HORC, the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club was founded in 1961 by a group of sailing enthusiasts who sought a venue for offshore yacht racing that would provide "that spirit of comradeship, of courtesy and chivalry, of sympathetic joy in a common sport". Today the club, with 300 members and over 60 yachts flying the HORC burgee, operates from its privately owned neoclassical clubhouse in Mikrolimano, a picturesque traditional spot in Piraeus. The club every year is organizing a number of national and international well known offshore sailing events. The history of the International Aegean Sailing Rally represents, in part, a history of the Hellenic Offshore Sailing Club. It is the oldest and most prestigious sailing regatta in Greece. Since 1964, it gathers contestants from around the world as well as top sailing teams from all over Greece. HORC is operating an Sailing Academy since 1969, with over 25,000 graduates to date. Since 1987, HORC is publishing a tri-monthly journal called 'Sailing World', in approximately 4,500 copies per issue, posted free of charge to all major relative authorities, the government, sailing clubs, etc. and to all the members and subscribers. HORC has 12 branches throughout Greece.