The Arkas Aegeanlink Regatta, eagerly anticipated by sailing enthusiasts, took place in Çeşme for the eighth time. Arkas Sailing Team claimed first place with their boat Blue Moon. HIT X finished second, and Göztepe Yelken Ağanlar 1925 secured third place. The overall awards were presented at a ceremony at Yıldızburnu Taş İskele, where all the sailors and locals enjoyed an unforgettable night with a concert by Mirkelam.
In its eighth year, Çeşme’s yacht race, the Arkas Aegeanlink Regatta, once again brought color to the shores of the town. Organized with the cooperation of Arkas, EAYK (Aegean Open Sea Yacht Club), and IC Çeşme Marina, and supported by the Turkish Sailing Federation, Çeşme Municipality, and the Çeşme District Governorship, the race took place from August 13 to 18. The regatta saw fierce competition among boats in the IRC and support classes, as well as the J70 class, with 32 boats and over 300 sailors participating.
Arkas Line served as the main sponsor of Arkas Aegeanlink Regatta 2024, while Corendon Airlines, Cevher, and FAMM Urla joined as co-sponsors to support the sport of sailing.
Champion of Arkas Aegeanlink Regatta 2024
On the fifth and final day of the Arkas Aegeanlink Regatta, held on August 18 in the Çeşme Strait, teams faced strong winds and stiff competition in a single race.
After six races over five days, Arkas Sailing Team, aboard Blue Moon, won the overall first prize which was presented by Funda Arkas, owner of FAMM Urla, one of the race’s sponsors. HIT X placed second overall, with Göztepe Yelken Ağanlar 1925 taking third. Arkas Blue Moon also claimed the Trophy cup, which they will hold for one year. The cup will be awarded to a new champion in next year’s race, and any boat that wins the race five consecutive years will retain the cup permanently. In the IRC A0 category, Arkas Blue Moon took first place, with Göztepe Yelken Ağanlar 1925 in second. In IRC A1, Lagertha finished first, Arkas Blue Moon I second, and Mersin Yelken Akademisi third. In IRC A2, HIT X claimed first place, Passion II-Lobster Sailing Team second, and Mersin Yelken Akademisi third. In IRC A3, Esquia finished first, Corendon Cheese second, and Toxic third. In IRC A4, Jumbo Jet took first, Zamazingo second, and Dawn third. In IRC A5, Beymetal Team LR finished first, Özay Sailing Team second, and Dalan Quattro third. In IRC B1, Callista came first, Corendon Cheese second, and Toxic third. In the support class, Elisa finished first, No Nema second, and My First third.
Speaking at the award ceremony at Yıldızburnu Taş İskele, Çeşme District Governor Mehmet Maraşlı said, “We are experiencing a wonderful evening with sports that resonate with the wind of Çeşme. I believe that surfing and sailing should be more prominently featured in Çeşme’s sports tourism. The sport of sailing is growing with the support of Arkas, the Turkish Sailing Federation, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Our main focus is tourism, and we believe that adding these sports to our tourism offerings will increase their visibility.”
Çeşme Mayor Lal Denizli highlighted that Çeşme hosted some very prestigious tournaments that week. Denizli stated, “I congratulate the Arkas family, our dedicated sports enthusiasts, and our coaches who have worked tirelessly to develop the sport without expecting anything in return. You are adding color to Çeşme’s wind. I hope this sport continues to grow and thrive.”
Arkas Holding Vice President Bernard Arkas emphasized the enjoyment of the event, saying, “Yıldızburnu is one of the places where I spent my childhood, so it holds a special place in my heart. We’ve all earned the right to have some fun. Enjoy yourselves!”
The President of the Turkish Sailing Federation, Özlem Akdurak, began her speech by thanking everyone involved in the organization. “We will grow as a family by viewing sailing as a unified sport with all its classes. I have just returned from the Olympics, one of the most important milestones. Our Olympic sailing team is now followed worldwide, which is a source of pride for all of us. Mr. Bernard Arkas has taken on the role of logistics sponsor for this team, and I extend my deepest thanks to him. This is not just sponsorship; it’s true partnership. As long as our district governor and mayor continue to support us in this incredible wind in Çeşme, we will hold many more races together. May your winds be ever favorable.”
EAYK President Ramazan Karakundakoğlu added, “We raced together and met on the sea together. I want to thank Arkas, Çeşme Marina, Çeşme Municipality, and all our sponsors for making this event possible. I hope that through activities like these, we can further develop our maritime culture.”
IC Çeşme Marina General Manager Toker Gürer commented, “We are committed to supporting sailing and yachting. It’s a pleasure to see all of you here at the award ceremony of the eighth edition of this event. I hope we continue to sustain this energy together.”
Çeşme Celebrates with Mirkelam
The closing party of this year’s Arkas Aegeanlink Regatta featured a special surprise. Held at Yıldızburnu Taş İskele, where the “Overall Category” winners received their trophies, the closing party included a memorable performance by artist Mirkelam. Residents of Çeşme enjoyed free access to the concert, making it a night to remember.
