Bülent Atabay Cup to debut at Istanbul Bosphorus sailing race

The 9th leg of the Türkiye Açıkdeniz Yarış Spor Kulübü (TAYK) Trophy, the Bosphorus Race, will be held in the Istanbul Bosphorus on Saturday, October 3. For the first time, the event will be organized under the name ‘Bülent Atabay Kupası’ to honor the legacy of the 88-year-old figure in Turkish yachting.

Participants will navigate the challenging currents and variable winds of the Bosphorus. The event aims to connect different generations of sailors with the legacy of Bülent Atabay, specifically his Orient Express series—a collection of six racing sailboats developed since 1980 through continuous improvements in design and material technology.

Following the race, a special program will feature a short film titled ‘Denizin Kalbine Yolculuk’ (Journey to the Heart of the Sea), documenting the Orient Express years and Atabay’s impact on the sailing world. An awards ceremony will conclude the event at 20:00.