Tenzor International Cup - J/70 Open Winter Series 2025/26 - Leg 6 Preview
by Burak Zengin 9 Apr 22:55 HKT
10-12 April 2026
The spectacular finale of Tenzor International Cup - J/70 Open Winter Series 2025/2026 is fast approaching, and from April 9 to 12, the sailing elite and strongest sailors from Turkiye, Russia, Spain, Italy and Belarus will gather in Bodrum, Aspat Bay, for the main battle in Leg 6.
The intrigue centers on a thrilling duel for the Series Title between Tenzor Team skippered by Andrey Pushkin and Ptichki Sailing Team led by Elvira Pinchuk, who are separated by a mere 2 points in the overall standings, creating incredible density and explosive tension.
Meanwhile, the battle for bronze remains wide open with several worthy contenders from top-6.
Adding to the high stakes, this regatta carries double weight as points will count toward both Leg 6 of Tenzor International Cup and Leg 1 of Türkiye Tour 2026 Series, meaning all of Turkey's strongest sailors will join the fray, with local aces from Ameera Jet, Nautique Yachting, Cheese Sailing, Happyhour JR and others actively fine-tuning their J/70 boats.
Among them, the Turkish-Italian crew of Cheese Sailing is already battle-ready, with Güney Kaptan, Levent Peynirci, Massimo Borteletto, and Mehmet Duran Dinç aiming for the top, while Emir Icgoren's Ameera Jet has gone international with Mikhail Ushkov, Mikhail Yatsun and Onur Mandalinci in its crew staff.
Alp Doguoglu's ADA Jr Pasa Doble team has strengthened for the final with Spanish 49er champions and 2025 Copa de España winners Martín and Jaime Wizner from Real Club Náutico de Vigo.
Women sailors continue to shine as well, especially at the helm, with five teams featuring female skippers set to compete in the finale. Svetlana Sorokina's Trem Sailing Team, fresh off a victorious January stage, returns with a renewed lineup, while Elvira Pinchuk's Ptichki Sailing Team fights for their first international trophy overall Series victory keeping the same crew on board.
Inna Balashova brings vast international experience to Dolce Vita alongside her main crew fighting for top-5. Turkish sailing star Nevra Eker leads a 100% female team, Eker Efsane Yogurt for this Leg.
Making her debut in Bodrum, Ekaterina Aleksandrova and her team Marshmallow Paw is intending to get more international sailing experience preparing for RS21 European and World Championship 2026.
The depth of talent continues with Bars Sailing Team of Maksim Batrakov, AtomTavatuy skippered by Pavel Kuznetsov, S.Kotiki helmed by Aleksandr Zuev, Turkish Nautique Yachting - silver medalists of Leg 5 led by Onur Erardag and Happyhour JR with Erman Ayvaz on the helm. All these teams bring big ambitions and perfectly skilled to beat their rivals.
One more bright debut of regatta is Izocam Sailing Team, featuring brothers Deniz and Ates Çinar - professional Turkish sailors with four Olympic campaigns (Beijing, London, Rio, Tokyo) in the 470 class - alongside Baris Koncagül and Dogukan Kandemir, representing Fenerbahce Spor Kulubu.
In the Corinthian division, entries include MAYK from Marmara Sailing Club led by Batu Ozunur, current overall Corinthian leaders Orient Express skippered by Haluk Babakan, and Team ASPAT of Mehmet Okay.
With such a powerful line-up and ambitions to win, the stage is set for an unforgettable finale in Bodrum starting with races on Friday, 10th of April.