BY: Michael Melissidis

It was really hard to get a true picture of all that happened at Porto Carras during the 18th North Aegean Cup, not so much concerning the words but how to start: The absolute predominance of the "OKYALOS VII" the first double of the IMX - 38, or maybe the "dizzy" course of the Russians, whom "shadowed" whom during this cup...

And let's not forget the high standard of this organization as well as the assistance of the "Organization for the Cultural Capital of Europe - THESSALONIKI 1997" in this N.C.Th. meeting full of high quality and superior contest.

The IMX were the first to slip into the waters of the Toronaios and all eyes were fixed on the chronometers to catch the differences bettween the seven boats, during the first rounding. It was the opening of the North Aegean Cup and the first Pahnellenic championship of these brand new 38 - tooters, with the well -known yachtsmen, which kept the interest. And surely not unwarrented because during the first two races the finishing time differences were only a matter of seconds.

The "OKYALOS" with skipper George Ertsos started triumphantly as a result everybody else from now - on calculated with top... the second place. Nor was the fleet of the remaining 19 boats that next day period able to "cut the winds" of the champions. So the short offshore race was considered the "way point" for every other competitor.

Not until the "Posidhion" race did the Turkish "PROVESSA" awaken memories that they should defend their previous year's title (overall in the IOR category). They raced very effectively finishing before midnight without a real chance to taste the hot soup which the organizers prepared for the "redeyed" yachtsmen! Once more, the IMX layed the law down with the "ANTARA" able to follow the "OKYALOS" when the "AEOLOS" (CRUISER/RACER) seems to be discouraged by the Russians of "ERIDAN" and perhaps missing the bus for better results.

From this point on up to the end of the races, began a one - boat show of the "ERIDAN" with five Russians pulling down every standard and every prediction as well. In the twinkling of an eye, everybody at Porto Carras was informed about that "phantom" which won the ...long offshore race (PELAGONISI, 101 NM) blocking the efforts of the other yachts.But we must not forget to mention the 2nd place of the "ELENA" taking revange for former races (during former races, when the Race Committee had waited "numerous" hours for her to finish), the efforts of the "GREEN DRAGON" raced by the Hellenic School "THESSALONIKI" and "NEMEA" as well, the superiority of the "PROVEZZA" in the OPEN category, the constistency of the "OKYALOS" which only disaster would keep her from the Gold in four categories.

Finally, no disaster happened during the last race of Celyfos Island (16 NM) and "OKYALOS" won the overall score as well as other three titles, while "PROVEZZA" and "ERIDAN" shared the other two.

The prize giving had every official flair enriched by the yachtsmen. Once more, we tasted a succfessful "ploughing" of the Aegean and the frolicsomeness of the crews on the stage. Present were the Chairman of the Organization for the Cultural Capital of Europe - THESSALONIKI '97 and the Mayor of the city Mr. Cosmopoulos, members of the Board of Directors of the co - organizer, the Carras brothers, officials, representatives of institutions, friends and of course the Board of Directors of the Nautical Club of Thessaloniki. During the ceremony in the GINA BACHAUER HALL, we lived special moments applauding the winners of the trophies.

 


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