The fleet has left Antiparos harbour and is making its way towards the start area. Conditions remain favourable as crews complete final sail checks and tactical discussions ahead of the opening start sequence.
Race officials have confirmed today's courses following the morning captains' briefing, with the fleet split across two routes for the opening day of racing.
Course 99 Alpha will host the Apollo, Cyclades and Nireas classes, beginning with Cape Petalida to starboard, while the Meltemi and Skyphian classes will compete on Course 99 Bravo. The routes have been designed to take advantage of the prevailing conditions while showcasing some of the most spectacular waters surrounding Antiparos and the wider Cyclades.
Speaking to BOAT International, race officer Sulis said he expects the fleet to get away on schedule under favourable conditions. "We expect to start on time – if we need to postpone for any reason, that'll happen on the water," he said. "The forecast shows a west-northwesterly breeze of around 8-12 knots, which should be reasonably steady."
The slower classes will tackle a 17-nautical-mile course, while the faster yachts are expected to sail approximately 22 to 23 nautical miles.
"We're aiming to avoid a dead downwind leg, so there will be a couple of jibes but not too many," Sulis added. "This is my third edition of the event: we know the venue and the local conditions well, and I'm really excited to see these beautiful boats out on the water."
At 24 degrees Celsius and with clear skies, the opening day of racing has arrived. Crews are preparing for the opening contest of the Cyclades Cup 2026, with conditions expected to deliver a memorable first day of sailing among the islands of the central Aegean.