Three races run this weekend in the Saronic Gulf, Greece. The approximate 100 mile offshore race to Andros Island, started yesterday, Friday 25 of May, afternoon, with light and fickle winds, with a record fleet, the largest of the past ten years. There was no wind during the race, even when the boats cross passed the Kafireas Strait, an area renowned for its strong winds and currents. The first boat to finish and take the line honours was N. Lazos'and P. Livas' OPTIMUM3 - SUPERFAST (Farr52), shortly after 9:00 am (Local Time) this morning. Tomorrow, an inshore race is scheduled, for additional points.YCG Sailing Week also started yesterday afternoon, ending Monday 28 of May, with a maximum number of 9 windward/leeward and coastal races. Light W-SW winds that later on shifted about 60 degrees north, gave a hard time to tacticians and navigators. There were two windward / leeward races for the IMS and IRC fleets, both won by GUAPA - FOLLI FOLLIE (IMS) and OKYALOS XV (IRC). For today, there were three W/L races scheduled to start at 10:00, but due to lack of wind the Race Committee postponed the start for 11:00 local time. The first race finally started at 12:40 with a light W-SW breeze of about 10 knots, giving advantage to the right hand side of the course. Some boats sailed as far as the layline for maximum gains, but the wind shifted at the weathermark.
A third regatta consisting of three short offshore races, Mavri Yitha, started today, at 14:00 local time, for IMS and ORC Club yachts. The start line was nearby the YCG Sailing Week course, enjoying the same weather conditions. The fleet heads to Aigina Island, a beautiful island in the southern part of the Saronic Gulf. Tomorrow the boats will head to Poros Island, and on Monday the third and final leg will start from Poros Isl. finishing at Piraeus.
