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The Bosphorus turned into a sea of color and pride as the 6th Presidential International Yacht Races concluded with a grand finale on Wednesday, coinciding with Türkiye’s 102nd Republic Day.
The final leg, known as the Republic Cup, brought together 70 yachts and more than 700 sailors from Türkiye and abroad, transforming Istanbul’s waterways into a dazzling display of maritime mastery and national unity.
Organized under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye – with support from the Culture and Tourism Ministry, the Youth and Sports Ministry, the Istanbul Governor’s Office, and the Turkish Sailing Federation – the event was hosted by the Istanbul Offshore Yachting Club (IOYC) and sponsored by DHL Express Türkiye.
The competition has grown into one of the nation’s most prestigious sailing spectacles, symbolizing Türkiye’s deep-rooted maritime tradition and its vision for youth development through sport.
The Republic Cup’s opening ceremony took place off Dolmabahçe Palace, where sailors and spectators joined in a solemn moment of silence in tribute to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms, followed by the Turkish National Anthem.
As the yachts unfurled their sails, the race began under a soft northerly breeze, with the majestic backdrop of Istanbul’s skyline – stretching from the Bosphorus Bridge to the Maiden’s Tower – painting a perfect maritime panorama.
The sight of yachts gliding between Europe and Asia offered a stirring blend of symbolism and spectacle.
Families and onlookers lined the shore from Beşiktaş to Kadıköy, waving flags and cheering as the fleet maneuvered through the currents.
For more than three hours, sailors battled shifting winds and challenging tides, executing tight tacks and gybes with surgical precision.
The competition demanded not just endurance but keen strategy, as teams adjusted sail trim and navigational tactics to seize every advantage on the unpredictable Bosphorus waters.
The Istanbul leg marks the culmination of a four-stage odyssey that began months earlier across Türkiye’s historic seas.
The first leg, the Kurtuluş Kupası (Liberation Cup), honored Atatürk’s 1919 landing in Samsun with a route from Istanbul to the Black Sea port city.
The Cyprus Cup followed in July, linking Marmaris to Girne (Kyrenia) in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, strengthening maritime and cultural ties between the two nations.
The third leg, the Zafer Kupası (Victory Cup), held in Çanakkale, paid homage to the Gallipoli Campaign with tactical races through the Dardanelles.
Each stage carried historical meaning and tested the sailors’ mettle across vastly different waters.
From the gusty Black Sea to the calm yet deceptive Mediterranean, teams demonstrated resilience and unity – embodying the spirit of the Republic itself.
The cumulative results from all four stages will determine the overall champion, who will be crowned at the award ceremony on Nov. 2 at Istanbul’s historic Fişekhane Park, a former Ottoman munitions factory now reborn as a cultural venue.
The upcoming buoy and coastal course races on Nov. 1-2 will add a final burst of intensity.
Crews will navigate short, high-speed routes across the Sea of Marmara, emphasizing precision, coordination, and teamwork.
Forecasts predict moderate southerly winds between 10 and 15 knots – conditions ideal for tactical racing but capable of shifting quickly, keeping competitors alert until the finish.
For IOYC President and Organizing Committee Chair Ekrem Yemlihaoğlu, the races represent more than a sporting event – they are a celebration of the Republic’s enduring values.
“To salute our Republic at sea, with sails raised high, is a profound honor,” he said. “This organization’s greatest mission is to encourage young people to embrace sailing and the sea. Sailing teaches discipline, resilience, and teamwork – qualities essential to the Republic’s youth.”
Beyond the thrill of competition, the Presidential Yacht Races have emerged as a bridge between tradition and modernity.
They promote environmental awareness, maritime culture, and sustainable sports tourism – echoing Türkiye’s vision for a “blue economy” centered on the preservation and responsible use of its seas.
With more than 1,000 participants across its stages, global media coverage, and expanding international recognition, the event continues to position Türkiye as a rising hub for world-class sailing.
