10 May 2024: Pytheas still sailing to Marseilles despite weather difficulties
The captain of the sailing vessel “PYTHEAS”, Giorgos Kesses, ran into bad weather conditions on his journey sailing to Marseilles, to accompany the French vessel “Belem” with the Olympic flame, as a result of which he was quite delayed. Nevertheless, he tirelessly continues his journey, and sends us the following announcement:
“With my thanks for the festive wishes you send me: “Pytheas”, on its way for the last 3 days, faced a very big storm on its way, in the sea of Tyryne. He leaves today (May 10th) from Olvia, Sardinia for Marseille, but from tomorrow he is expected to encounter bad times again in front of him and against him on his way. But even with a delay, “Pytheas” will arrive in Marseille, with the Greek flag and the flag of his beloved city of Piraeus, carrying – in his own way – the power of the human will of the Olympic ideal. Bad weather may have delayed the journey, but it will by no means succeed in diverting Pytheas from his final destination. Traveling with me are all those who “embraced” and supported this project. So let’s go…”
13 May 2024: Marseilles
Giorgos Kesses, skipper of the sailing vessel “Pytheas“, completed the first leg of his “Olympic journey” by arriving in Marseille, where he handed over the flag of Piraeus to the Municipality of its “sister” city, Marseilles, during an honorary event.
Pytheas accompanied the French sailing ship “Belem“, which carried the Olympic Flame to France in view of the 2024 Olympics, with some intermediate stations of Greek interest along the way.
The captain of Pytheas speaks exclusively to Voice of Greece and the show “Fair Winds and Following Seas” with Antonis Karagiannakis, recounting the difficulties he encountered during the first part of his journey – culminating in the two days where he stayed awake sailing open from Naples, Italy, with 9 Beaufort on the Holy Days of Easter-.
He shares the details of his solitary journey and explains who kept him company on the journey to Marseilles and his return.
Upon arrival in Nice, the Governor of Pytheas will be greeted by the Mayor of Marseille, Mr. Benoit Payan, as well as by the Greek Minister of Foreign Relations of the French Government and responsible for the organization of the Olympic Games, Ms. Chrysoula Zacharopoulou.
16 May 2024: Nice
The ‘Olympic’ return trip of Pytheas to Piraeus will begin with the first stop in Nice and a reception by the Greek Community there on Thursday, May 16.
Arrival in Nice, Friday morning, May 17.
Upon arrival in Nice, the Governor of Pytheas will be greeted by the Mayor of Marseille, Mr. Benoit Payan, as well as by the Greek Minister of Foreign Relations of the French Government and responsible for the organization of the Olympic Games, Ms. Chrysoula Zacharopoulou.
Giorgos Kesses, captain and sole crew of the sailing vessel “Pytheas“, has arrived at the port of Marseilles from Piraeus, after an arduous journey, full of experiences, unexpected incidents and difficulties. He excitedly shares with us the reception he received from the Greeks of the French port, the meetings planned after his arrival and the delivery of the flag of Piraeus to the Municipality of its sister city of Marseilles in the coming days.
Pytheas accompanied the French sailing ship “Belem“, which carried the Olympic Flame to France in view of the 2024 Olympics, with some intermediate stations of Greek interest along the way.The ‘Olympic’ return trip of Pytheas to Piraeus will begin with the first stop in Nice and a reception by the Greek Community there on Thursday, May 16.
Arrival in Nice, Friday morning, May 17.
22 May 2024: Corsica
The captain of the sailing boat “Pytheas”, Giorgos Kesses, speaks once again on the show “Fair Winds and Following Seas“, from Bonifacio, Corsica, where the ship is currently docked upon arrival from Nice. (audio interview with Antonis Karagiannakis)
The captain was welcomed in Corsica by several Greeks from the regions of Nicaea, Cargèse and Bonifacio. Among them, the Ambassador of Greece in Paris, Mr. Dimitris Zevelakis, Mrs. Alexandra Mantzila – Minister Plenipotentiary 2nd Class of the Greek Embassy in Paris, the Mayor of the small town of Cargèse, Mr. Francois Garidacci and Marie-Louise Zanettacci (Tzanetaki).
On his journey, Giorgos Kesses, in collaboration with the Greek Consulates, our expatriates, and the local authorities, encounters third and fourth-generation Greeks, who express their love and nostalgia for their homeland.
The captain of Pytheas talks to us about the monuments, the temples (Agios Spyridon), the cities and the people he meets, and he describes the marinas and the infrastructures he encounters in the places he passes through.
