The ARKAS Aegean Link Regatta will be held in Cesme for the eighth time. Organized since 2017 has been held with the support of Arkas, EAYK (Aegean Open Sea Yacht Club), IC Cesme Marina, Turkish Sailing Federation, Cesme Municipality and Cesme Governor's Office. Thanks to this event, Cesme will witness the dance of yachts with the wind on August 14-15-16-17-18 after the opening cocktail party on August 13.
Cesme's traditional yacht race, the ARKAS Aegean Link Regatta, will once again brighten up Cesme in its eighth year. The race, organized with ARKAS, the Turkish Sailing Federation, EAYK, and IC Cesme Marina joining forces to develop sailing in Türkiye and increase the sport's activity in Cesme, will feature competition among IRC, Support Class, and J70 Class boats.
In the last seven years, more than 300 boats and almost 3000 sailors participated in the ARKAS Aegean Link Regatta. This year the main sponsor is Arkas Line, while Corendon, Cevher and FAMM Urla are co-sponsors to contribute to the sailing sport. Notable is the fact that Blue Moon team will participate with a new TP52 boat and Blue Moon 1 will be led by woman captain Ipek Kirkavak and 2 more women will be added in the crew, making their participation special.
Days of Competition at Sea, Evenings of Fun On Land
The race will start after the opening cocktail party at Cesme Marina Yacht Club by IC Cesme Marina on the evening of August 13, and on the first day the teams will compete in the geographical and buoy routes of the Corendon Race. On the second day, sailors will race to be the first to cross the finish line in the Cevher Races, which will feature two buoy course races, with the goal of winning the Cevher Cup. After the races, sailors will gather at the observation terrace to participate in the Cevher Street Flavors event, organized with the support of Cesme Municipality.
On the third day of the races, August 16, the competition among J70 class boats will enliven the coasts of Cesme and create a festive atmosphere on land. Sailing enthusiasts who want to watch the races will gather at the Corendon Festival at Dilaila Beach, where the sailors will receive their awards in a double ceremony, one for the Corendon Cup and the other for the J70 Cup.
The Great Finale in Ilica
The winners of the ARKAS Aegean Link Regatta will be determined after two races on the fourth day, August 17—one from Ilica to the designated Buoy and another from Ilica to IC Cesme Marina— and one race on the fifth and final day, August 18, in front of IC Cesme Marina. The closing party for the event will be a surprise this year. At the closing party, which will be held at Ilica Square, where the winners of the “Overall Category” will receive their cups, Mirkelam will put on a great show for an even more unforgettable evening.
The winning boat will take home the ARKAS Aegean Link Regatta cup for the entire year. The cup will then be passed on to the next year's champions. The boat that wins the race for five consecutive years will become the permanent owner of the cup.
Text Credits: ICARUS Sports
Photo Credits: ARKAS Aegean Link Regatta
