Tony Cross
Well-Known Member
In October 2013 a series of races were inaugurated along the coast of northern Crete to celebrate 100 years of Crete becoming part of Greece, called the Cretan Union Cup it was a huge success, although all but one entry were Greek boats. This year the organising committee of Greek and Cretan yacht clubs has decided to organise as second running of the CU Cup from 21st May to 31st May 2015.
I realise that Crete is a long way from most people's cruising ground but I thought I'd post this in case anyone is in the area and would like to take part. Few details are available at present but what is known is the following:
The racing will be organised under ISAF rules but, this year, there will be an "unmeasured" class, a sort of "fun run" so that anyone can take part. There is a website for the CU Cup (http://cucup.gr/en) although it's largely empty at present, there is also a promotional video using footage from the first running in 2013 at http://youtu.be/KUtDHDRPN8Y.
The weather in Crete in late May is typically relatively calm, the winter southerlies will have ended long before and the summer Meltemi doesn't usually start until very late in June. That said, there should still be plenty of wind to make the racing interesting, although flat calm days are not unusual in May. Because of the calmer conditions the sea state is normally fairly benign in May so these should not be wet races. It's normally warm and sunny in May with no rain and temperatures should be around the mid 20's C.
The winter liveaboards will have mostly left Agios Nikolaos marina by then so a berth should be fairly easy to find here for a few days after the racing ends. Since the summer Meltemi doesn't usually start until late June this leaves lots of time to leave Crete for Turkey, Pennepolese, or north into the Aegean afterwards
Once the website is accepting entries it will be possible to enter online via the website, but I'm in close contact with one of the organisers so if there's anything I can do to help just let me know. We'll not be entering Little Roundtop but I'm hoping to get a crew berth on another boat!
I realise that Crete is a long way from most people's cruising ground but I thought I'd post this in case anyone is in the area and would like to take part. Few details are available at present but what is known is the following:
- The racing will start at Heraklion, there will be a race from Heraklion port around the island of Nisis Dhia (to the north of Heraklion) and back to Heraklion.
- There will be race from Heraklion to the port of Sitia at the far east end of the north coast of Crete. This will be followed by a big party in Sitia.
- There will be a race from Sitia around Dragonara Island (to the north of Sitia) and finishing in Agios Nikolaos.
- There will probably be round the cans races outside each port on the intervening days.
- The prize giving and wrap-up party will be in Agios Nikolaos.
The racing will be organised under ISAF rules but, this year, there will be an "unmeasured" class, a sort of "fun run" so that anyone can take part. There is a website for the CU Cup (http://cucup.gr/en) although it's largely empty at present, there is also a promotional video using footage from the first running in 2013 at http://youtu.be/KUtDHDRPN8Y.
The weather in Crete in late May is typically relatively calm, the winter southerlies will have ended long before and the summer Meltemi doesn't usually start until very late in June. That said, there should still be plenty of wind to make the racing interesting, although flat calm days are not unusual in May. Because of the calmer conditions the sea state is normally fairly benign in May so these should not be wet races. It's normally warm and sunny in May with no rain and temperatures should be around the mid 20's C.
The winter liveaboards will have mostly left Agios Nikolaos marina by then so a berth should be fairly easy to find here for a few days after the racing ends. Since the summer Meltemi doesn't usually start until late June this leaves lots of time to leave Crete for Turkey, Pennepolese, or north into the Aegean afterwards
Once the website is accepting entries it will be possible to enter online via the website, but I'm in close contact with one of the organisers so if there's anything I can do to help just let me know. We'll not be entering Little Roundtop but I'm hoping to get a crew berth on another boat!
