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

The warm and shiny day started with a wind less than 5 knots from western directions. At about 11:00 local time, the race committee was at sea, examining every possibility to run at least one race. It was 14:27 that the first race started. Everybody was eager to start, so eager that there was a general recall. Race restarted at 14:38 and this time it was 4 or 5 boats early, over the sail course (OCS). The majority of the rest of the fleet preffered the pin end, a decision that proved horribly wrong. The wind shifted about 10 degrees after a while, favouring the right hand side of the course. The leeward boats had never a chance to tack and head for the wind. First boat at the weather mark was PITHECUSA. In the downwind leg, the faster boats managed to sail faster, so they crossed the downwind gates in this order: DIESEL, OLA, PITHECUSA. The course had already changed according to the shift, but still, most boats followed the starboard tack. First crossing the finish line and taking line honours was OLA from Croatia.

ORCi Worlds 2008

Todays races cancelled, after 5 and a half hours of waiting, just to be sure for the Race Committee that there is no chance of a wind blow.

Although the northern winds have fallen to a force of 4 or 5, the local see breeze is so strong this time of the year, in the oposite direction, that leaves no wind in the Saronic Gulf.

So now, leader in the overall is the Greek MELITI IV of George Andreadis, followed by Italian LIBERTINE, having Francesco De Angelis from Prada Luna Rossa in its force.

The two boats are separated by 7 points, but third overall SUPERFAST RACING is less than a point behind!

ORCi Worlds

The first race of the day started normally on time at 12:13 local time. The Meltemi was blowing at around 20 knots. The heat was on during the starting procedure. Although the wind was strong, there were shifts and careful tactics were required. At the weathermark, first was OLA, then SUPERFAST RACING and then DIESEL, that was forced to retire due to a damaged mainsail. In this order they finished the race. The second windward/leeward race started right after the last boat finished, at 14:03 local time. In the downwind leg, it was DIESEL that came first, followed by SUPERFAST RACING and then OLA. At that point, GOLF lost her mast but fortunately without anyone hurt. Some strong gusts forced many boats to broach, while sailing downwind.

Greek Sails on their Way to Victory

The ORCi World Championship organized by HORC, begun with excellent prospects for the Greek sails. Two Greek yachts are placed in the first 5 places so far after the completion of 2 races proving that they have the ability to make an impressive finish and win a distinctive place at the end of the regatta hosted in the Saronic Gulf.

George Andreadis MELITI IV won the 1st place in the 2nd race and is so far 2nd overall and Nick Lazos and Pericles Livas SUPERFAST RACING won 2nd place in the 1st race and is 4th overall so far. After the completion of the two inshore races the Italian yacht SAGOLA skippered by F. Pierobon is placed 1st overall.

The first day of the Chamionship was very exciting and trying for boats and crew due to the strong winds of the Saronic Gulf (6 - 7 Bft). The sailing conditions were difficult for windward - leeward racing and that was the cause of the 2 hours postponement of the races.

ORCi Worlds, Offshore Race

The offshore race of the 150 nautical miles started on time, at 11:00 local time. The meltemi, the local wind, was blowing to over 25 knots, gusting up to 30 knots. The boats started without collisions, although one could feel the heat from miles away. From the starting line outside Mikrolimano, the boats were sailing by the shore, providing a spectacular view. First to the weathermark was the Greek SUPERFAST RACING, then the Croatian OLA and then the Greek DIESEL. Right behind them, many boats around 40 feet, came together to the mark, resulting to a total mess. Many boats did not have room to pass, so they had to bear away, others touched the mark and had to make a complete turn and the rest were just seeking their way through the other boats of the fleet. From that point, the boats headed for mark 2 with the spinnakers on. OLA had a spectacular broach, all the boats over 50 feet were just flying over the waves. The rest of the fleet is following making incredible speeds in the flat sea. The fleet is expected to finish the race in the first hours of Wednesday.

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.

Elpida Cup

A perfect day started with bright sunshine and a moderate breeze of 12-14 knots. No less than 33 Greek Olympic medallists gathered in YCG beautiful veranda to be initiated into sail racing. Among them, Sofia Mpekatorou and Aimilia Tsoulfa, Nikos Kaklamanakis, Tasos Mpountouris, Leonidas Pelekanakis, Aimilios Papathanasiou, Takis Kouligkas, Elias Chatzipavlis and Gavrilis Tasos were the “experts” that had to take the rest of the Olympic medallists to crew with them. No doubt they got into sailing easily. After the briefing they went to the marina and were allocated to the 14 Platu 25s boats. Greek sailing World and European champions were filling in the crews. They went out for about an hour to practise. The race started at 13:10 local time, in the waters in front of the terrace of Pireas Sailing Club, which at the time was full of people. The Platus did two windward / leeward races in a spectacular form. The crews undoubtedly had a great time and tracked media attention. The race was very close to the shore.

The rest of the IMS fleet had an inshore race of 12 miles in a southern course. The weather conditions were the same over there as well. The prize-giving ceremony was held later Sunday night, where the cup sponsor, Alpha Trust mutual funds, handed in the cheque to the representatives of the Friends' Association for Children with Cancer 'ELPIDA'.

Elpida Cup

Elpida (Hope) Cup is a charity race named after Friends' Association for Children with Cancer 'ELPIDA' ", which was established in 1990 in order to help and support sick children suffering from cancer, as well as their families.

The event includes one coastal race, held today, and an inshore round the marks race planned for tommorow. Crews participating must consist of one male and one female only. The boats were divided in two IMS groups, a total number of 22 boats, and there were another 14 Platu 25 in a separate class.

The coastal race started with ideal sailing sonditions, a southwestern breeze of 10 to 12 knots. The 22 mile course was very exciting with wind shifts and close racing. The first boat to finish was a Bashford designed 40 footer that took less than 3 hours to cross the finish line.

XIX North Sporades Race

The North Sporades Race attracts boats from central and northern Greece for two days of racing. This year took place from 26 to 27 of May and had two legs: Skiathos to Steni Vala, 26 n.m. and Steni Vala to Skopelos, 21 n.m. The boats passed by the beautiful coastline of the islands. The weather conditions on the other hand were tricky enough to provide challenging tactics. This year the organizing club, Yacht Club of Volos, had its 25^th anniversary, so the race had a more festive character.

There were 4 classes, one included 10 IMS racing boats and three classes of 11 boats each, for the rest of the fleet. The bad weather of the previous days setback, providing happy sailing for the crews. On Saturday however, the light winds forced 29 boats to DNF. All boats had entered the picturesque port of Steni Vala at 23:00 local time.

The next day was a payback, with a southern breeze of 10 - 16 knots that helped the boats to finish early after just 4 hours of sailing. Sunday night at the prizegiving ceremony everybody had a great time. Winners are OXYGONO, ANTHROPON ERGA and ALPHABANK VORAS.

Heavy rains and prevailing winds returned on Monday, giving a hard time to boats trying to return to their home ports.

YCG Sailing Week

Monday 28^th of May, final day of YCG Sailing Week, started with heavy rain and unstable weather conditions. The Race Committee had to wait until noon to cancel the races for the day.

During the three days of the Sailing Week, 5 windward / leeward races took place in the Saronic Gulf, under the spectacular view of the Acropole of Athens, and one offshore race, 33 nautical miles long. The course was designed so to be interesting and provide participants with a chance to apply tactics and gains points. Last boat finished after 5 hours of non-stop sailing. Apart from Monday, the weather conditions were excellent, sunshine and breeze from 8 to 15 knots.

IMS Overall

1. MELITI IV (G. Andreadis) 1 3 1 2 1 2.5 (10.50)

2. GUAPA- FOLLI- FOLLIE (E. Tsohatzi) 3 1 3 1 3 3.75 (14.75)

3. ZANTINO-TIM (P. Strouzas) 2 2 5 3 2 1.25 (15.25)

IRC Overall

1. OKYALOS XV BMW (D. Deligiannis) 1 1 1 3 2 1,25 (9,25)

2. GUAPA FOLLI FOLLIE (E. Tsohatzi) 3 2 4 1 3 3,75 (16,75)

3. ZANTINO - TIM (P. Strouzas) 2 3 5 4 4 2,50 (20,50)

YCG Sailing Week

The third racing day of YCG Sailing Week started today, Sunday 27 of May, at 11:00 local time. Both IMS and IRC fleets have an offshore race to complete, inside the Saronic Gulf. SW winds of 12 knots and temperatures as high as 27 degrees Celcius, provide an ideal scenery for the race. Yesterday, the Race Committee completed three windward / leeward races. George Andreadis' MELITI IV (GS42R) won two of the races and is now first overall, with GUAPA - FOLLI FOLLIE (X-362) following behind in the IMS. Three points separate the three top boats in the overall, with ZANTINO - TIM (X-362) being the second runner-up.

Busy Weekend in Saronic, Greece

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.

Ship Sinks in Santorini, Greece

The cruise ship Sea Diamond, with 1156 passengers aboard, is sinking off the coast of the Greek island of Santorini. There are also up to 391 crew. The Greek-flagged Sea Diamond issued a distress signal after running aground and taking on water, according to local news reports. Passengers were reported to be quickly boarding lifeboats and abandoning the ship.

More than a dozen ships and five navy rescue helicopters were helping with the evacuation effort and transferring the passengers safely to Pireaus port. Many of the passengers on board were from Germany, France and the United States.

"Some passengers have already reached the island and no-one has been hurt," an official at the Santorini coastguard told Reuters. "The boat was attempting to moor but ran aground in shallow waters," a local boatman said. "Weather conditions were good, but the ship was taking on water and has listed heavily," he added.

The ship, run by Louis Cruise Lines, left the port of Piraeus on Monday and was due to return on Friday, officials said.