Orient Express VI has completed a remarkable comeback to win the 25th anniversary Bosphorus Cup as 47 yachts raced through the heart of Istanbul on one of international sailing's most distinctive racecourses.
The Turkish Farr 55, owned and skippered by Zeynep Atabay Taşkent, secured overall victory on countback from Miles&Smiles, with both boats finishing the six-race series on 17 points.
Racing Between Two Continents
The defining race of the 2026 event saw the fleet gather off the Çırağan Palace in a northerly breeze of around 10 to 15 knots before starting under spinnaker and heading south towards Dolmabahçe.
The course takes competitors along the narrow waterway separating Europe and Asia, racing past Istanbul's palaces and mosques and beneath the city's suspension bridges.
But the spectacular setting comes with a significant tactical challenge. After the initial downwind leg, crews faced an upwind battle against the powerful Bosphorus current, searching for weaker current close to the shoreline and choosing when to cross the strait.
City Sailing: Spinnakers fill against Istanbul’s historic skyline during the 25th Bosphorus Cup, which attracted 47 yachts for its anniversary edition. Photo: Alen Photography/Nikos Alevromytis
Orient Express VI Recovers From 27th
Orient Express VI's victory was particularly notable after the team opened the series with a 27th place on Thursday.
Two subsequent race victories, together with a third and sixth, put the Turkish yacht back into contention before the final Bosphorus race.
With Saruhan Cinay at the helm for the finale, Orient Express VI finished sixth on corrected time. Seventh for Miles&Smiles left the pair tied on 17 points, with Orient Express VI's two race wins deciding the trophy on countback. Overnight leader Aboat Time dropped to third overall on 21 points.
“Winning the Bosphorus Cup was our biggest target this year,” Cinay said.
“We couldn’t finish the first race, but we never lost our faith. We have a very good team, with experienced sailors and some young sailors, and that gives us the perfect mix.”
Close Quarters: A Bosphorus Cup competitor passes the event village as Istanbul’s waterfront turns into a natural grandstand for the annual regatta
Could Istanbul Tempt an Irish Entry?
There was no Irish entry among the 47 yachts for the 25th anniversary edition, but an Irish debut at the Bosphorus Cup may not be too far-fetched.
With Irish boats and sailors increasingly looking beyond the traditional northern European circuit and taking on international events such as the Sydney-Hobart, Aegean 600 and Swan championships, Istanbul offers another distinctive destination event.
The attraction is unusual: for several hours, the Bosphorus effectively becomes a sailing stadium, with racing taking place between two continents and spectators able to follow the fleet from waterfront parks, promenades, restaurants and terraces on both shores.
Event founder Orhan Gorbon believes the regatta has helped establish Istanbul as a significant sailing centre in the region.
“We made sailing popular in Turkey. Thousands of people started sailing in Istanbul and we became a centre for sailors from this part of the world,” Gorbon said.
“I think Istanbul has become like the Grand Prix of Eastern Mediterranean sailing.”
For an Irish offshore or cruiser-racer campaign looking for something considerably different from home waters, racing through Istanbul between Europe and Asia would certainly qualify.
Final Overall Standings – Bosphorus Cup 2026
- Orient Express VI – Zeynep Atabay Taşkent – 17 points
- Miles&Smiles – Levent Peynirci – 17 points
- Aboat Time – Petar Dimitrov – 21 points
- Zacapa – Selim Kakış – 23 points
- Fenerbahçe Doğuş Yelken Powered by Audi – Orkun Öz – 25 points
