TAYK–AKPA 54th Naval Forces Cup International Yacht Race Begins

The TAYK–AKPA 54th Naval Forces Cup International Yacht Race, which contributes to the development of Turkish maritime culture and is Turkey's longest-distance and most prestigious open-sea yacht race, started on Monday, 14 July 2025 at 16:05 with the start given from Istanbul Emirgan.

The race is being held under the patronage of the Turkish Naval Forces Command, organized by the Turkey Open Sea Racing Club (TAYK), and supported as main sponsor by AKPA Kimya, which has sustained this role continuously for four years.

With a total route of 555 nautical miles, the organization holds the distinction of being the longest yacht race organized in a single leg in Turkey. A total of 27 vessels participated in IRC 0-1-2-3 classes. Of the participating vessels, 12 are foreign-flagged and 15 are Turkish-flagged.

Opening Ceremony Held with Official Attendance
The official ceremony held before the start of the race was attended by state officials, senior commanders from the Turkish Naval Forces, representatives of local administration, and prominent names from the sports and business sectors.

The protocol attendees at the opening ceremony were as follows:
• Istanbul Governor Davut Gül
• 3rd Army Corps Commander Lieutenant General Sezai Özturk
• Northern Sea Area Commander Rear Admiral Mustafa Kaya
• Istanbul Strait Commander Rear Admiral Selçuk Akari
• Submarine Operations and Rescue Commander Rear Admiral Eren Günay
• Deputy on behalf of Sarıyer Mayor Meltem YÜCEL PİR
• TAYK General Manager Can Giray
• AKPA Kimya Board of Directors Chairman Kemal Darcan
• AKPA Kimya Deputy General Manager Zafer Darcan
• Race jury panel and TAYK organization team

An impressive naval demonstration performed at 15:00 by the Submarine Command (SAT) and specialized personnel received great applause from spectators. Then at 15:45, with the arrival of Istanbul Governor Davut Gül to the ceremony area, the vessels took their positions for the start. At 16:05, the race officially began with Rear Admiral Mustafa Kaya firing the starting gun.

Strategic Support: AKPA Kimya
AKPA Kimya, which stands out with its contribution to the development of maritime culture and public benefit approach, has been supporting this valuable organization as main sponsor for four years without interruption. The company aims to create sustainable value not only through economic contributions but also through the responsibilities it assumes in sports, education, culture and environment.

AKPA Kimya demonstrates a visionary corporate identity through long-term collaborations it undertakes for the development of Turkish sports and the preservation of maritime heritage. In this context, the strategic support it provides to international-caliber organizations such as the Naval Forces Cup is a concrete manifestation of its corporate social responsibility understanding.

AKPA Kimya Board of Directors Chairman Kemal Darcan made the following statement before the race:
"We take great pride in supporting Turkey's longest-distance, most challenging and single-stage yacht race. This race is not merely a sporting competition; it also holds great importance in terms of the development of maritime culture, the strengthening of international maritime friendships, and the representation of our country's maritime vision at the international level. We wish all our athletes a successful, safe and breezy race."

Race Route and Awards Ceremony
The race consists of the following stages, starting from Istanbul/Istinye:

Dardanelles Strait – Bozcaada – Lesbos (port call) – Chios (port call) – Ikaria (port call) – Rhodes – Fethiye Bay / Göcek waters.

This challenging competition, carried out under the slogan "One Race, Two Straits, Three Seas," will end in Göcek on Friday, 18 July 2025 at 12:00.

At the awards ceremony to be held at the end of the race, the TAYK–AKPA Naval Forces Cup will be presented to the vessel and crew that completes the race with the best corrected time in the IRC classes.
This year as well, this valued organization, which brings together maritime passion, sporting discipline and international friendship, is preparing to secure once again a distinguished place in Turkey's maritime history.