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Let me start unconventionally, because I need to set the tone. See, I love the sea. I could swim for hours, gaze endlessly at the horizon — it calms me, transports me. But I do have one tiny issue: waves. Not when I’m in the water, mind you, but when I’m on it. On anything that floats — big boat, small boat, doesn’t matter—the gentle rocking motion that so many find relaxing and charming, for me is a waking nightmare. My stomach knots, cold sweat takes over, and I cease to function. It’s not fear, not at all. I’m just one of those unfortunate souls cursed with motion sickness. So, when the invitation came to attend the start of the Aegean 600 sailing rally, the initial thrill and excitement quickly gave way to a flicker of anxiety: Will I survive this time? But as an eternal optimist, I said yes immediately and began my psychological prep. I took precautions, of course — and received some precious assistance in the form of a miracle pill from the ever-helpful Mrs. Stavroula, who welcomed me and the rest of the press aboard the luxurious yacht chartered especially for the occasion by Rolex. And so, we set sail.
We started from Lavrio and the Olympic Marine, with our boat heading towards open waters near Cape Sounion, where dozens of racing yachts—59 in total — maneuvered gracefully around us. All of them built with state-of-the-art materials, designed for peak speed and endurance. One condition only: there must be wind. Without wind, everything stalls. You sit stranded in open sea, waiting, watching, hoping for the sails to fill again and push you forward. Luckily, on Sunday, July 6, the wind was strong and steady — ideal conditions, I was told by seasoned sailors. I also learned that the AEGEAN 600 is among the international races with the most yachts flying foreign flags, which is a huge plus for Greece’s global visibility.
Our ride wasn’t long. The yacht cut swiftly through the water, the sea spray and breeze were invigorating, everything was going well. That is, until we passed the iconic Cape Sounion and admired the Temple of Poseidon from afar, perched high above the cliffs, when suddenly the engines stopped and we began to drift. That was our final destination. Now all that was left was to wait for the official race start, watching from a respectful distance. And that’s when my personal nightmare began. The moment the engines went silent, the boat began to sway with the waves. Nothing dramatic, no stormy seas, but for me, even this was tough. For me, however, someone who gets dizzy even when supposedly relaxing on an inflatable mattress, things got tough. I survived, of course, but sadly, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I would have liked.
Luckily, after a little while, like magic, all the boats aligned. It was stunning — watching them maneuver into what looked like a perfect straight line across a (what felt to me like turbulent) sea. Then a horn sounded. That was it. The yachts took off — beginning their journey through a 600-mile course across the Aegean, giving the race its name: Aegean 600.
As you’ve probably guessed, my participation in this adventure ended rather unceremoniously, right there at the starting point. That moment, however, marked the beginning of the real journey for the competing crews, racing from July 6 to 12 in one of the most demanding offshore regattas in the world.
What exactly is the route these teams follow in the Aegean 600 rally? The 600-nautical-mile course covers a huge part of the Aegean Sea. As I mentioned earlier, the start takes place at Homer’s sanctuary, before the columns of the Temple of Poseidon in Sounio. From there, boats head to Milos, sail past the breathtaking Santorini Caldera, then continue south to Kassos, passing Karpathos to port before reaching Rhodes. The voyage continues to Kos and the sponge-diving island of Kalymnos, with numerous charming smaller islands along the way, each with its own story. They then pass Pharmakonisi and Agathonisi, before entering the Ikarian Sea, known for its strong winds and thrilling conditions. After Patmos, the mystical island of Saint John, comes the cosmopolitan Mykonos and sacred Delos, birthplace of Apollo. The final stretch includes Gyaros and Kea, before competitors once again glimpse the Temple of Poseidon, marking the end of this legendary sailing race.
And here’s where Rolex comes in. Throughout its history, the Swiss brand has shown unwavering support for endeavors and sports driven by passion, excellence, precision, the pursuit of perfection, and team spirit. Rolex’s link with sailing dates back at least 71 years, with the brand supporting international regattas and iconic races like the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, Rolex Fastnet Race, Rolex Middle Sea Race, and many more. The AEGEAN 600 is organized by the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC) in collaboration with the Region of Attica and Olympic Marine, with support from the Greek Ministry of Sports. This is the second year that Rolex is participating as Official Timepiece of the event.
As part of its partnership, Rolex Hellas hosted an engaging evening event by the sea at Mikrolimano. Selected guests — clients and friends of the brand — attended a talk titled: “Exploring Offshore Racing.”
Olympic medallist Pavlos Kagialis, Sophia Vachari Tsouvelekaki and Ιro Vachari Kampani of Rolex Hellas, and Ioannis Maragoudakis, president of the AEGEAN 600 Organizing Committee and a veteran sailor and ocean navigator, at the Rolex Aegean 600 event. (photo: Panoulis)
The main highlight was Pavlos Kagialis, Olympic bronze medalist and one of Greece’s top sailors, who spoke candidly in conversation with journalist Gerasimos Gerolymatos. He shared his personal journey — from his early years in sailing to his landmark partnership with Panagiotis Mantis, forming one of the most successful duos in the sport. Kagialis emphasized the global reach of the AEGEAN 600 and how the large number of foreign entries elevates Greece’s status as a top-tier destination for competitive sailing.
Olympic medallist Pavlos Kagialis and journalist Gerasimos Gerolymatos during the public talk on the Aegean 600 sailing rally. (photo: Panoulis)
As for me? All’s well that ends well. I returned to dry land slightly seasick, yes — but full of vivid images and deep emotions. Aside from my little “issue,” my Aegean 600 experience was thrilling, enlightening, and deeply revitalizing. And Rolex’s impeccable hospitality certainly played a role in that.
What did I take away from this day at sea? A renewed respect and admiration for the salty-souled men and women who brave the waves and race across open waters. What they do is truly difficult, and often dangerous. I also confirmed — once and for all — that sailing is not my sport. Mountaineering, perhaps. Or anything that keeps both feet firmly on solid ground.
