36th International Ionian Sailing Week

Looking back through the years, according to the accounts of veteran sailors, the forerunners of this event appear to have been races such as the Kefalonia Cup or other attempts that did not continue, such as Corfu–Piraeus or Patras–Corfu, among others.

The race in its current form began in 1989, with few entries and routes such as Corfu–Zakynthos non-stop or Patras–Corfu non-stop, where a defining feature was competing alongside legendary figures of Greek sailing of that era, including the late Savvas Georgiou.

It began to attract interest and then success, and from 1999 one could say it acquired its present form and character in terms of routes, mileage, and the philosophy of the race. It has grown into a popular event with many entries — consistently around 70 per year — and is the race with the broadest club representation (boats from approximately 25 clubs annually) as well as foreign entries, most frequently from Italy.

The two founding clubs are those of Patras (Ionian Offshore Patras) and Corfu (Ionian Offshore Corfu), supported by fellow Ionian clubs such as A.N.O. Zakynthos, N.O. Kefalonia–Ithaca, N.O. Argostoli (in earlier years), N.O. Lefkada (now), and A.O. Ithaca “Η Πρόοδος”.

A key characteristic of the race is the alternation of the main organising club between I.O. Patras and I.O. Corfu, with routes starting from Patras when Patras organises and from Corfu when Corfu organises. The race has no fixed route and has the ability to visit different destinations and harbours each year, offering variety and the unexpected on one of the most historic and beautiful seas in the world.

An important aspect of the race — perhaps what has made it very popular among sailors — is that the course design, combined with prevailing weather conditions and distances, allows participation by boats with a modest budget and even gives sailors with some experience the chance to compete against the best sailors in the country.

The race is usually Category 4 (occasionally Category 3), with entries in ORC Club, ORC International, IRC, and occasionally a cruising class.