Racing in Istanbul

Bosphorus kicks off on 26 June

From 26-29 June Istanbul, Turkey will host the IRC regatta called the Bosphorus Cup.

The yachts will sail between two continents (Europe and Asia) tacking up and down into the small bays of the world famous Bosphorus, a narrow, navigable strait between Europe and Asia connecting the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea. Among the 60 boats taking part will be IMX 45s, IMX 40s and Beneteau 40.7s.

The strait is dotted with former palaces of the Ottoman Empire, five star hotels on the water and the fishermen of the Black Sea who will have a chance to see the fleet locked in fierce competition.

On Sunday 29 June, the boat will be sailing around Princes Islands 6 nautical miles away from downtown Istanbul. Orhan Gorbon, Enver Adakan, Haluk Babacan, Þükrü Sanus, Arif Gürdenli will be some of the top Turkish contenders in the event.

In addition, Heart of America and the Whitbread 60 Odessa will also be taking part on the Bosphorus. Over the three day regatta, the boats will gather at the Ataköy Marina on the outskirts of Istanbul.

The race is being run by ORG Sports Marketing and organised jointly by Turkish Offshore Racing Club and Ataköy Marina Yacht Club, while it is sponsored by Garanti Bank, Turkish Financial Institution.