The short offshore race of the North Aegean Sailing Week / Hellenic National Offshore Championship started from Skopelos port in medium 8-10 kts northern wind, heading east to Adelfia islet complex, to be left to starboard.

The mile-long strait between St. George islet and Skopelos, a couple of miles after the starting line, proved tricky to sail, with sudden puffs, huge shifts and windless zones.

Exiting the strait, a huge 40-degree header made the tacticians’ call crucial, as the wind near Alonissos’ land proved steady and stronger, given a bad surprise for the yachts that chose the offshore route, only to find themselves well behind at the end of the 10-mile long upwind leg to the first rounding.

The second half of the race back to the finish in Skopelos port proved equally demanding, as the deteriorating breeze and St. George’s strait intricacies claimed the best of the tacticians’ abilities and the crews’ readiness.

The very well-sailed Czech First 40.7 Three Sisters scored a first place in ORC class and is now the leader of the North Aegean Sailing Week, open to entries of any nation. The ORC>700 class, which sailed two W/L races, was dominated by the Oceanis 351 Medousa II, which managed two first places. In IRC, the Farr 52 Optimum 3 achieved a majestic victory, with a 26 sec margin of corrected time. The Judel/Vrolijk 49 Alphabank is the current leader of the Hellenic Championship, open only to Greek-based teams.