With a grand celebration in Marathokampos, Samos, the anniversary 25th Aegean Regatta came to an end, following a journey that brought together the sea and sport with the people, cultural and maritime heritage, gastronomy, and the living traditions of the Aegean islands.
During a moving yet equally hopeful Closing Ceremony, the prizes were awarded to the winners, with the yacht Aristofani, skippered by Nikos Synouris and Simo Kampouridis, making an impressive final push to claim victory in both races of the final day — the coastal race and the windward-leeward race — securing the trophy in the Performance category.
In the Sport 1 category, Meliploe built a lead from the very beginning and, in the final coastal race in Samos, simply maintained its advantage to take the overall victory. In the other two categories, Sport 2 and Non Spinnaker, Dragon and Bo Braya took the lead from the start and held on to it until the finish.
Of particular significance was the parade of traditional boats, which took place alongside the final race. It substantially enriched the programme of AEGEAN REGATTA 2026 and further highlighted the living maritime heritage of the Aegean. The images of the traditional boats sailing off the coast of Marathokampos were truly spectacular.
The Closing Ceremony was held in the presence of the Mayor of Western Samos, Themistoklis Papatheofanous, and representatives of the local authorities. The Secretary General for the Aegean and Island Policy, Fotis Maggos, congratulated the crews for their seamanship and the organisers for an exceptional regatta. He then handed over the regatta flag to ASIATh Rhodes, which will host the 2027 edition, and announced the route of Aegean Regatta 2027, scheduled to take place from 22 to 28 August, following the route Lakki, Leros – Lipsi – Kos – Rhodes, offering yet another wonderful journey across the Aegean Sea.
The Winners of Aegean Regatta 2026
Performance Category
Aristofani – Skippers: Nikos Synouris – Simo Kampouridis
Invictus – Katopsis Construction – Skipper: Giorgos Papadopoulos
Anateloussa Afroditi – Skipper: Giorgos Avgerinos
Sport 1 Category
Meliploe – Skipper: Thanasis Piniaris
Fidelio – Skipper: Achilleas Triantafyllidis
Courrier Du Coeur – Skipper: Andrei Arbuzov
Sport 2 Category
Dragon – Skipper: Giannis Mytakidis
Isidoros – Skipper: Vangelis Lianos
Das Boot – Skipper: Dimitris Stamatas
Non Spinnaker Category
Bo Braya – Skipper: Lachezar Bratoev
Cape Horn – Skipper: Mehmet Nazmi Nurez
Athos – Skipper: Dimitris Konnairelis
Speaking to the crews, Konstantinos Kalogeropoulos, President of the Offshore Sailing Committee of the Hellenic Sailing Federation, noted:
“Beyond the participants and the island communities, whom I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart, the successful completion of Aegean Regatta 2026 was largely due to the people who worked quietly and professionally at sea.
Special recognition should be given to the Race Committee, headed by Giannis Kleidonas, as well as to the experienced professionals who staffed it. Under particularly demanding weather conditions, with strong winds and challenging racing areas, they managed to organise starts in remote and windswept parts of the Aegean, safely handle every challenge, and ensure the smooth and successful completion of all the races.”
Regarding the traditional boat race, which took place alongside the final race, he added:
“The Aegean, however, is not only a great racing arena. It is images, memories and living tradition. It is the traditional fishing boats found in every harbour and bay, the vessels that for centuries have connected the islands and their people.
Cultural heritage is not limited to monuments, museums and buildings; it also includes traditional boats, which are an integral part of the maritime identity of the Aegean.”
The Offshore Sailing Committee of the Hellenic Sailing Federation considers traditional kaikia to represent an important maritime and sailing heritage, which is an integral part of Greece’s cultural heritage. For this reason, it will continue to support them and every effort aimed at preserving and highlighting this unique cultural legacy of the Aegean.
The contribution of the volunteers and supporters of the event was also exceptional. The Samos Rescue Team, Samos Branch, provided valuable assistance throughout the regatta, making a significant contribution to the safety of the crews and the smooth running of the event.
The Aegean Regatta, which followed the route Limnia (Volissos), Chios – Fournoi – Agathonisi – Marathokampos, Samos, is organised by the General Secretariat for the Aegean and Island Policy of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, in cooperation with the Offshore Sailing Committee of the Hellenic Sailing Federation and the sailing clubs ASIATh Rhodes, Mytilene Sailing Club, LOIATH Mytilene, Samos Nautical Club and Chios Nautical Club. The coordinating club for 2026 was PEKEV Chios.
The media sponsors of the event are ERT3, ERT North Aegean, ERT South Aegean, ERA Sport 101.8 and Skipper ONDECK Magazine.
