2023 Arkas Aegean Link Regatta sets sail
by Icarus Sports 23 Aug 2023 12:45 PDT
22-27 August 2023
Akif Sezer © Icarus Sports
The 7th Arkas Aegean Link Regatta has started. The competition, which will include over 400 sailors on 38 boats for six days of enjoyment on land and at sea, began with an opening cocktail hosted by Cesme Marina Yacht Club.
For the seventh year in a row, Arkas Aegean Link Regatta, which is Cesme's traditional and international competition, is ready to witness the dance of yachts with the wind. Organized by Arkas, the Turkish Sailing Federation, EAYK (Aegean Offshore Yacht Club), and Cesme Marina, the competition will be held with 38 boats this year from August 22 to 27, with the goal of expanding sailing in Türkiye and making the sport more popular in Cesme.
Akif Sezer, president of EAYK, stated: "I would like to thank the Arkas Family for including us in this event with the hope that Arkas Aegean Link Regatta becomes sustainable. We appreciate the value they place on sports, especially on sailing. Introduced by Arkas Cesme Sailing Sports Club, J70 class boats were also included in this year's races. On the other side, I would like to thank Cesme Mayor Ekrem Oran for his efforts to develop Cesme as a tourist destination as well as for the 100th Anniversary Race and Republic Cup that we will host as part of Arkas Aegean Link Regatta."
At the cocktail reception organized on August 22nd, Toker Gurer, General Manager of Cesme Marina, stated, "A week full of racing and fun awaits us. As the race committee, we have put in a lot of effort, so hopefully this week goes much better than our positive expectations. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who helped make this race possible, including EAYK, all of my coworkers, Head Referee Esref Uzun, our referee committee, and our host Marina Yacht Club."
Bernard Arkas, Arkas Holding Vice President, said: "I wish everyone a race that will leave a lovely memory towards the end of the summer, when delight and fun will be at their highest. We have added a new class to Arkas Aegean Link Regatta. This year we are having a J70 race. This is a new concept. With these types of boats, which are suited for more people to sail, we also contribute to the development of sailing. I hope that everyone enjoys the race and the races in this class will continue in the future."
Ekrem Oran, Mayor of Cesme, stated: "Once again, I am very glad to be here with all of you for the 7th Aegean Link Regatta. I would like to express my gratitude to the Arkas Family, Arkas Holding, and EAYK Cesme Marina for bringing the regattas to Cesme. Cesme Municipality will continue to support athletes, artists, and sports."
Mehmet Marasli, Cesme District Governor, said: "I would like to thank Arkas, Cesme Marina, and everyone who is dedicated to sailing. I believe that the ongoing increase in participation and the expansion of championship events will greatly enrich our district. Hereby, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the organization."
The principal sponsor of this year's Arkas Aegean Link Regatta is Arkas Line, the shipping company of Arkas. As in the previous year, FAMM Urla, one of FD Architecture's most stunning realizations of ecological and sustainable architecture, is also making a contribution to the race.
They will ride like the wind
The first day of the race also coincides with a special day. Sailors come together to celebrate freedom and adventure on August 23rd, Ride Like the Wind Day. This special day invites people to watch the harmony of the sea and the wind in Cesme, which is famous for its wind.
Special 100th Anniversary Race and the Republic Cup
The 100th Anniversary race, which is sponsored by the Cesme Municipality, will take place on the second day of the competition. The teams will collect their Special Cups for the 100th Anniversary of the Turkish Republic at the ceremony, which will be held at the Cesme Municipality City Terrace after the race, where they will compete to be the first to cross the finish line in two buoy races off the coast of Ilica.
A new breath in the race: J70
The third day of the race will see the addition of the J70 class out on the water. With four members per team, Arkas' Four Musketeers will compete on their new J70 boats, Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and D'artagnan. The qualifying method for the buoy races will involve 15-20 minute circuits. The races, which begin at 12:00, can be watched from the front area of Dilaila Beach Club all day long.
Sailors will be treated to a concert by Evrim Ozkaynak and her Band in the evening, and their cups, handcrafted by ceramic artist Verda Sipahi, will be presented to them.
The J70, a one-design racing boat that has quickly gained popularity among sailors worldwide due to its sturdy and balanced construction, will make its debut in Cesme waters. With their easily removable carbon mast, which can be quickly and easily disassembled and transferred to the trailer when the keel is pulled, these boats, which can be used by beginners or amateur/professional sailing athletes, have very convenient features for races, training sessions, and daily trips. Another reason for the J70s' quick global adoption is their advantages in rigging and shipping. Arkas Cesme Sailing Club started this course in an effort to get more people interested in sailing.
Last leg of the Turkish Yacht League is Arkas Aegean Link Regatta
Following the MDK "Cabotage" Cup, the 52nd Naval Forces Cup, the Coast Guard Cup, and the Halicarnassus 100th Year Cup, Arkas Aegean Link Regatta will be the fifth and final leg of the Turkish Yacht League, which will be staged for the first time this year by the Turkish Sailing Federation. The league, which was formed to raise interest in the world of sailing and extend this sport to a wider range, had 45 teams and over 450 athletes this year.
A glorious double-cup finale at Yuzu Beach
There is a winner at the end of every obstacle, and there is fun at the end of the Arkas Aegean Link Regatta. The Arkas Aegean Link Regatta and the TYF Yacht League champions will be presented with their cups on the same night. As a result, the TYF Yacht League will be treated to a double cup ceremony, including the Championship cup. The magnificent final night will be held at YUZU Beach, where the entertainment will rise with the live performance and stage of Iskender Paydas & Orchestra.
The Arkas Aegean Link Regatta winner will keep the prize for a year. In the next race a year later, the cup will be awarded to the new champion. The boat that triumphs in the competition five years in a row will hold the prize in perpetuity.