Representing Türkiye with its yacht “Blue Moon,” Arkas Sailing Team successfully completed the 46th Rolex Middle Sea Race, standing out on the challenging Mediterranean course.
Arkas Sailing Team successfully completed the 46th Rolex Middle Sea Race, one of the Mediterranean’s most prestigious offshore regattas. Organized by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, the legendary 606-nautical-mile route started on October 18 from Malta’s Valetta Harbor and circled Sicily in a counterclockwise direction. Representing Türkiye with its TOP52 yacht “Blue Moon,” Arkas Sailing Team showcased exceptional skill and endurance.
Competing among 118 boats in the IRC Category, the team finished 9th in IRC Class 2, closing the season with a highly respectable result.
Strong Start, Unexpected Challenge
Making an ambitious start in the early stages of the race, Arkas Sailing Team held a position within the top five of its class up to the Strait of Messina. However, near Messina, a fishing net became entangled around the yacht’s keel, forcing the crew to pause temporarily. The team had to dive and cut the net manually, losing valuable minutes in the process. Despite this setback, Arkas Sailing Team regained momentum and maintained a steady pace throughout the remaining course, successfully reaching the finish line.
“This Race Is a Test of Both Endurance and Team Spirit”
Following the race, Skipper Tolga Yagli of Arkas Sailing Team commented: “We started the race with great momentum executing the right strategies to stay near the top during the first day. Unfortunately, a fishing net caught on our kneel near Messina, costing us valuable minutes – but our determination never wavered. The crew showed remarkable resilience and teamwork. This competition tested us both physically and mentally, yet it also became an invaluable opportunity for learning and improvement.
Technical Excellence and a Contribution to Turkish Sailing
With this race, Arkas Sailing Team once again demonstrated its established presence in Türkiye’s offshore sailing scene.
Following its strong performances throughout the season in Palermo-Monte Carlo, Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, and Genoa Sailing Week, the team concluded the year with the Rolex Middle Sea Race, standing out for its discipline, engineering precision, team harmony, and strategic decision-making skills.
Future Goal: Faster, Further
Arkas Sailing Team focuses not only on racing performance but also on building a sustainable maritime culture and sports ecosystem. Thanks to Arkas’ long-term investments in sports, professional team management, technical advancement, and international representation standards in Turkish sailing continue to rise.
In the 2026 season, the team will once again compete on the prestigious offshore routes of the Mediterranean. While the technical crew works meticulously on equipment optimization, route analysis, and meteorological simulations, the goal is not merely participation – but consistent podium success.
