On Tuesday, June 23, the 32nd Cyclades Regatta 2026 arrived at Ios, the second destination of this year’s event, having covered an additional 32 nautical miles.
Sailors faced particularly demanding weather conditions, with winds reaching force 6 on the Beaufort scale.
The top finishers by category were as follows:
Performance category
- 1st: “HAKUNA MATATA”, skippered by Efthymios Bastis of the Volos Offshore Sailing Club
SPORT 1 category
- 1st: “TO KEFI MAS”, skippered by Theodoros Giovanoglou of NAOB
SPORT 2 and SPORT OVERALL categories
- 1st: “SALTY”, skippered by Sp. Voutsinas and Kl. Tsakmakidis of NOPF
SPORT 3 category
- 1st: “IKAROS”, skippered by Miltos Kapetanakis of NOEF
NS category
- 1st: “PILEFS”, skippered by Giannis Pileidis of NOTK
The award ceremony for the second race took place on Wednesday evening at Fishing Harbour Square — a magical waterfront setting surrounded by the competitors’ vessels.
In attendance to present the prizes were Mayor Gikas Gikas, Port Authority Commander of Ios and Lieutenant Commander of the Coast Guard Konstantinos Triantafyllou, Coast Guard Sub-Lieutenant and Deputy Port Authority Officer of Ios Zarafidou Zografа, Police Sub-Inspector A Simos Evangelos, Harbour Fund President Stelios Paximadas, Ios Harbour Manager Makis Denaxas, and Harbour Master of Ios Giorgos Nikiforou, who played a key role in ensuring the safe mooring of all vessels.
The Mayor welcomed competitors with an abundance of local delicacies, accompanied by a traditional live orchestra. The younger members of the Cyclades Regatta community kept the celebration alive into the early morning hours, carrying the spirit of friendship and connection to local tradition forward to a new generation of sailors.
On Wednesday morning, participants visited the Gaitis Museum in Ios Town — a true gem of the island with a rich history dedicated to the Greek painter, engraver, and sculptor.
On Thursday, June 25, we bid a heartfelt farewell to Ios, setting sail for the “Iron Island” of the Cyclades.
Media sponsors include ERT3, ERT South Aegean, ERT2 Sport and ERA Sport, SKIPPER ON DECK magazine, and NEXT STEP Media Group (Parapolitika).
About Cyclades Regatta 2026 (June 20–27, 2026)
The Cyclades Regatta 2026 (June 20–27, 2026) is one of Greece’s most prestigious offshore sailing events. With a history dating back to 1995, it brings together crews from Greece and abroad each year to race across the waters of the Cyclades. The event combines sporting competition with a celebration of maritime heritage and the unparalleled beauty of the Aegean Sea. It also shines a spotlight on Greek nautical tourism and strengthens the bond between sport and culture — making it an iconic fixture in the Greek sailing calendar.
Photos: © Nikolaos L. Zagas | ZAGAS Photography
