The sea is a country's way of expressing itself and the strongest reflection of its character. Organized under the auspices of the Presidency Presidential 7th International Yacht Races’s press conference is based on this visionary narrative that transcends the boundaries of sports. From April 23rd to October 29th, the calendar is positioned as a prestigious year-round representation of Turkey's strategic relationship with the sea.
The seventh edition of the organization this year confirms that continuity has become an unshakable claim. The growth from a boutique structure in the early years to a capacity of 200 teams and over 2000 athletes today proves that the project has grown both quantitatively and perceptually. Participation from 14 different countries is a result of the high visibility of the races in the international arena.
At the heart of the discourse at the press conference was the fact that sailing is a multi-layered field of value. Chairman of the Organizing Committee Ekrem Yemlihaoglu’s following words are the most concrete reflection of this approach:
“Today, we have come together here to show Turkey's power and vision in the seas to the whole world once again. We are going through a period of wars and uncertainties in many parts of the world. In such an environment, it is a great pride for us as Turkey to be sailing safely, freely and proudly in our own territorial waters.”
This powerful phrase signifies security, stability and international standing. The economic value created by sailing on a global scale is also evaluated from the same perspective. As Yemlihaoğlu emphasizes:
“Sailing is a field that generates billions of dollars. For this reason, sailing is one of the most gripping, prestigious and value-added branches of sports tourism.”
At this point, the organization stands out as a sports tourism strategy rather than a race series. The stage structure covering different geographies of Turkey forms the backbone of this strategy. Bosphorus’from Canakkale’and from there Marmaris-Girne on the line Cyprus Cup’s maritime culture is visible in a wide geography.
Turkish Sailing Federation President Özlem Akdurak’His evaluations reveal the sporting depth of the success graph:
“We continue to fly our flag in the international community with our increasing success every year. Our momentum in 2025 has made us the country with the highest number of medals in youth classes, world and European championships.”
This shows that races are part of a huge sports ecosystem that feeds on infrastructure. Special incentives for university and women's teams are an important pillar of this expansion strategy.
Race calendar April 23, May 19, August 30 and October 29 The fact that it is sealed with historical references such as the Turkish national memory adds a spiritual depth to the organization. This connection between sports and national memory carries the races beyond competition to a symbolic ground.
As a result CPresidency International Yacht Races, In its seventh year, as a platform that has proven its maturity, Turkey's presence in the seas is shouting out to the world in a multidimensional way. The increase in participation, the expansion of the route and the strengthening of the discourse are the most tangible evidence of this success.
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