37th Marmaris International Race Week Begins with 105 Participating Boats

Organized for the 37th time by the Marmaris International Yacht Club (MIYC), the International Marmaris Race Week kicks off with an opening cocktail reception on Sunday, October 25.

The opening event will bring together racers, guests, and dignitaries, with 105 boats and over 1,000 athletes taking part. As one of Turkey’s most long-standing sailing events, the Marmaris Race Week once again serves as a key gathering point for the sailing community.

All races, beginning with the first start signal on Monday, October 26, will be broadcast live. The coverage—featuring live race footage, technical analysis, and exclusive interviews—will be available to watch on large screens set up at the Marmaris Marina breakwater and in the city center, as well as via the Marmaris International Yacht Club’s official YouTube channel. This will allow the residents of Marmaris and visitors alike to follow the excitement of the races from the heart of the city.

The live broadcasts will be moderated by Tolga Gökova, with prominent figures from the sailing world—Edhem Dirvana, Atilla Gökova, and Ateş Çınar—joining as guests.

Through these live broadcasts, the aim is to make the sport of sailing more accessible and engaging for a wider audience, while also showcasing Marmaris’s unique natural beauty, maritime culture, and potential as a destination for international sailing tourism.

Maximum Races, Maximum Competition

Ezgi Kalaycı, the chief race officer for the Marmaris International Race Week—which begins on October 26—states that the team is working to ensure the races are conducted as fairly as possible. The goal is to hold the maximum number of races throughout the week, weather permitting, fostering both more intense competition and a fairer racing environment.

More Than Just a Sailing Regatta: A City Festival

Bülent Çelik, President of the Marmaris International Yacht Club, notes that moving the races to the city center has allowed the event to integrate with the local community. He adds, "Our objective is to introduce the sport of sailing to a broader audience while making a lasting contribution to the international promotion of Marmaris and the region's tourism. As we prepare for the 37th edition of this event, our entire team is working with the utmost dedication to ensure a truly enjoyable experience for all the sailors and the public alike."

A 37-Year Tradition

With its 37-year history and high number of participants, the Marmaris International Race Week stands as one of the oldest and most well-attended sailing events in both Turkey and the Mediterranean.