The annual sailing races held in the Bosphorus Strait during the summer months could not take place this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The organizers found a solution in the virtual environment. The Turkish Offshore Racing Club (TAYK) organized an event that was a first for the country. Club members brought together 25,525 sailing enthusiasts, including 240 Turks and competitors from different countries, via a computer simulator. The game, played via computer using real weather and sea conditions data, started yesterday from Istanbul's Çengelköy. Depending on weather conditions, the game is expected to last five days and will end in Didim, Aydın.
A FIRST IN TURKEY
TAYK organizer Emir İçgören stated that the game provided an opportunity to introduce Turkey to many foreign boat enthusiasts. In his statement, İçgören said, “This method was used for the first time in Turkey. Thousands of boat racers came together through a computer game. The racers started the race under real weather and sea conditions. This method was applied for the first time in our country. Nearly 26,000 racers joined the game. Thousands of foreign boat owners got to know our country.”.
‘THEY JOINED FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD’
National sailor Deniz Fıçı (43) also participated in the virtual boat race. Fıçı said in a statement, “During the pandemic, when we couldn't go out to sea, we turned to games in the virtual environment. Since it's being held in Turkey for the first time, it's open to both Turkish and international competitors. People from all over the world are racing on the same course. Whatever wind there is on the real sea, there is here too. It's very challenging. You're in contact with different people. It was a great organization.”.
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