After visiting the Gulf of Kassandra, off the coast of Halkidiki and the picturesque port of Paros, Parikia, the Hellenic Match Racing Tour 2015 next stops off at Vouliagmeni. From 25-27 September, the Nautical Club of Vouliagmeni hosts the third and most important stage of this year’s Hellenic Match Racing tour as all crews re-group for the battle to upgrade their leaderboard ranking ahead of this year’s final event on 3-4 October.
The differences between the eight teams is small. Each one has the calibre to win matches, and each will do their best to climb the overall rankings and make gains on those ahead. We can expect close and intense racing and thrilling boat on boat action on the “arena style” course area at the Nautical Club of Vouliagmeni, where spectators will enjoy a ringside seat.
Greece’s Police team head up the leaderboard, counting 8 points from the first two stages of the Hellenic Match Racing Tour and will be on a mission to hold firm. Just 1 point behind are the “SOLGAR Ursa Minor” team skippered by Jason Spanomanoli, with last year’s winning team in third. Victory in 2014, has not made this year’s matches any easier for the “Nespresso VMG Team” skippered by Panagiotis Mantis, who sit on 6 points.
The natural landscape of Vouliagmeni is perfect for match racing. But this natural racing area is challenging, and will benefit the teams who best grasp the prevailing weather conditions and nuances of the course area.
The superb shoreside facilities of Nautical Club of Vouliagmeni are a lure for sports fans, who can see up close the elite of Greek sailing do battle to secure a place on the podium.