The Bosphorus Cup: Where even the practice race is a rare treat
by Quinag 19 Sep 2024 10:35 PDT
19-22 September 2024
The Bosphorus Cup © Pedro Martinez / Sailing Energy
Sometimes in sailing regattas, the result is the only thing that matters. Not with the Bosphorus Cup however. Turkey's premier yachting event brings back many of the same sailors year after year not just because of the strength of the competition, but also because of the stunning surroundings.
Now on its 23rd edition, the list of 96 entries is stronger than ever. Topping the bill are two Greek entries, a Volvo Ocean 70 Aiolos, owned by George Procopiou, and Meliti, a Garcia 86 owned by Stratis Andreadis.
Procopiou comes for the competition, although the octogenarian sailing fan says there are more important reasons for attending. Speaking at the al fresco breakfast for international sailors in the beautiful surroundings of Istanbul Sailing Club this morning, Procopiou gave a speech from the heart. "The sea is the avenue that connects the people. The sea is the avenue of friendship, the avenue of prosperity. It brings together all the civilisations of the Mediterranean, and I consider this regatta to be a regatta of friendship."
Of course when the boats line up for the start, it will turn to a sense of friendly rivalry as they jostle for the best position on the race track. Former Olympic PRO Nino Schmueli is back for his second year to run the racing for the coming days. After a successful day of practice racing on the Sea of Marmara and moderate breeze gusting up to 17 knots under bright blue skies, Schmueli is confident about the expected wind. "Tomorrow it should be 10 knots of breeze by 1pm and building to maybe 16 or 17 knots by the late afternoon," he said. "So I think we will go for a long day of racing, perhaps two windward-leeward courses and a longer distance coastal race."
Last year's winning skipper, Baris Koncagül, knows that to repeat victory this year will be difficult. "The standard of competition will be higher for sure," said the skipper of the 14m Christian Stimson-designed Fenerbahçe 1. Winner of three straight races on the final day of 2023, Koncagül is not expecting to be able to deliver that level of consistency again. "I think there are many good contenders. Aiolos will be very strong. They have very good Olympic sailors on board like [Rio 2016 bronze medallists] Mantis Panagiotis and Pavlos Kagialis."
Another one to watch will be Yasar Doga Aribas' team on Coca Cola Içedek - Das. Two years ago Aribas sailed to victory on an Archambault 35 although this time the crew are aiming to get to the front on board a Farr 40.
The first around-the-cans races take place off Caddebostan on Friday. Saturday sees the fleet take part in the Bosphorus Race, as the sailors take on the mighty Strait, spanned by three spectacular suspension bridges. Then on Sunday it's back to Caddebostan to complete the series of races and see who becomes the overall winner of the Bosphorus Cup 2024.
Running alongside the racing programme is a social and cultural programme to showcase the vibrant life that goes on a city of 15 million inhabitants. Event founder Orhan Gorbon is excited to help bring the city alive for the sailors visiting from across Europe and even further afield. Equally the sight of almost a hundred sailing yachts competing beneath the three spectacular suspension bridges that span the Bosphorus Strait will be a moment for the citizens of Istanbul to savour. With strong winds forecast for this Saturday, the Theater of Winds will come alive as the fleet races its way through the beating heart of this ancient city.