OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM participated successfully this weekend in the 3 rd HORC
Cup 2012. Hellenic Offshore Racing Club is the organizer of the Aegean Rally, the top Greek
event that this Year runs its 49th edition and is one of the oldest regattas in the Med. HORC
Cup is an inshore affair, racing around buoys covering all points of sail requiring crews to
perform timely all kinds of maneuvers and avoid costly mistakes. The OPTIMUM Team
posted 1,1,3,5 in the four races conducted over the weekend and finished 2 nd in the IRC
division. Also, the team proudly presented the second of its sponsors, international law
firm Holman Fenwick Willan that alongside Aspida Maritime Security support the Optimum
Team this season.
"We put a lot of hard work especially on windy Saturday (up to 25 kts of wind!) and we were
rewarded with 1,1 results. We also managed speeds in excess of 16 knots that left us with
smiling faces. Light and shifty winds prevailed on Sunday, crew work errors cost us at least
a place in race 3 and a major wind shift in race 4 pushed us further behind in IRC handicap
5th place. GANT, an X-35 footed did a better job on the total count and got the 1 st place.
Most importantly we raced our new Quantum made Mainsail, which is the first square top
in Greece. We did a decent job trimming it, but we need to upgrade our trimming technique
to this new sail shape. Exciting times for the OPTIMUM team that always moves forward",
says crew boss and pitman Nick Fougias.
The OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM line-up for the weekend consisted of Kostis Afentakis,
Giannis Kapos, George Eliopoulos, George Panagiotidis, Nikos Apostolakis, Nikos Fougias,
Kostas Makridis, Alexis Chrysochoidis, Manolis Markogiannakis, Patroklos Tachtatzis, Manos
Roudas, Lambros Nakis, Nikos Lazos and Pericles Livas. The 15th crew lineup was filled by
Thanos Papasideris on Saturday and Panos Moraitis on Sunday.
Athens, Sunday 25th March 2012, 21:00.
Less than optimal performance at Hydra Race 2012
OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM competed in the first important regatta of the Greek circuit
posting an 8th place result in the IRC division. Hydra race is a coastal/offshore race that
includes 2 stages of 36 nautical miles from Faliro to Hydra Race and back. Both stages were
conducted under very light and unstable wind conditions compressing the fleet more than
once during each stage. OPTIMUM 3 crossed the finishing line 1st in IRC in both stages but
fell victim of the poor conditions to post 8 and 8 on the scoreboard on handicap.
"The result does not reflect the level of preparation and readiness of the team. The team
has put a huge effort in all areas before the race and put down a great fight during both
stages but was denied to deliver due to the weather pattern that prevailed. However,
we managed to showcase the first of our new sponsors for 2012; ASPIDA, an international
maritime security company and race test all yacht systems after executing major winter
maintenance and overhauling program. We look forward to post better results in the
coming regattas, elevate team spirit and please our sponsors. Getting on a podium position
feels better and helps in all areas!" says sun burned co-skipper Pericles Livas.
The crew that represented OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM and opened the season
consisted of Kostis Afentakis, Giannis Kapos, Yorgos Eliopoulos, George Panagiotidis,
Nikos Apostolakis, Nikos Fougias, Kostas Makridis, Alexis Chrysochoidis, Adonis Assimakos,
Gerassimos Petratos, Alkis Romeos, Manos Roudas, Nikos Lazos and Pericles Livas. The 15th
crew lineup was filled by Panos Moraitis on stage 1 and Pat Tachtatzis on stage 2.
Moschato, Tuesday 31st January 2012, 18:00.
OPTIMUM + QUANTUM = MAXIMUM Performance!
OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM and QUANTUM SAIL DESIGN GROUP finalized the
agreement to team up together from 2012 and beyond. It was a long process that started
last July when the OPTIMUM team decided that in 2012 there would be a need for new sails.
Since 1994 the team has cooperated smoothly and successfully with an international sail loft
with great results. Sails are the engine of a racing sailing yacht, the crew is the driver and
the sail designer and the loft behind him is the mechanic and his assistants. In car racing we
all understand it that all these people must form a team to be successful. In yacht racing it is
simply the same.
"QUANTUM SAIL DESIGN GROUP internationally has delivered great results the last
few years and not by coincidence but rather through change of ownership, philosophy,
people and hard work. The Greek loft also invested heavily into the business and today is
considered equal among equals within the Quantum Group. These changes allowed us to
feel comfortable to make the switch since we are convinced we will have direct access to the
latest developments internationally, in a better way than before, and the full support in our
home port rather than having to ship abroad sails back and forth. Plus we support the Greek
economy that way too!" says enthused OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM co-owner Nikos
Lazos.
Pat Tachtatzis, sail designer for Quantum Group commented: "OPTIMUM YACHT
RACING TEAM is for a long time now is the team that stands out in the Greek scene but
internationally as well. They not only campaign successfully the fastest and most demanding
racing yacht "OPTIMUM 3"(Farr 52 OD) but they do it the way it should be; working hard as
a team. When they approached us we were pleased for the opportunity to present how
much we have progressed. We knew that the OPTIMUM guys were very loyal to another
well known sailmaker the last 17 years! But we knew also that they are open minded and
always looking for the OPTIMUM solutions. Nowadays, QUANTUM GROUP delivers what
they promise 100% and provide continuous support. And that is what OPTIMUM will get! At
the same time we will have the chance to sail with them, learn from them and get valuable
feedback that will allow us to provide more OPTIMUM – QUANTUM solutions to all."
Stay tuned for coming news and announcements! Let's go for it!
OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM and QUANTUM SAIL DESIGN GROUP finalized the
agreement to team up together from 2012 and beyond. It was a long process that started
last July when the OPTIMUM team decided that in 2012 there would be a need for new sails.
Since 1994 the team has cooperated smoothly and successfully with an international sail loft
with great results. Sails are the engine of a racing sailing yacht, the crew is the driver and
the sail designer and the loft behind him is the mechanic and his assistants. In car racing we
all understand it that all these people must form a team to be successful. In yacht racing it is
simply the same.
"QUANTUM SAIL DESIGN GROUP internationally has delivered great results the last
few years and not by coincidence but rather through change of ownership, philosophy,
people and hard work. The Greek loft also invested heavily into the business and today is
considered equal among equals within the Quantum Group. These changes allowed us to
feel comfortable to make the switch since we are convinced we will have direct access to the
latest developments internationally, in a better way than before, and the full support in our
home port rather than having to ship abroad sails back and forth. Plus we support the Greek
economy that way too!" says enthused OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM co-owner Nikos
Lazos.
Pat Tachtatzis, sail designer for Quantum Group commented: "OPTIMUM YACHT
RACING TEAM is for a long time now is the team that stands out in the Greek scene but
internationally as well. They not only campaign successfully the fastest and most demanding
racing yacht "OPTIMUM 3"(Farr 52 OD) but they do it the way it should be; working hard as
a team. When they approached us we were pleased for the opportunity to present how
much we have progressed. We knew that the OPTIMUM guys were very loyal to another
well known sailmaker the last 17 years! But we knew also that they are open minded and
always looking for the OPTIMUM solutions. Nowadays, QUANTUM GROUP delivers what
they promise 100% and provide continuous support. And that what will OPTIMUM get! At
the same time we will have the chance to sail with them, learn from them and get valuable
feedback that will allow us to provide more OPTIMUM – QUANTUM solutions to all."
Stay tuned for coming news and announcements! Let's go for it!
The first 2012 official OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM meeting concluded a while ago at
co-skipper's Nick Lazos house in Glyfada. 22 men out of 30 team members showed up, and
enjoyed a delicious homemade dinner lovingly prepared by Nick's wife, Peni. The dinner
was followed by the Team's New Year cake where Gerry Petratos proved to be the lucky
man of the year.
Looking back in 2011, we competed in 7 Regattas. We won 5 of them including the National
Championship and finished 2nd and 4th in the remaining two. Out of 31 individual races, we
finished in the top 3 in 24 races! Impressive record as a matter of fact…
For the new season, the news announced by the Team managers/skippers Lazos-Livas,
produced happy faces around the packed room. The OPTIMUM Team is not holding
back and actions were taken to keep the Team on the move: 1) Decided to switch sail
manufacturer and started a new extremely promising co-operation, 2) Ordered already, a
new mainsail, the first square-top in Greece, 3) finalized a sponsorship deal for 1/3 of the
yearly total and 4) outlined a comprehensive racing schedule for the 2012 season.
These actions prescribe the return of Team OPTIMUM to international competition and
specifically to the ROLEX MIDDLE SEA RACE in Malta in October. In addition, participation in
the 49th Aegean Rally in July and the Nationals in Syros in August are guaranteed alongside
other competitive regattas that will maximize the return on investment of our supporters.
2012 seems to have all the OPTIMUM ingredients to make everyone involved in the effort
seriously happy.
Stay tuned for coming news and announcements! Let's go for it!
Athens, Monday 16th January 2012, 20:00.
Wow! Back From Abu Dhabi!
The group of 5 OPTIMUM Team members including skippers Nick Lazos and Perikles Livas
returned from Abu Dhabi Destination Village, the 2nd stopover port of Volvo Ocean Race
2011-12. Trimmer George Panagiotidis, pitman Nick Apostolakis and grinder Manos Roudas
holding press pass enjoyed a 4-day sailing extravaganza monitoring the evolution of the
top Offshore Sailing event. The level has risen from every aspect; nobody can pick the
winner of the 9 month marathon, not even the 3 favorites. The competition is unthinkable.
Organizers Volvo has placed immense efforts to turn this rugged sporting event to a show
capable to attract huge international audiences. Imagine the skippers arriving to their
boats for the in-port race on camels on a parade with their crews with music and live
commentating! It is done now and dusted! For those 66 men competing is as hard as ever
at sea but on land too!
The boats are amazing! We could hardly understand the systems operating the huge rig and
powerful sailplan but when we asked the how and why the answers we got were simple,
brilliant and reliable. Down below there has been an effort to improve comfort for body
and mind in relative terms by adding a bit of space and a bit of white paint. We guess happy
crews perform better! The deck design and layout have evolved this time around not by
the designer but mainly from the crew themselves. As such, the 3 Juan boats seem totally
different looking at the deck and address the crew experiences and priorities. We did not
understand the logic behind the different solutions they have arrived. We guess it is due to
that we have not experienced falling off waves at 40 knots on the speedo! Yet…
At Manos Roudas's blog sailingwhat.com and Panos Douros's
istioselida.com who
was also attending, you can read a lot more interesting and detailed descriptions. For the
OPTIMUM point of view the target with this trip was to stay tuned with all the developments
at the top end of our sport and try to elevate the way we play our game too. In that sense,
we feel we advanced our thinking process and the results will hopefully be obvious the new
season. Happy New Year for all!
Marina Alimou, Thursday 12 January 2012, 09:15.
Team Optimum visits Volvo Ocean Race!
Team Optimum is always seeking new experiences in offshore sailing races and technology update from high performance professional sailing teams. So, as the Volvo Ocean Race will visit Abu Dhabi this weekend we will set off to the Emirates and pay them a visit. We are going to watch the in-port race on Saturday and the Leg 3 start on Sunday.
Stay tuned for update on our experiences here and at Manos Roudas' blog sailingwhat.com.
Pireaus, Sunday 27th November 2011, 18:00.
Race 4, (last one) Winter Series 2011!
The conclusion of the last race found PROVEZZA powered by OPTIMUM Team members in
2nd place on the "Winter Series 2011" scoreboard in the IRC division. The Racing Committee
managed two Windward-Leeward inshore races in northerly medium breeze and PROVEZZA
posted a 7th and 4th finishes, ending up in 4th place for the day. As such, PROVEZZA with
results 3, 2, 1 and 4 will settle for silver in the prestigious prize giving ceremony at the Yacht
Club Greece premises.
"It was not our day today. First race we were like bystanders, not really putting up a fight.
We ended up 7th. Second race we got our act together and tried to engage and ended up 4th.
And we paid the price as we should. JINETERA, by posting two 5th places, knocked us down
to 2nd place for the Winter Series for 0,5 points. It hurts, but worked well as a reminder
too, that you always have to try your best as we lost points - at least in three races - just a few seconds behind.
You can loose a reggata out of small details in crew work and... It is not over until it's over! Good lessons for the
coming season.", says OPTIMUM pitman George Eliopoulos full of optimism.
The PROVEZZA crew for this "ragged" Sunday, included OPTIMUM Team members George
Eliopoulos, Manolis Markogiannakis, Lambros Nakis, Nick Lazos, Kostas Makridis and owner/
skipper Roulis Ethnopoulos, his daughter and son Virginia and Spyros, his close friend and
associate Stathis Tsobanoglou and John Vogiatzoglou.
Pireaus, Sunday 20th November 2011, 18:00.
Race 3, (best so far) Winter Series 2011!
Today PROVEZZA powered by OPTIMUM Team members posted a 1st place result in the IRC
division. The nice, warm and sunny day but with light and variable winds allowed the Racing
Committee only the choice of a 10 mile inshore race around buoys. It was a nerve breaking
race with repeated huge lead changes due to that the wind was coming down in lanes all
over the place. As such, PROVEZZA is in 1st place after 3 races (3,2,1) and needs to do a good
job next Sunday to go home for the winter on a high.
"Leaving the port today, it was obvious that the forecast was 100% correct. Very light and
variable winds. So the crew instruction for the day was "stay calm, be patient". And we did
that for 2 hours 40 min.; when we had a poor start, when we rounded 10th mark 1, 3rd mark
2, 2nd marks 3,4,5 and when almost blew it all towards the finishing line falling back to 6th.
At this point, a wind lane pulled us ahead on top. This is the official version. You should
know too that yesterday I brought my 3 months old son to visit PROVEZZA and by total
coincidence I had to change his pamper on board! Yes, in conditions like this you need to be
calm and patient but luck will not harm you either and you have to work for it too!" declares
happy new OPTIMUM father Lambros Nakis.
The lucky PROVEZZA crew for this Sunday, included OPTIMUM Team members George
Eliopoulos, Manos Roudas, Lambros Nakis, Nick Lazos, Pericles Livas and owner/skipper
Roulis Ethnopoulos, his daughter and son Virginia and Spyros, his close friend and associate
Stathis Tsobanoglou and John Vogiatzoglou.
Pireaus, Sunday 13th November 2011, 19:00.
Race 2, Winter Series 2011!
It was cold, windy and wet, however PROVEZZA powered by OPTIMUM Team members
managed another good result, finishing in 2nd place in the IRC division. This Sunday we
did a 35 miles offshore course outlining a figure "8" around little islands Lagoussa and
Stachtoroe. The wind reached 28 kts and the temperature 7C! Fortunately, it did not snow
as it happened back in "Winter Series 1992" on this same race! PROVEZZA is in 2nd place in
the Winter Series standings after 2 races with good chances for improvement…
"It was fast and powerful sailing out there this Sunday and we put up a good fight for
3 hours and 41 min only to miss 1st place for 7 sec! That is sailing, sometimes you lose
sometimes you win for a few seconds after hours of hard effort. We know what we
can improve and we are hungry to get back for race 3 next Sunday. It feels very special
to skipper my new racing yacht with my daughter, son, all time friend Stathis and my
OPTIMUM teammates as crew", said Nikiforos (Roulis) Ethnopoulos, happy owner/driver/
skipper of PROVEZZA.
For this Sunday, crew included OPTIMUM Team members Manolis Markogiannakis, Manos
Roudas, Kostas Makridis, Nick Lazos, Tassos Dikastopoulos and owner/skipper Roulis
Ethnopoulos, his daughter and son Virginia and Spyros, his close friend and associate Stathis
Tsobanoglou and John Vogiatzoglou.
Kalamaki, Sunday 6th November 2011, 14:00.
Race 1, Winter Series 2011!
It was a great start for PROVEZZA powered by crew from OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM
finishing in 3rd place in the IRC division. The race was a 67 miles offshore challenge from
Faliro to leave Agios Georgios rocky island on starboard and back to Faliro. It took us a bit
more than 9 hours to reach the finish line and the condition were anything from bright
sunshine and very light winds at the start and half moon with up to 20 kts breeze at the
finish. Really enjoyable, that's Greece after all!
"It worked well, the result is leaving all doors open for the title in three weeks time and
more importantly we learned a lot about sailing this new racing boat. We finished 3rd
but only 4,5 minutes from the winner after 9 hours of racing. We think we have a good
understanding of what we can improve next Sunday although a bit of luck or steadier
conditions will be welcome. We had good spirit on board and all enjoyed the race even
though when it got dark it was chilly enough. Thumbs up for the winner yacht GANT for
their great performance" commented tactician Nick Lazos reacting after the results were
posted.
Crew included OPTIMUM Team members Manolis Markogiannakis, Manos Roudas, Kostas
Makridis, Nick Lazos, Pericles Livas and owner/skipper Roulis Ethnopoulos, his daughter
and son Virginia and Spyros, his close friend and associate Stathis Tsobanoglou and John
Vogiatzoglou. More news to come…
Kalamaki, Tuesday 1st November 2011, 18:00.
Season Ends, Winter Series Begins!
Following last year's success, ( OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM won 1st place overall
in "Winter Series 2010" with the yacht BRISOT (X-332)), the team will put a big effort to
deliver a good result with the yacht PROVEZZA (Farr 40 OD) that was recently acquired by
OPTIMUM Team member Roulis Ethnopoulos. The "Winter Series 2011" organized by Yacht
Club Greece takes place in the Saronic Gulf area over all 4 Sundays of November.
"We were anxiously waiting the invitation to race the Winter Series with PROVEZZA. She
is a scaled down version of OPTIMUM 3 (40 vs 52 ft), same designer, same builder and the
same layout and behavior. In all 6 races of the series, 5-7 OPTIMUM team members will be
part of the crew of 10. We feel it works well to campaign another yacht in the end of the
season since it refreshes our mindset and we get to enjoy more boat to boat competition at
40ft than we usually get at 52ft" suggested team leader Pericles Livas upon his return from
Cowes, England that he visited with Nick Lazos to evaluate possible upgrades and updates
for OPTIMUM 3 over the winter.
Skopelos, Saturday, August 13th 2011, 18:00.
Winners and National Champions!
After a 3-hour wait on the dock for the wind to show up, the Racing Committee decided
to cancel off the 2 remaining inshore races; therefore the results stand as of yesterday. As
such, by posting 2,1,1,2,1,2 in the 6 races completed OPTIMUM 3 is the outright winner
and 2011 National IRC Champion! The first and second place finishes do not reflect the
tight competition, the challenges of the Sporades race area, or the injuries and equipment
breakdowns OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM faced all week. It was just that the OPTIMUM
team was in such a good shape that any obstacle on the way was armoring the crew with
stubbornness for the hunting of victory.
«Our double victory in Skopelos, 1st in the Nationals & 1st in the International North Aegean
Sailing Week, with steady top results, felt as a great payback for all the time and effort that
we have invested for boat and crew preparation throughout 2011. The season has rolled
nicely since OPTIMUM 3 has finished 1st in 5 regattas and 4th in one, out of 6 regattas till
now. Fortunately, the lack of sponsorship has only affected the renewal of equipment,
and not the will to win or the fighting team spirit that the OPTIMUM team is well known
for. I would rather say that we reached a new higher level, by working harder and repairing
sails after every race we finished. The efforts for securing sponsorship are continuing and it
seems it will be critical for our participation in the Rolex Middle Sea Race in October», says
jib trimmer Alexis Chryssochoides speaking generally for the 2011 OPTIMUM YACHT RACING
TEAM season.
Skopelos, Friday, August 12th 2011, 19:30.
Unstoppable performance!
On Thursday, racing was cancelled due to gale force winds and the long offshore race
unfolded today in brisk conditions, moderating as the day progressed. OPTIMUM YACHT
RACING TEAM excelled again, posting a 2nd place finish extending even further at the top
of the scoreboard of the National IRC Championship. Calculating the math, it is still possible
that OPTIMUM 3 can lose 1st place, but judging the performance the team has achieved this
week, the other competitors should really fight for the remaining podium positions. The
Racing Committee is planning to deliver 2 more inshore races tomorrow and turn the lights
off after the prize giving ceremony the same night.
"It seemed like another day in the office for the outsiders following our team's efforts in
the race course from the dock, but that was not the case on board. 15 minutes from the
start, doing 12 knots under spinnaker in 20 knots of wind, an extra loud "BANG" froze
our breath. Seconds later we realized that the spinnaker pole track has exploded from
the mast and our chances to put a fight for the day were evaporating. The track is a vital
system for downwind sailing that should have never broke but OPTIMUM 3 is a powerful
racing machine and the stresses are immense… We nursed the situation, initially making
sure more equipment was not going to be lost, and then pursued a solution to allow us
continue for the day. The "patent" worked surprising well and pretty soon we were fully
back on delivering another good result. With today's 2nd place we are unstoppable for
the championship title but we placed 2 hours of hard labor for a more complete fix for
the breakdown that will allow us to compete tomorrow in the more stressful Windward-
Leeward races around buoys. As such, we are full on the job of closing the week on a high in
tomorrow's racing" analyzes grinder Antoine Drilias the team situation the night before the
last racing day.
Skopelos, Wednesday, August 10th 2011, 20:00.
It doesn't get better than this!
It was a great day for OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM today, the third day of the National
IRC National Championship. The Racing Committee managed to deliver 3 inshore races and
get right back on the program after yesterday's cancelation of racing due to lack of wind.
OPTIMUM 3 concluded the day with 1,2,1 finishes and extended her lead in the overall
standings up until now. Two more races to go, tomorrow the long offshore and on Saturday,
the final inshore will decide the 2011 National Champion.
"The whole team was thirsty for action today. After sitting out on the dock all day long
yesterday, due to "no wind, no racing", everyone was rested and ready to sail his best. As
such, we did an excellent job, posting 3 great results and at the same time enjoying a fine
racing day. We are leading on the score board and that put some stress on our shoulders
and we also have to deal with a leg injury of our bowman Alexis Maroungas. Depending
how his injury develops, we will decide his inclusion in the crew list for the remaining races.
We hope that we will be full on the job in hand, and deal with it the same way we did up till
now" describes midbowman Giannis Kapos who will be asked to perform as bowman in case
Alexis stays out.
Skopelos, Monday, August 8th 2011, 20:30.
First feels Better!
1st place finish for OPTIMUM 3 was the outcome in today's 2nd race. It took a bit more than
4,5 hours to cover the 28 n.m. short offshore race under light to medium wind conditions.
As such, with placings 2,1 OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM is leading the scoreboard in the
IRC National Championship. For tomorrow, 2 more inshore Windward-Leeward races are
scheduled and the OPTIMUM team is on fire.
"We got the lead from the start and stayed in front all the way to the finish. We extended
from the chasing boats in an effort to beat the IRC handicap we owe and at the same time
escape multiple windless spots. The crew worked hard every minute of the race and got
the result they wanted. Team spirit is high and we look for another set of solid results
tomorrow" says mainsail trimmer Lambros Nakis, who may become a father even before the
Championship concludes!
Skopelos, Sunday, August 7th 2011, 19:30.
Good Start!
With a 2nd place finish in the 1st race started OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM the challenge
for the IRC National Championship. The 2nd scheduled inshore Windward-Leeward race
of the race was abandoned a bit after the start due to a major wind shift and poor wind
strength.
"We did a nice appearance in the first race today of the championship by leading the
fleet all the way from start to finish and placing 2nd on handicap. A crew error packing
the spinnaker diminished our chances for winning the race and we are sure it will not be
repeated. In race No2, the Race Committee made the right call to abandon the race before
we round the first mark and send the fleet back to port for the day, to enjoy an afternoon
swimming session and great early dinner" said with satisfaction pitman Nick Fougias.
Kalamaki, Wednesday, August 3rd 2011, 20:00.
Stick to the schedule…, IRC Nationals 2011!
We concluded tonight all checklists for competing successfully in the IRC National
Championship with OPTIMUM 3. The Greek Sailing Federation alongside with
the Offshore Sailing Club from Thessaloniki is organizing the Nationals based
in the island of Skopelos. OPTIMUM 3 leaves the dock tomorrow for the 140
miles delivery trip to Skopelos. Arrival there is scheduled for Friday noon, giving
time enough for final preparations for the test race on Saturday afternoon. Racing
commences on Sunday 6th and concludes Saturday 13th. The racing format include
5 inshore and 2 offshore races. Total points will provide the 2011 Greek National
Champion.
«We move down our racing schedule for 2011 with great success and OPTIMUM
YACHT RACING TEAM is ready to challenge at full throttle for the 2011 National
Championship. We worked hard on the boat from the day after the conclusion of the
Aegean Rally till today. We double checked everything and loaded the boat with
spares and tooling to cover all bases. Five team members will deliver OPTIMUM 3
to Skopelos island in the North Aegean Sea, where the rest of the team will arrive by
Saturday morning by road and ferry. Team spirit is high after the 10-day effort in the
Aegean Rally, we expect a very competitive fleet and we aim high!" strongly suggests
co-skipper Nick Lazos, who missed Aegean Rally for professional reasons and he is
fully rested and combat ready.
The crew that will challenge for the National Championship title consists of Alexis
Maroungas, Giannis Kapos, George Panagiotidis, Nikos Apostolakis, Nikos Fougias,
Kostas Makridis, Alexis Chrysochoidis, Giannis Rallis, Gerassimos Petratos, Antoine
Drillias, Tonia Bami, Lambros Nakis, Nick Lykiardopoulo, Nikos Lazos and Pericles
Livas.
Kalamaki - ATHENS, Sunday, July 24th 2011, 18:00.
All The Way to the Wire…!
At 08:15, OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM crossed first the finishing line under
the Poseidon Temple in Cape Sounio, to complete with glory its participation in the
48th Aegean Rally. OPTIMUM 3 led all the way from start to finish the fleet in the
final race from Inousses to Sounio. The crew fought relentlessly for 21 hours in
racing mode and through the whole night in the light wind conditions that prevailed.
Now, they knew they will have to wait a few more hours for the other yachts to finish
in order to find out if they made it to a podium position.
"We knew we have done a great final race and we had extended far in the front, but
would it be enough? Five hours later, it seemed safe to believe that we did a 2nd in
the final leg and that was good enough to elevate us in 3rd overall. It seemed that
we managed to turn around the tables after the 13th in leg 1 from Faliro to Amorgos
and along with 4,5,2,2 finishes we made it to podium position. It was not meant to
happen! VENTUS-PORCELANA finished 8 hours and 10 minutes later, and won
us by 1min 13 sec on handicap. By doing so, they pushed us down to third in this
final race and got the bronze podium position in the Rally. We can only congratulate
them! In one hand that hearts some, but on the other hand it reminded us how hard
is to win the Aegean Rally and OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM has done so
7 times in 16 consecutive participations. So let it be, and hope we will be well to
return and fight next year and especially the year after that for the 50th Aegean Rally
Anniversary!" strongly suggested our skipper Pericles Livas.
The crew that made a worthy battle and a strong spirited comeback from behind
included Kostis Afedakis, Alexis Marougas, Giannis Kapos, George Eliopoulos,
Nikos Apostolakis, Vaggelis Karas, Kostas Makridis, George Panagiotidis, Manolis
Markogiannakis, Tassos Dikastopoulos, Adonis Drilias, Nikos Lardas, Gerassimos
Petratos, Manos Roudas, Tonia Bami and Pericles Livas.
Inousses, Friday, July 22th, 2011, 17:00.
Keep Climbing!
OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM managed 2nd place in the 4th race of the 48th Aegean
Rally, and by doing so climbed in 5th place overall in the ORCi division. The 4th race
was an offshore leg from Samos to Inousses island and the competing yachts battered
conditions from 0 to 6 Beaufort! There is one more race left of this year's Aegean Rally, and
mathematically any of the top 8 teams can end up winning the 10-day contest!
"Yesterday, it was happy sailing for OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM as we led from start to
finish, hm.. almost! I mean we had varied conditions under great Greek summer day and
night, led for 11 hours the whole fleet, only to give up the lead at the last 600 meters! That
made us feel uneasy for a while, but after some hot food and cold beers we remembered
that in all sports things like this happen again and again. Now we are concentrating on
preparing OPTIMUM 3 and ourselves for the last race, targeting another strong finish
that might place us on the winner's podium" positively suggests spinnaker trimmer and
helmsman Kostas Makridis.
Samos, Wednesday, July 20th2011, 19:00.
Turning Point!
It was turning point today for all competing yachts in the 48th Aegean Rally. The inshore
race around buoys in Samos Bay proved nerve breaking due to shifting winds and multiple
wind holes. OPTIMUM YACHT RACING ΤΕΑΜ lead the race from start to finish handling
the conditions with caution, managing a 5th place on ORCi handicap. At the same time
OPTIMUM 3 moves to 8th place overall but due to major turmoil in today's rankings, much
closer to the top of the leaderboard with 2 more races to go!
«The team today did a fine job protecting its early lead all the way to the finish, elevating
the team spirit and morale for the remaining races. We also felt that it was turning point
for many competing yachts as the leaders so far found themselves in the lower sections of
the scorecard. We thought we did better than 5th but it was not meant to be as we missed
1st place for less than 2 minutes after 2 hours of racing! We managed well today and look
forward for the remaining races" cautiously suggests jib trimmer 'Iso' George Panagiotidis.
Tomorrow, the rally restarts again for leg 3, race 4, from Samos to Inousses and OPTIMUM
YACHT RACING TEAM is on fire!
PYTHAGORIO - Samos, Tuesday, July 19, 2011, 09:00.
The Rally is continuing!
OPTIMUM 3 managed 4th place in the 2nd leg of the 48th Aegean Rally, from Amorgos to
Samos Islands. OPTIMUM YACHT RACING crossed the finishing line in Samos 11 hours after
the 10 o'clock start, just before it gets dark. "Meltemi" winds up to 30 knots propelled all
competing yachts, providing ideal Aegean-dream t-shirt sailing conditions. OPTIMUM 3 was
elevated to 9th place overall in ORCi category after the conclusion of leg 2. Three more to
go!
"We did an excellent race yesterday, taking the lead right after the start and extending
thereafter. Tactical choices were synchronized perfectly with the shifting northern winds
and changing pressure. As a result we substantially extended our lead, well up until Patmos
island were we fell into a wind hole, totally unforeseeable. The chasing boats saw us drifting
in front, and 3 of them sailed around us before we manage to move again 2 hours later! We
managed to pass 2 of them and cross the finishing line 2nd but not on handicap ending in
4th place. We are satisfied but we know we were worth of a better result" declares mainsail
trimmer Gerry Petratos, adding: "However, we enjoyed what we come here every year
for 'Aegean meltemi t-shirt sailing conditions!"
The crew will take a rest this morning and prepare OPTIMUM 3 in the afternoon for the
inshore race tomorrow in Samos bay. Watch this space for the story unfolding…
KATAPOLA - Amorgos, Saturday, July 16th, 2011, 19:00.
135 miles race into the Big Blue!
First race, first leg of the 48th Aegean Rally is over and OPTIMUM 3 crossed 2nd the finishing
line in Katapola, Amorgos at about 10 o'clock this morning after 16 hours racing and a night
with full moon. OPTIMUM YACHT RACING waited the other boats to finish, handicaps to be
applied and results to be posted to find out that it managed 13th place in the ORCi category.
"This is not the ideal result to start a regatta, but we know from experience that the winner
will come out after 10 days when we return in Sounio and add up all the results from the 5
races. We keep in mind that we did a great start, concluded the windward-leeward course
in Faliro bay passing all buoys 1st, and led the fleet to Cape Sounio and to the Aegean Sea
first. We want leave behind us the broken jib sheet that made a cut to the jibtop, forcing us
to give the lead to the other Farr 52-footer, and to get 2nd tier decisions for the remaining
part of the race to Amorgos. We are here to race hard until the end and we are know well
how to do it" suggests convincingly skipper Pericles Livas.
The crew rested well since after the finish this morning and is now working with passion
to get OPTIMUM 3 back to 100% racing mode. The spirit is high, and the crew is looking to
reverse the tables in race 2 from Amorgos to Samos.
Kalamaki. Thursday July 17, 2011, 16:00.
Ready to Go for the Aegean Rally!
The 48th edition of the Aegean Rally starts tomorrow and is highly marked on the racing
calendar of OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM. This year the course is FALIRON-AMORGOS-
SAMOS-INOUSSES-SOYNIO, a total of 450 miles. So, there are 4 offshore races and 1 inshore
race in Samos island. The rally is the top Greek sailing event, and OPTIMUM TEAM has won
it several times before.
«The last 10 days, every afternoon, we get together to prepare OPTIMUM 3 to do battle
in the Aegean Sea. We will be away from our base in Kalamaki for 10 days and we will
not have the means and the time to fix any serious damage or technical problem. So, we
check and service everything we can think of might give way to the meltemi winds in the
Aegean Sea. We launched the boat on schedule on Tuesday, we trained on Wednesday ,
and finalized all little details today. All seems to be right and we are ready to go full on" says
pitman Vaggelis Karas fully satisfied as his proffession is naval architect with huge technical
background and responsible to confirm all is checked to the optimum.
This is the 16th consecutive Aegean Rally that OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM competes and
the 15 crew lineup include Kostis Afentakis, John Kapos, George Eliopoulos, Nick Apostolakis,
Vaggelis Karas, Kostas Makridis, George Panagiotidis, Emmanuel Markogiannakis, Tassos
Dikastopoulos, Antoine Drilias, Nick Lardas, Gerry Petratos, Manos Roudas, Tonia Bami and
Pericles Livas.
Piraeus, Tuesday 14 June 2011 23:45.
Silverware Collection
In a very unique place, a merchant ship class that has been transformed to
a museum, took place the prize giving ceremony for the "ABS HELLAS LIBERTY-
44th ANDROS RACE". Members of OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM were
present to collect 3 pieces of silverware for the following successes:
Line Honors Cup for crossing the finishing line in Andros 1st.
Overall Cup in IRC category, 1st place.
LIBERTY CUP for winning the 2 inshore races in Andros.
"We found the place that the organizers of the ANDROS RACE selected to hold the
prize giving ceremony very interesting and nautical. Even more interesting was the
presentation of the history of the LIBERTY Class ships and the role they played to
elevate Greek shipping in the 1st place worldwide. As such, instead of a flat prize
giving ceremony we enjoyed an extremely interesting event that we were also the
honored party. It was great!" declares our mastman George Eliopoulos.
Available to receive the silverware were team members Alexis Marougas, Giannis
Kapos, George Eliopoulos, Nikos Apostolakis, Kostas Makridis, Gerry Petratos,
Adonis Drilias, Lambros Nakis, Nick Lazos and Pericles Livas.
Cape Sounio, Monday 13 June 2011 17:30.
We did it again!
OPTIMUM 3 seems to be the boat to beat in 2011. This long weekend, OPTIMUM
YACHT RACING TEAM managed to pull another victory, the 4th in a row in
the "ABS HELLAS LIBERTY-44th ANDROS RACE" posting finishes 1,4,1,1 in 1
offshore, 2 inshore and 1 coastal races.
"It was very demanding but very worthwhile too. We worked hard to keep the boat
moving during the night on our way to Andros island due to the light shifting winds
that prevailed. Then, it was even harder to manage OPTIMUM 3 during the two
tight inshore races with continuous mark rounding under 20 knot freshly breeze. It
was only today that was a bit relaxing since it was a downwind 20 mile coastal race
where we enjoyed nice surfing conditions that allowed us to reach up to 15 knots at
the speedo, crossing the finishing line in about 90 minutes from the start. From the
outside it might seem that OPTIMUM 3 is unstoppable this year but we know that if
we don't learn fast from our mistakes, our winning streak will come at a halt for sure"
emphasizes genoa trimmer Gerasimos (Jerry) Petratos with a full-on smile in his face.
The crew lineup for the "44th ANROS RACE, 2011" was Alexis Marougas, Giannis
Kapos, George Eliopoulos, Nikos Apostolakis, Kostas Makridis, Gerry Petratos,
Adonis Drilias, Vaggelis Karas, Manos Roudas, Lambros Nakis, Adonis Tsakalides,
Nick Lazos and Pericles Livas.
Kalamaki, Sunday, June 5th 2011 20:15.
Something goes… RIGHT!
OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM is the winner (again) in the “SPRING CUP
2011» that Yacht Club VOULA organized with great success. As such, after 6 races
in IRC division and scoreboard 4,1,1,1,1,(DSQ), 1st place fell in OPTIMUM 3 hull,
making it 3 wins in 3 contests in 2011. The 6 races took place in two consecutive
weekends, from 28/5 to 5/6 and included offshore, coastal and inshore races.
“The team is committed to its racing schedule and has brought only top results wining
3 out of 3 in 2011. Our performance so far is well received by all team members
and we will strive to continue in this manner. Our competitors showed great form in
individual races but failed to compete in all 6 races, so OPTIMUM 3 dominated easily
the results” declares pitman Nikos Apostolakis.
Crew for OPTIMUM 3 in the “SPRING CUP 2011” Alexis Marougas, Giannis
Kapos, George Eliopoulos, Nikos Fugias, Nikos Apostolakis, Kostas Makridis,
Manolis Markogiannakis, Adonis Drilias, Kostis Afentakis, Alexis Chrysoxoides,
Vaggelis Karas, Manos Roudas, Lambros Nakis, Nick Lazos and Pericles Livas.
Piraeus, Mikrolimano, May 18th 2011 21:45.
Collecting the winner’s prize!
OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM members collected their silverware for their
top performance last weekend, winning the “2001 H.O.R.C CUP” by scoring 2,1,2,1
in IRC division, at the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club’s magnificent premises.
“I always feel special when I get up there with my team mates, among cheers from
our competitors, to collect the silverware! The ladies said that we also looked nice
with the new grey shirts and vests with the white “OPTIMUM” logos sewn on. But
more importantly, I strongly feel the team spirit that runs through us all, and this year
is no exception. Our skippers Pericles Livas & Nikos Lazos have made sure that
by this time the team will be in full force and pushing hard. The crew meetings we
did from December to March to finalize the racing program and the hours we put on
preparing the boat in April, bonded the team, and when we launched the boat and
hoisted sails the spirit was high and the results turned OPTIMUM!” expresses Kostis
Afentakis, an all round crewmember that shines in any position he takes onboard.
The crew available for the prize giving ceremony was Alexis Marougas, Giannis
Kapos, George Eliopoulos, Nikos Fugias, Nikos Apostolakis, Kostas Makridis,
Manolis Markogiannakis, Adonis Drilias, Kostis Afentakis, and Pericles Livas.
Kalamaki, ATHENS, Sunday, May 15th 2011 20:00.
Winner’s Path…!
OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM competed and won its 2nd scheduled race of
the season “2001 H.O.R.C CUP”, scoring 2,1,2,1 in the 4 trapezoid W/L races for the
IRC division.
“The feeling that the team and boat are on a sweet song tune from early season this
year was confirmed this weekend. Mark rounding races like the 4 we concluded
today in winds between 8-16 kts, test crew work and boat smoothness operation
since the pressure is constant comparing to an offshore type of race. Starts, tactics
calls, boat positioning, mark roundings, continuous crew work and more are “mistake
fields” and we did our share. The result though shows that we probably did less than
our competition, which was really close since we won the last race by 2 secs on a
54 minute race! It really felt good out there today and definitely the best training is
racing!” admits mainsail trimmer Lambros Nakis with a smile all over his face.
The crew lineup for the race was Alexis Marougas, Giannis Kapos, George
Eliopoulos, Nikos Fugias, Nikos Apostolakis, Alexis Chrysochoidis, Kostas Makridis,
Manolis Markogiannakis, Manos Roudas, Adonis Drilias, Alkis Romeos, Kostis
Afentakis, Lambros Nakis, Nikos Lazos and Pericles Livas.
Kalamaki, ATHENS, Sunday, May 1st 2011 23:20.
1st of May, 1st Race, 1st Victory!
OPTIMUM 3 crossed the finishing line in Voula 1st, on the return leg from Kythnos,
covering the 42 miles at a bit more than 4 hours. At the same time OPTIMUM
YACHT RACING TEAM managed to far enough from its pursuers to win 1st place
on this leg under IRC handicap system. As such, with finishes 2,1 gets to win
the “2011 KYTHNOS RACE” that looks really promising result for the new season.
“Today the team pulled out a great start and never looked back! We just extended
from our competition steadily, calling the right moves and making no mistakes. The
wind was present all the time ranging between 10 to 19 knots, mainly reaching and
downwind. It was what we call “happy sailing on a sunny day” admits co-skipper
Nikos Lazos. “Go Team, Go!”
The crew lineup for the race was Alexis Marougas, Christos Pateras, George
Eliopoulos, Nikos Fugias, Nikos Apostolakis, Alexis Chrysochoidis, Kostas Makridis,
Manolis Markogiannakis, Manos Roudas, Adonis Drilias, Tonia Bami, Kostis
Afentakis, Nikos Lazos and Pericles Livas.
Kythnos, CYCLADES, Saturday, April 30th 2011 14:10.
Let the racing season begin!
Lots of preparation work has been completed and OPTIMUM 3 was craned in the
water on schedule on Wednesday. The training session on Thursday verified that all
systems are functioning perfect and OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM members
are on fire.
Friday, the team was at the startline of KYTHNOS RACE in Cyclades for a good
shakeup of all the modes and routines of the teamwork that the team is well known
about.
“Everybody seems excited that the boat is in the water, looking great with the
stanchions and boom repainted satin black. But OPTIMUM YACHT RACING
TEAM is about racing effectively from day one which is what we succeeded on the
51 miles leg from Piraeus to Kythnos island in Cyclades. The team managed to take
line honors after about 8 hours in generally light conditions and more importantly
2nd in the IRC division! A short job list was created during racing last night that was
addressed under great sunny Cycladic conditions this morning. We also managed a
long debriefing of the race that included lots of idea exchanges for the whole 2011
racing season”, says with a smile our skipper Pericles Livas.
Athens, GREECE, Thursday 17th March 2011 09:15
TEAM OPTIMUM JOINS THE “2011 DYNEEMA EXPERIENCE TEAM”!
Our skipper, Periklis Livas, contested for the "2011 Dyneema® Experience Team" and
made it through! We will be getting a full new set of running rigging for OPTIMUM 3, WOW!!!
The confirmation letter reads as following:
Kalamaki - ATHENS, GREECE, Sunday 23 May 2010 20:00
BATTLE or RACE?
Six more races of W/L type were concluded on the last two days of “SAILING WEEK” organized by YACHT CLUB GREECE. OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM campaigning the victorious OPTIMUM 3, recorded finishes 2,2,2,2,6,4,3,3,1 at the 9 races of the series and grasped 2nd overall in IRC. The races looked more like battles between the two largest racing yachts of the Greek fleet. The crews pressed hard all the way in every race to cross the finishing line first. In the end BRAVE won over OPTIMUM 3, but the clear win of OPTIMUM 3 in the penultimate race shows what comes next in the season.
“We are fully satisfied with the result and mainly because the team responded and progressed up in every day of racing under huge pressure. The four new team members got serious with their duties and I can say now that we are on the right track to form a solid team for the whole season. The gear needs some maintenance and replacement according to a schedule that is already formed, since we expect a lot of pressure this season”, states co-skipper Nikos Lazos.
“Two 52footers racing fully loaded, crossing port-starboard inches apart from each other, was something I was not used to live up coming from windsurfing world. Initially I thought I am among crazy people that risk deadly marine accidents, but soon realized that everyone knows how much to push or thinks he knows…”says with a grin in his face, newcomer Dimitris Karagogos from his post as main forward grinder.
Kalamaki - ATHENS, GREECE, Saturday 22 May 2010 19:10
RACING AGAIN
At “SAILING WEEK” organized by YACHT CLUB GREECE is competing OPTIMUM 3 in 21-24/5/2010, which is considered a top level regatta in the Saronic Gulf area due to the high standard of the competitors that are attracted by the high level of the Race Committee. By today 3 races have concluded (1 W/L and 2 offshore) out of 9 scheduled and OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM posted finishes 2,2,2 and stands at 2nd overall, battling for seconds with rival yacht BRAVE.
“It is unbelievable close battle! We race for hours, boat for boat, to finish seconds apart. The pressure is full on, and we trip down to little mistakes due to average communication among the crew that we know will fade out as the season progresses.
Competing in this series is like training hard for 10 days and even better and for sure lot more fun” declares mainsail trimmer Lambros Nakis.
Kalamaki - ATHENS, GREECE, Sunday 16 May 2010 19:20
1st Race and… Podium Position!
The 3rd place overall in IRC division, OPTIMUM 3 took home after competing on the weekend 15-16/5/2010, at the races organized successfully by H.O.R.C. The Race Committee was able to conclude 5 races of W/L type and OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM posted a record of 4,2,3,3,4 that led the team to the bronze podium position.
“It was a great start for the racing season. We did 5 tight races and it feels true when they say that racing is the best training you can do! We selected to compete with the old set of sails and concentrate on crew work than boat speed. Finishing 3rd felt good and rewarding”, declared co-skipper Nick Lazos.
“The only matter of concern remains that the team has no sponsor yet for the season, which is the first time since 1992! The economic crisis touches everywhere and everyone, but OPTIMUM 3 looks great in plain white, and the team will do its best anyway”, adds co-skipper Pericles Livas
Crew Lineup: Alexis Marougas, Christos Pateras, Giannis Kapos, Nikos Apostolakis, Giorgos Eliopoulos, Alexis Chrysochoides, Kostas Makrides, Dimitris Karagogos, Alkis Romeos, Adonis Drillias, Labros Nakis, Roulis Ethnopoulos, Pericles Livas, Nikos Lazos
“It is certain that the 5 guys that will not get into the basic team, they can –if they wish- become substitutes, which means statistically that will be called to compete in 1 race at least” adds the other half owner/skipper Nick Lazos.
Kalamaki - ATHENS, GREECE, Monday 10 May 2010 09:20
2010 SEASON is ON!
The season opened for OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM and according to the schedule a full training session took place on the weekend of 8-9/5. On Wednesday 5/5 the hole team was gathered to prepare and condition OPTIMUM 3 for launching.
“All went smooth and according to plan without surprises or delays. We felt good when the boat got back in the water since September, on Friday 7/5. On Saturday, a nice sea breeze up to 13 knots allowed to test safely all the boat’s systems and all of us to get back to the rhythm of sailing the boat smoothly. On Sunday, 15-20 knots W winds, reminded us all how tough, things can become when sailing a thoroughbred 52 foot racing yacht. However, 5 hours later on the dock, the feeling of satisfaction for successfully concluding the first training session of the season was clear among all crew members” declared George Panagiotidis who has got trimmer responsibilities this year.
This weekend was also the first appearance of the new crew members Adonis Drllias, Dimitris Karagogos, Giannis (Jack) Kapos and Alkis Romeos. They all tried hard and showed great will to learn fast and “fit in” the team. The feeling was that through hard work we can enjoy racing sailing and bring in great results. To be continued…
Kalamaki - ATHENS, GREECE, Monday 26 April 2010 08:00
FRESH BLOOD!
The procedure of collecting applications for the “MEN ONLY” new crew members for OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM was concluded. “We met with the 9 most interested men and in few days we will decide who will be the 4 new members that will enhance further the dynamics of our team. Final decision looks to be hard since all the guys are great and seem to be able fit in the team and deliver at maximum” declares looking fully satisfied skipper/owner Pericles Livas.
“It is certain that the 5 guys that will not get into the basic team, they can –if they wish- become substitutes, which means statistically that will be called to compete in 1 race at least” adds the other half owner/skipper Nick Lazos.
Aghios Kosmas - ATHENS, GREECE, Tuesday 13 April 2010 09:20
MEN ONLY
...are invited to join OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM as full-time crew members for the 2010 season and beyond. The only requirement is the will (and ability) to follow the whole racing, training and boatwork program of the team.
The team mentality is that since we are no pros but amateurs we need to race, train and prepare ourselves and the boat, the same group of 15 men-only,for the whole season, in order to maximize our return (fun & glory) and safety for the time (and money) we invest.
Four position openings are available due to various commitments of the standard team members that cannot follow the whole program. Grinders, pit & mastman are usually the entry-level positions.
Halandri - ATHENS, GREECE, Tuesday 24 September 2009 08:00
WATCH NOW STREAMING VIDEO WITH OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM IN ACTION!
Produced by FULL MOON S.A.
We are so proud to provide our team followers with a fantastic two-part pro-edited video clip on our website. It was our sponsor GARMIN who took the initiative to order this pro-work from Full Μoon S.A. with full action footage from this year’s victorious AEGEAN RALLY. It is the first time we were able to record on video OPTIMUM 3 surfing at over 25 knots of speed since it has always been hard to do so. The dedication of team member Manos Roudas was translated to the high wind parts of this fantastic footage that we all now enjoy so much to watch again and again!
Hermoupolis, Syros Island, GREECE, Sunday 6 September 2009 19:10
1st SYROS RACE – RACE DAY 4. THIN AIR PROVIDED SLIM CHANCES!
(c) J.Vassiliou www.ircgreece.gr
For the final day, Race officials tracked hard any sign of wind in the race area in an effort to host one more race. And they just managed it.
The schedule was for a start at 11:00. Postponed and then the fleet was ordered to leave the port at 12:00 and for 2 hours followed the Committee Boat around the course including a start of a triangle course that was cut 10 minutes later that the wind died yet again. Then at 14:10 the fleet restarted again on marginal conditions and OPTIMUM 3 – GARMIN completed the short triangle course in 56 minutes crossing the line 1st but sixth on handicap, to end the series in 4th place in IRC 1 category.
“We messed up at the start due to a wind shift in the final minute and could not lay the line on starboard tack and were forced to a slow tack, crossing from behind all sterns. It was catch up game and well we played just leading in the first mark and extending thereafter. In the final leeward leg, we calculated we would finish 2nd or 3rd on handicap and the same in the series, only to run out of wind 150 meters from finish, and when the wind filled from behind, brought along the following fleet, evaporating our chances for a podium finish. A slight disappointing feeling was in the air on board returning to port, soon to evaporate working on loading the boat with the spares and preparing the boat for the delivery trip back to Athens” described pitman Yorgos Eliopoulos of OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM.
Hermoupolis, Syros Island, GREECE, Saturday 5 September 2009 17:40
1st SYROS RACE – RACE DAY 3. NO WIND, RACING CANCELLED
Complete lack of wind forced the Race Committee at 16:00 to abandon efforts to stage any racing on the third day of the 1st SYROS RACE. From 10:30 race officers were out in the racing area trying to figure out any positive sign that would allow them to call the fleet out of their moorings to commence racing. “The most we got all day was a 5 knot breeze that lasted no more than half an hour. We want to stage as much races as possible from the schedule but conditions should meet at least minimum standards. Today was not possible to hold any racing”, commented Marina Psychogiou of the Race Committee.
“We are hard on the wall, hands up since the forecast for tomorrow suggests there will be no wind too! That means we will not race any more and we will end up SYROS RACE on 4th place on equal points with 3rd place MELX – AUDI. It is ok if you battle and you don’t win because you learn from your mistakes and you are stronger next time. But missing the podium without battle feels not ok!” admits co-skipper Pericles Livas.
Hermoupolis, Syros Island, GREECE, Friday 4 September 2009 21:20
1st SYROS RACE – RACE DAY 2. LIGHT WINDS DOMINATE
Light winds were forecasted and light they were! The Race Committee had no choice and send the SYROS RACE fleet on a short coastal race half around Syros and back. The course proved a stop and go process due to continuous wind holes, which always proves costly for big boats and favors the smaller. OPTIMUM 3 – GARMIN crew tried hard and posted a 5th place in the 3rd race of the series. As such, with finishes 3, 2 and 5, OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM lies in 4th place in IRC 1 category.
“It was nerve cracking out there today. We were leading the fleet trying to pick the right course, only to find ourselves in 10-15 minute intervals in a wind hole, showing the following fleet the exact place they had to avoid and pass in front. Then, catch up, lead, stop, left behind; catch up again and so on. Four hours of this, under 35οC and 100% Greek sunshine is a serious roller-coaster, but not a funny one” admits Thanos Papasideris, trimmer of the team.
Hermoupolis, Syros Island, GREECE, Thursday 3 September 2009 19:15
OPTIMUM 3 – GARMIN posted two solid results, as was the goal of the day.
A 3rd place in the first race of windward/leeward type and a 2nd place in the second race of triangle type brought OPTIMUM 3 – GARMIN in first place in IRC 1 category equal with 5 points with 2nd placed ELLINIXX – IMX 40.
Hermoupolis, Syros Island, GREECE, Thursday 3 September 2009 11:00
OPTIMUM 3 – GARMIN ARRIVES IN SYROS AND BATTLE COMMENCES
OPTIMUM 3 – GARMIN arrived today at 02:30 in Ermoupolis, Syros and moored at the dedicated area for yachts competing at the 1st SYROS RACE, at the main harbor. Delivery crew went straight for sleep until 10:00 at the hotel knowing that the rest of the crew that was already in Syros had arranged boat inspection at 09:00, and would take care of switching the boat from delivery mode to racing mode.
“All goes according to plan and we will leave the dock at 12:30 for some practice sailing before the 14:00 start. Sunshine, 15 knots wind, and lots of sun lotion are the order of the day. The competition will be tough and we are looking to post two solid results in today’s 2 scheduled races around buoys” says Nick Apostolakis pitman of OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM.
Kalamaki - ATHENS, GREECE, Monday 31 August 2009 10:00
OPTIMUM 3 – GARMIN GETS WET, AGAIN!
Right on schedule for preparations to compete in the 1st SYROS RACE, OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM members successfully concluded the launching of OPTIMUM 3 this afternoon at 5 pm. After thoroughly “cleaning” the hull and the all important underwater surface this last weekend, as the boat was “sitting” on its cradle, all systems were checked to make sure OPTIMUM 3 is ready for battle.
The schedule for tomorrow calls for sails and safety equipment to be loaded, diesel to be filled and final job list to be implemented. Yacht Club Kalamaki in Alimos Marina is the only Yacht Club in the Athens area that can provide dry-sailed capabilities for a racing yacht of the size of Optimum 3 along with space for her storage container.
OPTIMUM 3 – GARMIN will depart on Wed 2nd at 5 pm to reach Syros at around 1 am, allow the crew enough rest time and get ready to race at 2 pm on Thursday 3rd.
“It is a bit tight, but we decided to skip work only for the racing days in order to leave the rest of our vacation days from work for the ROLEX MIDDLE SEA RACE in October, that we have planned to compete if we manage to sign up a sponsor” admits Nick Lazos co-owner and co-skipper of OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM.
Porto Hydra, GREECE, Wednesday 05 August 2009 15:10
Well, team members are on vacation with family and friends, but some work is being done to prepare our entry for the upcoming 1st SYROS RACE in early September.
First, we managed to get hold of a small video clip showing OPTIMUM 3 – GARMIN performing during the 46th Aegean Rally.
Having watched some of the 10 TV shows presented during the Aegean Rally, we knew there was some great footage available with OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM in action, so we spent the last week figuring a way to “break in” the production company of the series. So we are happy to present you a very small sample of what is available and hopefully we will get more out when an official deal with the producer is realized!
Secondly, a team of weather “experts” are gathering data for the 1st SYROS RACE. This is a total new event that is set to become a great success. Organized by IRC representatives in Greece and Yacht Club Syros, the 4-day Regatta is following the recipe of the famous Key West Sailing Week, and is bringing together to race all the top boats from Greece in its 1st Edition. OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM will be there to put another strong show campaigning OPTIMUM 3 – GARMIN.
Last but not least, OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM’s top management works quietly but intensively to secure sponsorship for competing in the ROLEX MIDDLE SEA RACE in Malta in October. The ROLEX MIDDLE SEA RACE is the toughest race in the Mediterranean and is considered one of the four classic 600 mile races alongside with the ROLEX FASTNET RACE, the ROLEX SYDNEY HOBART and the NEWPORT-BERMUDA RACE. In 2004, OPTIMUM 3 sponsored by WASH & GO Shampoo (Procter & Gamble) was the outright winner of the event in both IRC and IMS handicap systems, lifting most of the silverware (and ROLEX watches) at the prize giving ceremony. Any team that wins one of these so-called Offshore Classics gets international recognition forever and OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM has done it but is looking for more…
Minister of Sports, Mr. Yannis Ioannidis, gave all the awards and metals to the crew of OPTIMUM 3-GARMIN, for conquering 1st position Overall and 1st position in Class 1 in the IRC division, in the 46th International Aegean Rally. OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM was also awarded for winning 1st position at the leg Samos – Sounio, as well as for the windward/leeward race that took place in Faliro bay, always for Class 1 in IRC division. Having already been awarded 2 more cups for winning the 1st position in Class 1 of the IRC division, in the local awards ceremonies in Syros and Leros, the teams’s cups reached the number of six!
As it’s a tradition for OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM, team captains Nikos Lazos and Pericles Livas, offered the 4 cups from the individual races to Costis Afentakis, George Panagiotidis, Vangelis Karras and Lambros Nakis for their unique contribution during this race.
The award winning ceremony took place in the exclusive premises of the Aegean Naval Command in Piraeus. More than 800 people attended the ceremony including top officials from many Ministries of the government, Greek Navy and Coast Guard, as well as all the competitors with family members.
At this point, we’d like to congratulate the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club and event sponsor MERCEDES BENZ for having successfully organized once again the 46th edition of the International Aegean Rally, the oldest Regatta in the Mediterranean region! The media coverage and especially the 10 daily TV programs aired during the race were amazing and really managed to get the message of Sailing through to a wider number of viewers!
Last and most important is the need to thank our sponsor GARMIN for supporting OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM so effectively in these tricky economic times. The cooperation they provided and the way they handled their sponsorship contributed immensely in OPTIMUM 3 – GARMIN winning the 46th AEGEAN RALLY. Thank you once more!
KALAMAKI, ATHENS, GREECE, Sunday 26 July 2009 19:00
OPTIMUM 3 – GARMIN WINS THE 46th AEGEAN RALLY!
Today OPTIMUM YACHT RACING TEAM performed under pressure and hauled in an outright victory in Race 5. With this top result and Race 6 abandoned due to lack of wind OPTIMUM 3 – GARMIN won the 1st place Overall and 1st in class 1, in IRC division of the 46th AEGEAN RALLY.
“The last 10 days we put a huge team effort across the Aegean Archipelago and back, and although very successfully we lead the regatta, in this morning’s crew briefing it was clear that all where at stake and we were still under extreme pressure. I have been a long time with and I have a huge respect of the way Pericles and Nick are managing the team. They presented clearly the job on hand for the day, urging us all to focus on our strengths and their full and coordinated exploitation. An hour delay for the start in order for the wind to settle so the Race Committee sets fare and square the buoys for the Windward/Leeward course worked nicely for the day’s “aura” on board, full of jokes and past successes. The starting gun set us on fire and we never looked back. Light winds is not our expertise, rather the opposite is true, but we performed 100% from start to finish, the only measurable error being a slow speed gibe due to a half-missed sheet. Crossing the finish line we were feeling good with the distance the other boats were behind and 18 minutes later our major opponent A35 for the top prize finished too. We were 1st and A35 was 4th. That meant we increased our lead even more, and although mathematically a bad result on Race 6 could cost us the 1st place, we were feeling that this particular day in time and space we were unbeatable. Race 6 started soon afterwards only to be abandoned 15 minutes later due to the wind dying and shifting all over the place. The Race Committee waited for a while and then cancelled any further racing for the day. We won it big time”, remarks Thanos Papasideris that moved successfully to headsail trimmer position after serving for long at the bow department.
Emotions are high after 10 days successfully posting results 3,1,3,1,1 and winning the top prize again since 2004. The results themselves make it look easy, but easy was not. See you all at the very special Prize Giving ceremony that the AEGEAN RALLY is known for the last 45 editions.
