Howth Yacht Club Crew Set for Rolex Aegean 600 Challenge

26 June 2026

Howth Yacht Club sailors are preparing to take on one of offshore sailing’s most demanding and spectacular races when they line up for the 2026 Rolex Aegean 600, starting from Athens, Greece, on Sunday, 5 July. The race gets underway at 12:00pm Irish time.
 
Skippered by Darren Wright, the crew of Xcalibur Team HYC brings together a blend of offshore experience, youth and proven racing talent. Joining Darren are fellow HYC members Michael Wright, Jett Wright, Conor Fogarty, Aodhan Malone, Rocco Wright and Brian Turvey, alongside former Howth sailor Bill Heffernan, now based in Athens, navigator Tom Chaney (fresh from the Round Ireland Race) and Grace Murray.
 
For several members of the team, the event represents unfinished business. Darren, Michael and Grace competed in the 2025 Rolex Aegean 600 aboard Team HYC Gazelle, Howth Yacht Club’s entry in last year’s race. Their experience of the challenging Aegean conditions will be a valuable asset as the crew prepares for this year’s race.
 
The team has chartered a brand-new XR 41 from X-Yachts Greece for the race. The latest offshore design from X-Yachts, the XR 41 has already established a reputation as a fast, versatile and prize-winning offshore racing yacht. Combining modern performance with offshore capability, it promises to be an exciting platform for the demanding 605-nautical-mile challenge ahead.
 
This year’s Rolex Aegean 600 has attracted an impressive fleet of 76 entries from around the world, underlining the race’s growing reputation as one of the premier offshore events on the international sailing calendar.
 
Organised by the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club and supported by Rolex, the Rolex Aegean 600 starts and finishes beneath the ancient Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion. The course takes competitors on an unforgettable journey through the islands of the Aegean Sea, passing some of Greece’s most iconic coastlines and landmarks.
 
The race is renowned not only for its stunning scenery but also for the demanding conditions it can produce. Crews must be able to contend with the powerful Meltemi winds, intense summer temperatures and a constantly changing tactical landscape created by the complex geography of the Greek islands. Success will require the principal combination of endurance, teamwork, navigation as well as the ability to make the right decisions under pressure, often after days at sea.
 
The crew will spend valuable time training aboard their XR 41 before the start, focusing on reefing techniques, sail handling, manoeuvres and general familiarisation with what promised to be a very fast and highly rated boat. With a mixture of experienced offshore sailors and emerging talent, the team is looking forward to testing itself against an international fleet in what has become one of the world’s most distinctive offshore races.
 
While the competition will be very challenging, the campaign also reflects one of the enduring strengths of Howth Yacht Club: sailors of different generations coming together to take on racing challenges beyond Irish waters. The core team has annually represented HYC over the last decades in the most prestigious international offshore racing events such as: Fastnet Races, Round Ireland Races, Sydney to Hobart Race, Middle Sea Race and Giraglia Races. These experienced campaigners continue to encourage younger crew members in building offshore racing experience, and the team reflects the depth of talent that continues to develop and thrive within the club.
 
Members can follow Xcalibur Team HYC throughout the race via the tracker available on the official Rolex Aegean 600 website.
 
With an expected race duration of 4 to 5 days, you’ll be able to watch the fleet’s progress on a dedicated live tracking app accessed from the event website.
 
Wishing the team the best of luck and safe sailing as they take part in this 2026 Rolex Aegean 600 Race!