The 59th Eurobank Andros International Sailing Race begins on Thursday, with 16 crews setting off from Vouliagmeni for the Cyclades island.
The opening leg of the competition covers 72 nautical miles and requires sailors to navigate the Kafireas strait, also known as Cavo D'Oro. The passage is historically the most difficult section of the race and frequently decides the outcome.
Deputy Sports Minister Yiannis Vroutsis, Philippos Stratos and Ioanna Stratou will signal the start of the race at 13:00. The event is organised by the Andros Yacht Club and the Yacht Club of Greece.
Olympic medalists compete
Vroutsis said athletes and crews making the crossing from Vouliagmeni to Andros, known as the captain of the Cyclades, would need to demonstrate seamanship, competitiveness, perseverance and respect for the sea.
He added that the mix of Olympic medalists, world champions and younger sailors provided an important message for the sport's future.
Olympic medalists Takis Mantis and Pavlos Kagialis are competing on Velos Eurobank Private Banking, while fellow medalist Kostas Manthos is skippering Giorgio.
Other boats on the starting line include Meliti, skippered by Stratis Andreadis; Pega Goulandris Bross Hellas, sailed by Dimitris Alevizakis and Eliza Karaoulani; and Stergios Leontaridis' Ellinixx Farr Away - Coral Odyssey - Perga from Thessaloniki.
The fleet also features Konstantinos Gretsios' Afroessa Kakitsis Sails, Doukas Palaiologos' Pete, Emmanouil Kondylis' Carbonita and triangle champion Alfonso Panagiotidis' Tre Irene.
They are joined by Michalis Kourtesis on Seahawk Black Jack, Andros Yacht Club president Faidon Tamvakakis on Frakly Mydear, Alexandros Kedros on Larne and Alexander Sofalvi on Hattori Hanzo.
Decades of naval tradition
The race was established in 1967 by Ioannis V. Goulandris, who wanted to share his passion for sailing and involve the residents of Andros in the sport.
The island has a long history in Greek shipping, and the event serves to connect competitive sailing with that maritime heritage.
The 72-nautical-mile crossing to Chora of Andros remains a severe test for crews and boats, demanding they confront the wind, the Aegean Sea and the Kafireas strait.
