Eker Kaymak Wins the Final Race at the J70 Match Race

14. The J70 Match Race, held off the coast of the Moda Yacht Club as part of the TAYK–Eker Olympos Regatta, concluded after two days and 29 races with Eker Kaymak claiming the championship.

The outcome of the J70 Match Race remained in doubt until the very last race.

In the races held in Turkey for the third time as part of the TAYK–Eker Olympos Regatta, six teams competed against each other over two days in Moda Bay under variable wind conditions. After a total of 29 races, the championship title went to Eker Kaymak, helmed by Ahmet Eker.

The final series was contested over three races between Eker Kaymak and Koç University Sailing. Koç University Sailing, led by Can Ertürk, won the first race. Eker Kaymak evened the series in the second race. In the third and decisive race, Eker Kaymak maintained control throughout the race and turned the series in their favor.

While Koç University Sailing took second place, in the battle for third place, the Marmara Sailing Club, led by Batu Özonur, edged out SYS Sailing, led by Saruhan Çinay.

The wind changed, and tactics were readjusted

The conditions in Moda Bay, combined with the J70s’ tendency to sail close together, made even small positional differences one of the race’s decisive factors. The wind, which blew from directions around 20 degrees on the first day, shifted toward 40 degrees on the second day. Accordingly, the race committee updated the course layout and switched to a conditional mark system.

With 15 races completed on the first day and 14 on the second, the two-day program concluded as planned. The wind, which became more favorable on the second day, allowed for the course to be extended and for longer races.

Due to the nature of the J70 Match Race, the distance between the boats remained extremely limited throughout the race. Decisions such as starting position, cutting off an opponent, correctly reading wind shifts, and maintaining the advantageous line had a direct impact on the outcome.

This setup also made it easier to watch the race from the shore. Spectators along the Moda and Kalamış waterfronts were able to closely follow the moments—especially during the final series—when the boats closed in on each other as they jockeyed for position.

Last year's champion won the Grand Final

New additions to the organization this year J70 Match Race – Grand Final This stage was held as a separate race from the regular championship competition. Eker Kaymak, the 2026 J70 Match Race champion, faced off against last year’s champion, Doğa Arıbaş Sailing.

Doğa Arıbaş Sailing won the first two races of the series, which is won by the team that reaches three victories. Eker Kaymak narrowed the gap to one in the third race, while in the fourth race, as the wind died down, catching the right gust became critical. Doğa Arıbaş Sailing maintained its lead in the final race to win the Grand Final.

The semifinals and finals of the J70 Match Race were broadcast live on Eker Dairy Products’ YouTube channel and the Tribün Dergi account on X. During the broadcast, last year’s champion Doğa Arıbaş joined Emre Avcı to break down the tactical aspects of the races and highlight key moments for viewers. Experienced sailor Oğuz Ayan also provided commentary on developments on the course throughout the event.

Other courses of the Olympos Regatta

With the conclusion of the J70 Match Race, the program for the 14th TAYK–Eker Olympos Regatta continues. In the Dinghy Races hosted by Fenerbahçe Sailing Club, 133 young athletes aged 7–20 are competing in the Optimist, Optimist Junior, ILCA 4, and ILCA 6 classes.

Following the three races on August 12, the competition in these classes will conclude with two races on August 13.

The offshore leg of the regatta will begin with the Off-Shore Night Race on the Çınarcık course on August 14. The Yacht Class Buoy Race will take place on August 15, while the IOM class races will begin off the coast of the Moda Yacht Club on the same day and continue on August 16.

The final stage of the event will conclude with the Yacht Class race in the Bosphorus Strait on August 16.