Ancient Greek Vessel

The most complete ancient Greek ship ever found has arrived in Portsmouth to be rebuilt by the Mary Rose Trust. The timbers of the 2,500-year-old Greek trading vessel have arrived at the c for what is expected to be a 10-year programme of preservation and reconstruction.

The 60-ft ship will be pieced back together by marine archaeologists. After being discovered in silt off the coast of Sicily, the 700 sodden timbers were submerged in water-soluble wax for four years, in a process similar to that used to conserve the hull of the Mary Rose. They were then freeze-dried in a huge vacuum chamber and are now ready to be reassembled.

Archaeologists believe the craft was heading for Gela, then a Greek colony, when it was caught in a storm and sank with its cargo. Discovered in 1988 about 800 metres from the coastline off the city of Gela in Sicily, the ship dates to between 500 and 430 BC.

It was found in several layers of silt at a depth of five metres (16 feet), but wasn't excavated until summer 2004 when some 700 timbers and fragments were raised to the surface.

ORCi Worlds Day 1

After yesterday's skippers meeting and the welcome party for the crews, everybody was anxious to start racing, although the wind was gusting up to 30 knots again this morning (Monday 23 June). At about 3 o'' clock the race committee boat took down the postponement flag and the boat left the marina in Mikrolimano. First windward/leeward race started at 15:45 with north winds of about 20 knots. There was a general recall as everybody was eager to have a good start. In the first weathermark the first boat to cross was OLA from Croatia, a GS46R. Seconds behind it, it was the Greek SUPERFAST RACING (Farr52, ex chessie-racing), and then the other Farr52, BRAVE. In that order they finished at about 17:00. The wind then settled down to 15 knots and the second race started at 18:00 with too many boats having an early start and some crashing to each other, with no significant damage.

ORC Worlds Prepared

With the start of the ORC International World Championship this Sunday, June 22, organised by HORC, Hellenic Offshore Racing Club, a fleet of 55 boats and crews has begun assembling in and around Mikrolimano area, in the Saronic Gulf. With the wind gusting to over 25 knots, the practise race scheduled for today is going to be spectacular as well as challenging.
Racing starts tommorow with 2 windward/leeward races in the Saronic Gulf.

ORCi World Championship

Just a few days remain for the start of the ORCi World Championship to be held in Athens Greece, races run from 23 – 28 June 2008. The race is organized by the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC) and sponsored by Amita Motion and Wind Hellas.

55 boats from 9 countries are expected to take their place at the start line to compete in what is expected to be a thrilling event. The Saronic Gulf, which hosted the Olympic Games of 2004, is renowned for its excellent weather conditions with steady winds and clear blue waters, just a short distance from Athens’ city center and its numerous sights and highlights. The base of the yachts, the lively and picturesque Mikrolimano port, caters for all needs and tastes ranging from traditional fish taverns to hip bars and clubs as well as shops, grocery stores and yachting gear. The first race is scheduled for Monday 23rd June 2008.