With ONEX as the Grand Sponsor , the 62nd Aegean Rally set sail for new horizons
With Syros in the spotlight and the ONEX Group as the Grand Sponsor Shipyards & Technologies , the 62nd Aegean Rally, the flagship event, managed to unite sports, shipbuilding tradition and culture this year as well.
Syros, July 29, 2025
With an eye on the future but with respect for tradition, the 62nd Aegean Rally concluded in the most ideal way, marking a milestone event that once again connected sports with shipbuilding tradition, technology with hospitality. For the first time in 60 years, the historic event returned to Syros for its finish, fully fulfilling the goals set, thanks to the decisive contribution of the Chairman and CEO of ONEX Group Shipyards& Technologies and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Association of Hellenic Shipyards, Mr. Panos Xenokostas.
Starting at the Veins of Vouliagmeni on Saturday, July 19, with the first stop being Finikas on Syros, the second being Lipsi, and finishing after seven days again at the picturesque port of Finikas, captains and crews traveled over 300 nautical miles, testing their endurance and drawing strength from the unique landscape of the Aegean and its historical aura.
Organized by the Panhellenic Offshore Sailing Club (POIATH), in collaboration with the Hellenic Navy (HERAKLES N.Y.) and theONEX Group as Major Sponsor, the event was dedicated to the Rally’s return to its roots, connecting tradition with innovation, the Greece of the sea with the Greece of tomorrow.
Alongside the sporting activities, a series of cultural and social events were held. A significant moment was the Sailing Festival on Sunday, July 20, where the tiny Syrian sailors had the opportunity to train in their favorite sport in the picturesque harbor of Finikas, Syros. The festival was organized for the second consecutive year by ONEX , the Nautical Club of Syros and the Municipality of Ermoupolis – Syros.
On the evening of the same day, the award ceremony of the 1st regatta was held at the “Allou Gialos” restaurant in Kini, in the presence of crews, sponsors and local authorities, in a beautiful atmosphere. The winning sailors received the prizes of the morning races, while the President of POIATH, Mr. Ioannis Maragoudakis, thanked the sponsors and everyone who helped with the organization. Afterwards, the President and CEO ofONEX Group and organizer of the evening, Mr. Panos Xenokostas, took the floor, thanking everyone who contributed to making this great project a reality this year, congratulating the athletes, who with their stubbornness and perseverance surpassed themselves once again. As he emphasized, “It is very important for us that young people find an outlet in sports and come into contact with seafaring, which is why supporting events such as the Aegean Rally is self-evident for us.”
The following day, Monday 21 July, the crews had the opportunity to visit the Syros Shipyards facilities and be guided by ONEXexecutives. The PEGA crew of the Naval Cadet School presented Mr. Xenokostas with the honorary coat of arms of the School and a collectible T-shirt of the sailing team, in recognition of theONEX Group’s long-standing support for the new generation of the Navy. For his part, the President presented the participants with a commemorative plaque, as a sign of recognition and support for their continuous efforts.
In the racing section and in the Performance category , the boatERYTOS II of Kostas Manthos proved why it is considered a reference point in the field of offshore sailing. With two victories in the first races and determination until the end, it narrowly prevailed over the PEGA of the Naval Cadet School. In the Sportcategory , the AFRODITI – SOLARIS of Vasilis Miliotis repeated its triumph last year, confirming its competitive stability.
The final award ceremony for the winning crews was held by active and retired officers of the Hellenic Navy on Monday, July 28, at the Aegean Naval Command in Piraeus, sealing a race that united people, islands and values under the sails of the Greek sea. A ceremony that highlighted not only the winners, but also the people and organizations that supported a race that is a symbol of Greece’s maritime identity. The ONEX Group , as Gold Sponsor, received an honorary plaque for its significant contribution to the country’s largest sailing institution. The award was received by Mr. Xenokostas himself, who once again emphasized the importance of such efforts for the place and its people.
ONEX continues, through such initiatives, to build bridges between industry and defense education, promoting the transfer of know-how and the strengthening of the Greek value chain in shipbuilding and seafaring. The 62nd Aegean Rally was living proof that Greece continues to breathe through the sea. This year’s route, the support of the organizations, the thrilling naval duels and the symbolic return to Syros sealed an event that was not just athletic, but deeply national and cultural .
