Cumhuriyet Cup Sailing Race on the Istanbul Strait

The Presidential International Sailing Races will mark the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey on October 29 on the Istanbul Strait. The Cumhuriyet Cup, the fourth and final leg of the seventh season, will start in front of Dolmabahçe Palace. Boats decorated with Turkish flags will race on one of the city's best-known waterways.

The race will be combined with the Republic Day celebrations. Crews will test their strategy, teamwork and endurance against the wind and currents of the Bosphorus. Spectators will be able to watch the race from the shoreline as the boats pass through the strait.

The races are organized under the patronage of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey. The organization is led by the Istanbul Open Sea Sailing Club. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Youth and Sports are providing support. The Istanbul Governorship and the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) are also cooperating.

Ekrem Yemlihaoğlu, President of the Istanbul Open Sea Sailing Club, spoke at a press conference held at Fişekhane and stressed the importance of introducing children and young people to sailing. Yemlihaoğlu said the sport contributes to values such as self-confidence, cooperation and respect for nature.

Yemlihaoğlu also addressed the economic opportunities of yacht tourism. He noted that in the European Union this sector generates an economic volume of 78 billion euros per year and provides employment for 234 thousand people. He emphasized that Turkey, with its marina, accommodation and service infrastructure, could take a larger share of this market.