From Zero to Fleet: RS Feva Ignites a New Era of Youth Racing in Turkey
by RS Marine Group 22 May 2025 04:00 PDT
RS Feva Ignites a New Era of Youth Racing in Turkey © Performans Yelken
The RS Feva is making waves in Turkey, thanks to the strategic efforts of Performans Yelken and its founder, Ismail Uzunlar, the official RS Sailing dealer in the country.
Since joining the RS Sailing family, Uzunlar has spearheaded a grassroots initiative that has transformed the RS Feva from a training boat into a rapidly growing and competitive racing class.
In the last four months, Performans Yelken has accomplished a remarkable repositioning of the RS Feva within the Turkish sailing landscape. Through collaborative efforts with local sailing clubs, the boat has seen a surge in adoption - growing from nearly zero boats to a fleet of 21 spread across 5 to 6 clubs. This momentum is set to continue, with a goal of expanding to over 30 boats across 10 clubs by September 2025.
Key achievements include:
- Strategic repositioning of the RS Feva from a school-level training dinghy to a legitimate racing class in Turkey.
- Partnerships with clubs, offering competitive pricing and support to accelerate adoption.
- Integration of RS Feva races into Optimist regattas to boost visibility and engagement.
- Ongoing collaboration with the Turkish Sailing Federation to incorporate RS Feva events into the official 2025-2026 racing calendar.
- Ambitions to send Turkish teams to compete internationally in the RS Feva World Championships in 2026.
Michiel Geerling, Commercial Director at RS Sailing commented, "We believe this momentum deserves to be shared on a global scale - not only to highlight the vibrant development in Turkey, but also as an example of how a focused and well-supported initiative can build an entire class from the ground up in a new market."
About Performans Yelken
Founded by Uzunlar - who brings over 25 years of coaching experience, including work with Optimist, ILCA Laser, and Olympic sailing programs - Performans Yelken is a one-stop solution for sailing in Turkey. The company offers everything from boat sales and marine equipment to private coaching, race management consulting, and international training camps. "When I was deciding which brands to represent, RS Sailing was an obvious choice," Uzunlar added. "These boats are exactly what my clients need."
About the RS Feva
The RS Feva is the fastest growing double-handed youth class internationally, recognised by World Sailing. Developed by RS Sailing, this modern boat is a go-to dinghy for families, clubs and National Authorities looking to build the pathway to a lifetime in sailing. The International Class Association hosts championships around the globe with sell-out attendance.
Chrissie Le Petit, Secretary of the RS Feva International Class Association, commented: "It's incredibly inspiring to see the rapid growth of the RS Feva in Turkey. What Ismail Uzunlar and the team at Performans Yelken have achieved in such a short time is a testament to the global potential of this class when it's supported with passion and purpose. We're proud to welcome Turkey into the RS Feva family and are very much looking forward to seeing their sailors on the international stage - especially at events like the RS Feva World Championships."
Join the Journey
As RS Feva continues to grow in Turkey, Performans Yelken is open to exploring global partnerships for visibility, support, and strategic collaboration. With the right alignment, this initiative is poised to become a case study in class development success.
Want to find out more? Follow Performans Yelken on Facebook and Instagram for updates, fleet photos, and behind-the-scenes insights from the growing RS Feva scene in Turkey.