Sailing Excitement Begins in Istanbul: First Start Given at 14th TAYK – Eker Olympos Regatta

The 14th TAYK – Eker Olympos Regatta, organised as Turkey's longest sailing week, started with J70 class races held off Kalamış. On the event's first day, 9 boats competed in variable wind conditions, marking the start of 10 days of sailing excitement in Istanbul.

The 14th TAYK – Eker Olympos Regatta, organised in collaboration by Turkey Mediterranean Racing Club (TAYK), Turkish Sailing Federation and Eker Dairy Products, brings sailing enthusiasts together at different courses in Istanbul under the motto "Catch the Wind".

First J70 class competition at Kalamış
In the J70 races that began on 7 August off Kalamış, 9 boats competed on the same course. In races where speed, correct timing and team coordination were paramount, crews developed strategies against changing wind conditions as well as their rivals.

Competition in the J70 class will continue off Kalamış on 8 and 9 August. Races will be broadcast live on Eker's YouTube channel and D-Smart. Awards for the J70 class will be presented at a ceremony at Setur Kalamış Marina on Sunday, 9 August at 17:00.

Competitions continue in different classes
Following the J70 races under the TAYK – Eker Olympos Regatta, competitions will be held in different classes.

In J70 Match Race races scheduled for 11-12 August off Moda, teams will face one-on-one matchups. Dynamic Fleet races starting on the same dates and continuing until 13 August will see young sailors compete under the hosting of Fenerbahçe Sailing Club.

The Olympos Regatta Off-Shore Night Race, one of the event's most challenging stages, will start at 18:00 on 14 August on the Çınarcık course. In the long-distance race held under night conditions, teams' strategy, endurance and seamanship skills will be highlighted.

IOM class races will be held off Moda Marine Club on 15 and 16 August, with remote-controlled model boats competing. The Yacht Class Buoy Race scheduled for 15 August will also be among the important stages of the event.

Grand finale in the Istanbul Strait
The finale of the 10-day event will be held with Yacht class races in the Istanbul Strait on 16 August.

In the race starting at 12:00, teams will compete in the unique atmosphere of the Istanbul Strait. The event will conclude with an awards ceremony at 19:00 on the same day.

Races to be broadcast live
Important races held under the Olympos Regatta will be viewable not only from the sea but also from screens.

Live broadcasts on Eker's YouTube channel will use 3D graphics, race analysis and real-time data. Broadcasts prepared by a professional team with experience from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games broadcasting aim to enable viewers to follow the races more comprehensively.

8-9 August J70 races can be watched live on Eker's YouTube channel and D-Smart, while J70 Match Race stages and Istanbul Strait Race will be available on different broadcast platforms.

International visibility targeted through GoTürkiye
One of this year's innovations for the event is the collaboration with GoTürkiye.

With media and social media communication support from GoTürkiye, implemented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, the aim is to increase the international visibility of the 14th TAYK – Eker Olympos Regatta.

Sailing excitement continues on shore
Beyond races, social events will be held as part of the Regatta. Italian Night, Turkish Night, Festival Night and Street Flavours gatherings will bring together athletes, teams and sailing enthusiasts after the races.

14th TAYK – Eker Olympos Regatta schedule
7-8-9 August: J70 Races – Kalamış Waters
10 August: Dynamic Fleet Categories Registration
11-12 August: J70 Match Race – Moda Marine Club Waters
11-12-13 August: Dynamic Fleet Races – Fenerbahçe Sailing Club
14 August: Olympos Regatta Off-Shore Night Race – Çınarcık Course
15 August: Olympos Regatta Buoy Race
15-16 August: IOM Class Remote-Controlled Model Boat Races – Moda Marine Club
16 August: Istanbul Strait Race and Awards Ceremony

The 14th TAYK – Eker Olympos Regatta, which will sustain sailing excitement at different points in Istanbul over 10 days, will conclude with the final race in the Istanbul Strait on 16 August.