notice of race

The Southern Ionian Regatta is an sailing event organized by a team of volunteers. The event will take place on the 17th & 18th September 2025 in the Ionian Islands, Greece.

    • The regatta will be governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing

    • The Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions apply.

    • Local port regulations and Greek maritime laws will be observed.

  • The sailing instructions will be published on the 1st September 2025.

    • All boats shall carry a VHF Radio

    • On the water, the race committee will make courtesy broadcasts to competitors on VHF radio. The channel will be stated in the SIs.

    • From the first warning signal until the end of the last race of the day, except in an emergency, a boat shall not make voice or data transmissions and shall not receive voice or data communication that is not available to all boats.

    • The event is open to all sailing yachts

    • The event will be raced under the RYA National Handicap Scheme with yachts not included in this scheme given a handicap by the organisers based on historical results.

    • Eligible boats may enter by filling out the online form and paying or entering at one of the pre race designated entry points (published on 15th August)

    • Whole Regatta €35 per boat

    • Feeder Race 17th September €15 per boat

    • Main Race 18th September €25 per boat

    • Entry on the day for either race is an extra €5

  • Wednesday 17th September 2025

    • 12.30 Briefing in Vounaki Marina

    • 14.00 Feeder Race Start off Palairos

    • 16.00 - 19.00 Feeder Race finish off Nikiana

    Thursday 18th September 2025

    • 11.30 Briefing in Nikiana

    • 14.00 Main Race Start off Thilia Island, Meganisi Channel

    • 16.00 - 19.00 Main Race finish off Syvota

  • Wednesday 17th September 2025

    • 14.00 Feeder Race Start Line will be off Palairos Village

    • The first mark will be to leave the island of Agia Nikolaus to port (4nm)

    • The second mark will be to leave the island of Sparti to starboard (4nm)

    • The final leg will be to a finish line off Nikiana (3nm)

    Thursday 18th September 2025

    • 14.00 Main Race Start Line will be off Thillia Island in the Meganisi Channel

    • Leave Arkoudi Island to starboard (8nm)

    • Finish Line off Syvota,Lefkada (5nm)

    All buoys and committee boat used for start and finish lines will be in the sailing instructions.

    • Any boats who have committed a foul against another boat shall do a two turn penalty in clear water

    • Protests are discouraged but if you would like to protest someone this must be accompanied by a €25 donation to a local charity

  • Each race will count separately and there will be the following prizes awarded:

    Feeder Race

    • 1st, 2nd and 3rd non spinnaker class

    • 1st, 2nd & 3rd spinnaker class

    Main Race

    • 1st, 2nd and 3rd non spinnaker class

    • 1st, 2nd & 3rd spinnaker class

    • Line Honours

    • Best Fancy Dress

    • Best placed newcomer

  • Berthing will be available to book in the following places on each night:

    Monday 15th

    • Neilson Vounaki Marina

    • Palairos Harbour

    Tuesday 16th

    • Breath of Zorbas Nikiana

    • Pontoons in Nikiana Harbour

    Wednesday 17th

    • Pontoons in Syvota harbour

    Further details and booking instructions will be provided at least 6 weeks before the event.

  • The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue to race is hers alone.’  By participating in this event each competitor agrees and acknowledges that sailing is a potentially dangerous activity with inherent risks.  These risks include strong winds and rough seas, sudden changes in weather, failure of equipment, boat handling errors, poor seamanship by other boats, loss of balance on an unstable platform and fatigue resulting in increased risk of injury.  Inherent in the sport of sailing is the risk of permanent, catastrophic injury or death by drowning, trauma, hypothermia or other causes.

  • Each participating boat shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of €5,000,000 per incident or the equivalent.

    • All yachts must carry standard safety gear.

    • Life jackets must be available for all crew.

    • The race committee may alter routes based on weather.