The 38th edition of The Bodrum Cup, the annual sailing race on Türkiye’s Aegean coast, has ended in Bodrum with the yacht DANIEL 1 taking the overall title, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported on Sunday.
Around 90 boats and about 1,000 sailors took part this year. According to the organisers, roughly 35% of the participants were foreign. The race was sailed in five stages over a total of 79 nautical miles, with a route taking the fleet between Bodrum, the ancient site of Knidos, Ortakent and Yalıkavak.
Winners by category
DANIEL 1 won the general classification, the Challenge Cup and the Bodrum Municipality Fidel Berber Special Award. The Year Special Cup went to MIHO DS, the Cruiser Cup to ATLAS G, and the prize for the fastest boat to BELİZ G.
The race began on 20 October with the traditional bell (‘kampana’) ceremony in Bodrum’s Municipality Square. The awards were presented at Yalıkavak Marina, followed by a concert. Muğla Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Aras, Bodrum District Governor Ali Sırmalı and Bodrum Mayor Tamer Mandalinci were among the speakers at the closing ceremony, along with sponsor representatives.
Proceeds go to a school ship
Organising committee chairman Süleyman Uysal, who also chairs the race’s foundation BOSAV, thanked the institutions, sponsors and sailors who took part. Erman Aras is the race’s founder and honorary president.
Income from sales of a special SumOne collection and from the closing concert was donated to BOSAV to cover the costs of its school ship, the ‘Bodrum Gemisi’, which is marking its 25th year. Uysal said a 39th edition is planned. For the 40th edition, he said, organisers want a long route similar to the long courses used in past editions, but it is too early for details.
Autumn on the Bodrum peninsula
The regatta is part of a busy late season on the peninsula, although hoteliers have reported weaker-than-hoped autumn occupancy along the Aegean coast this year. Sailors and visitors from Europe planning trips for next season may also want to note the new AJet direct flights from Germany to Dalaman and Bodrum for summer 2027.
For anyone thinking of moving to the area, our guide to living in Bodrum covers neighbourhoods, prices and practicalities.
Sources
Photo: Deniz Vatan / Unsplash License, via Unsplash
