All set for the 2025 Bosphorus Race
by Quinag 20 Sep 10:10 BST
From 20 September 2025
2025 Bosphorus Race © Sailing Energy
With the two days of inshore and coastal racing at the 24th edition of Bosphorus Cup completed, all eyes now turn to the Bosphorus Race which takes place tomorrow, Saturday 20 September. Some 51 yachts have gathered to compete in this once a year opportunity to sail on the famous strait that links the Black Sea with the Marmaris. With the wind forecast of around 20 knots, an already exceptional day looks set to be a real treat for the racers, fans and Istanbul residents.
The past two days of racing are an appetiser for the main event, but the Bosphorus Cup is awarded to the yacht that prevails over the three days, so the early standings are an indicator of form. Leading overall is the JPK 1180 Rossko Racer and entered by Timofey Zhbankov. After two intense days, tonight the crews get to relax and enjoy the hospitality of the Istanbul Sailing Club, at the Theatre of the Winds Party.
Theatre of the Winds
For those keen to watch the main attraction unfold, the Bosphorus Race starts at 12.00 EEST (local Turkish time). There are plenty of places to watch from the water's edge, including the Fan Zone in Akintiburnu, Arnavutköy established in cooperation with IMM, Istmarin and Ispark, which opens at 11.45 and is free to all Istanbul residents and visitors to the city. The Bosphorus Race will also be broadcast live on the SSport Digital Platform and the Bosphorus Cup YouTube channel.
Race organizer ORG Sports, particularly its founder Orhan Gorbon, is thrilled to be offering two such immersive experiences:
"The best place to see the action is undoubtedly on the shores of the Bosphorus itself. With the yachts frequently manoeuvring close in, you get a real sense of the team work and skill involved. That said, we have been streaming this race live for a number of years. It was one of the early promotional pillars to showcase both Istanbul and the sport. The Bosphorus is an exceptional venue. Sailing is an exceptional sport. Video is the perfect medium to show them both at their best."
Crew View
The 2025 Bosphorus Cup has attracted a fleet of 51 ranging in size from the 17m/5ft Judel & Vrolijk design Mersin Yelkin Akademisi, entered by Oytun Calislar and racing in IRC 0, down to the considerably Code-Zero, a Farr 280 One Design, and virtually half the size at 8.72m/28.6ft, entered by Burak Cora and racing in IRC1. The remaining entries are split across five classes.
Timofey Zhbankov and Rossko Racer have participated in the competition a number of times previously, finishing first in class and second overall in 2024. The crew are hot favourites this year, and, so far, have done everything to live up to the billing. Rossko Racer lies first in class and overall, having scored a third in the first windward/leeward race on Thursday, 18 September and followed this up with three bullets in the next three inshore races and a first in today's coastal race of 18 nautical miles around the Princes Islands, south of Caddebostan:
"We're happy to be back in Istanbul for the Bosphorus Cup — it's a very special regatta in one of the most beautiful places to sail," said Zhbankov. "The atmosphere, the city, the people, and the history make it unique, while the competition is always strong. The biggest challenge is the Bosphorus Race itself, with its shifting winds that really test the team."
At least Zhbankov goes into the Bosphorus Race tomorrow with some experience of its capricious eccentricities. Petar Dimitrov, skipper of the Bulgarian entry Aboat Time, a ClubSwan 42 competing in IRC0, is about to take part in the race for the first time:
"The Bosphorus Cup delivers spectacular conditions — super intensive and super competitive," offers Dimitrov. "It's our first time here, and we're thrilled to race against such strong competitors. As a Bulgarian team, it's always a pleasure to be in Istanbul."
So far, the inshore series has demonstrated that Dimitrov and his team could be contenders if they can master the currents and winds of the Bosphorus. Aboat Time lies first in class and second overall after the inshore/coastal series.
Window of opportunity
The Bosphorus is a mesmerizing world location. Splitting a vibrant, dynamic city in two, buildings tumble (metaphorically, and possibly literally in years gone by) right down to the water's edge. Bridges span the width; palaces, mosques, forts and private dwellings line the shore; and on any given day boats of all sizes cover the surface - except of course sailing boats. Except, of course, during the Bosphorus Race.
"Sailing is generally prohibited because of the amount of commercial traffic. The authorities will only close the waterway a handful of times each year. Our race is one of those privileged occasions. This is one of the elements that makes this event so special," says Gorbon.
Lessons in legend, geography and history
The name Bosphorus has its origins in Greek mythology. The myth involves a god (Zeus), his mortal mistress (Io), an irate wife (Hera), a titan (Prometheus), a spell (disguise mistress as cow) and a gadfly (sent by vengeful wife to annoy the mistress/cow). Stung continuously by the gadfly, Io wandered the world until one day she eventually crossed a path between the Marmara and the Black Sea. En route she met Prometheus who gave her the cheerful news that she would soon be restored to human form and bear a son (Hercules) for Zeus. Marking this chance encounter, the path acquired the name Bosporus, an anglicized version of the Ancient Greek word for ox passage.
The best geological explanation for the channel's formation, is that the strait was formed when the rising waters of the Mediterranean, and Marmara, flooded into the then inland Black Sea in around 5600BC.
As part of the only sea passage between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, the Bosphorus has been strategically important for both trade and imperial ambition from the earliest days of its settlement. Landmarks for the racecourse, reflect in the main, the Ottoman Empire's occupation of Istanbul and the wider region. The start line and downwind limit of the Race on the Bosphorus is off the opulent Domalbahçe Palace, built in 1856 by Sultan Abduï Mecit. The windward mark is between the Fortress of Asia, built by Beyazit I in 1396 ahead of an ultimately unsuccessful siege of Constantinople, and the Fortress of Europe, built by Mehmet II in 1452 as a prelude to his successful conquest of Constantinople, which of course would later become known as Istanbul.
Trophy by design
The trophy received by the winner of the Bosphorus cup reflects a clear desire to connect the various strands that make this event so unique. Its designer, Can Yalman, is an old friend of Gorbon's and leapt at the chance to do something special for the event. Yalman is an alumni of the globally respected Parsons School of Design New York, and has a real passion for sailing, the water and his home city:
"I wanted to come up with a trophy that reflected various elements. The concept of floating on the Bosphorus, different cultures competing, this race taking place right in between Europe and Asia, and that signified victory. Hence, the two sail boats juxtaposed to create the overall 'V' shape."
Yalman also spent time considering the materials:
"It needed to reflect different elements, so we chose crystal glass and silver. We then tracked down a traditional silversmith in the Grand Bazaar to help us with the manufacture."
The end result was so elegantly impressive that's it the shape is utilized in the event's logo. For Yalman this is proof that the trophy signifies more than a piece of metal and crystal. It is one of the faces of the race.
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