Summer races I; Lavrio-Kea-Lavrio

Kea (Greek: Κέα), also known as Tzia is an island in the Cycladitic archipelago in the Aegean Sea.  Its climate is arid and its terrain is hilly.

Bronze-age settlements from the Minoan and Mycenean eras (1600-1400 BCE) have been found in Kea.

In antiquity Kea’s inhabitants were known for offering sacrifices to the Dog Star, Sirius and to Zeus asking for cooling breezes; if the star rose clear, it would portend good fortune; if it was misty or faint, it foretold of pestilence.

During the Byzantine period the island was quite prosperous.  The Venetians captured it during the Fourth Crusade and the Ottomans conquered it in 1537. Along with the rest of the Cyclades, Kea joined Greece following the Greek War of Independence in 1821. 

Kea’s capital, Ioulis, is quite picturesque.  It was build inland at a high altitude, as a defensive measure against pirate raids. 

Preparing for the Lavrio to Kea race on June 4^th, 2016; Kostas one of the most experienced sailors, my son John and my brother Nikos one of the best skippers at the cockpit of Okyrhoe.

Soon after the start, we are in first place, with the rest of the fleet following.  The course was 15 nm from the entrance of the port of Lavrio to the south end of Macronesos to the little bay of Korissia in the north end of the island of Kea (please see map above).

A cargo vessel one of many we passed by in the strait between Macronesos and Kea during the race.

John resting after we tied at the dock at Vurkari.  Incidentally, we were well ahead of the fleet the first day but race was called off because of lack of winds.  In the second day from Kea to Lavrio we were first again from Kea to port of Lavrio.  

Picturesque Vurkari inlet in the bay of Korissia.  In the back you can see the north end of Macronesos island on the left and the mountains of Porto Rafti on the right.