The yacht Carbonita secured first place in the opening leg of the 59th Eurobank International Sailing Race of Andros on Friday after taking a tactical risk along the island's southern coast. Skipper Emmanouil Kondylis led his crew to victory on the demanding offshore course from Vouliagmeni on the Greek mainland to Chora on the island of Andros.
The vessel Ellinix Farr Away - Coral Odyssey - Perga, skippered by Stergos Leontaridis, finished in second place. The boat Velos Eurobank Private Banking, skippered by Olympic medalists Takis Mantis and Pavlos Kagialis, completed the top three.
Carbonita's victory came after the crew opted to navigate along the southern side of Andros. The decision involved a major strategic gamble, but the path ultimately proved decisive in breaking away from competing vessels as changing weather conditions tested both crews and tactics.
Wind conditions and fleet arrival
The race began in Vouliagmeni with a characteristic northerly wind of 15 to 20 miles per hour, which accompanied the fleet past the island of Makronisos. Further into the voyage, the wind weakened while sea waves persisted, creating a significantly more difficult environment for navigation.
Crews were forced to search for alternative sailing lines and maneuver closer to the shorelines in an effort to find stronger winds. The first yachts reached the port of Chora in Andros shortly after 9:00 PM on Thursday evening, while the final competing boats completed their arrivals after 12:30 PM on Friday.
Following the victory, Kondylis said that the crew was delighted to take first place in the opening race. He explained that they took a calculated risk by choosing to pass along the southern route, but noted that their decision was ultimately rewarded. Kondylis also pointed out the exceptionally high level of competition among the participating entries.
Regatta background and upcoming races
The International Sailing Race of Andros, also known as the I. V. Goulandris regatta, is one of the premier events on the Greek offshore sailing calendar. Jointly organized by the Andros Yacht Club and the Yacht Club of Greece, the annual race connects the Athenian coastline with Andros, an island in the Cyclades archipelago renowned for its deep maritime heritage. Among the competitors, Mantis and Kagialis bring elite credentials to the event, having won an Olympic bronze medal for Greece in sailing.
Eurobank serves as the naming partner for the regatta, while its Group Private Banking division acts as gold sponsor for the ninth consecutive year. This year's competition coincides with the launch of Generation Forward, a new initiative by Group Private Banking focusing on intergenerational continuity. Cultural and social events highlighting the maritime tradition of Andros are taking place alongside the competitive schedule.
Final legs of the competition
The racing schedule continues with two additional legs over the weekend. A coastal race is scheduled for Saturday at 11:00 AM, allowing spectators and island visitors to watch the competing yachts from the shorelines. The 59th edition of the regatta will conclude on Sunday with a final offshore race from Chora to Dysvato.
