Event Announcement
The Nautical Club of Thessaloniki announces the ORC European Championship 2016 from July 3th to July 10th 2016.
Races will be held in the Toroneos Gulf and the North Aegean Sea. The start of the competition and the skippers’ meeting will be held at Porto Carras in Halkidiki, which is also the headquarters of the event. Participating boats will be moored in the marina of Porto Carras.
Porto Carras Grand Resort is located in Sithonia peninsula, one and a half hour drive from Thessaloniki, the second largest city of Greece, featuring an international airport and commercial port. Thessaloniki airport is connected with all major European airports with direct flights or via Athens internationail airport. Porto Carras is set alongside sandy beaches and coves, giving teams the opportunity to enjoy world class racing in a luxury holiday resort.
Marking the first time the Championship is being held in Greece, Akis Tsalikis, Chairman of the Hellenic Offshore Committee and N.C. Thessaloniki Commodore, commented, "Porto Carras is a fantastic resort marina complex, and has a proven track record of experience hosting numerous other regattas and events. The perfect weather conditions, excellent facilities, and close proximity to Thessaloniki make this an ideal location to host a major championship regatta.”
The race area is characterized by the thermal breeze appearing every summer day early at noon, the wind varying from 8 up to 16 knots, gradually diminishing after sunset. These mild but steady conditions are ideal for inshore, as well as daylight offshore racing.
Racing will feature a mix of round the cans windward/leeward courses and offshore races, to fully test the teams’ skills on the waters of Toroneos Gulf. The challenge of close windward/leeward racing is likely to keep the fleet in close boat on boat battles, compared to the complexity of offshore racing. Interpreting the changing conditions and delivering consistency will reward with Championship success.
Social activities for the 2016 ORC European Championship will take place at the race village at Porto Carras Grand Resort, with renowned Greek hospitality throughout the week. A wide range of accommodation choices are available within Porto Carras, which is northern Greece’s largest marina. A huge variety of shoreside entertainment can also be enjoyed including thalassotherapy, spa, numerous restaurants, beach bars, golf together with equipment repair and support services – all set in a stunning luxury waterfront location.
