AKPA Chemistry sponsored the TAYK – Naval Academy's 250th Anniversary and the 52nd Naval Forces Cup Yacht Race, where the trophies were awarded at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 19:30, following a high level of interest and participation.

AKPA Chemistry Sponsors Turkey's Most Prestigious and Long-Route Yacht Race

The race, sponsored by AKPA Chemistry, started with the signal flare from Rear Admiral Ibrahim Özdem Koçer, the Northern Sea Area Commander, in Çengelköy on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at 12:05. The AKPA Chemistry-sponsored TAYK – 52nd Naval Forces Cup Yacht Race concluded on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 12:00 in Turgutreis/Bodrum. This year, 37 boats participated, but only 35 reached the finish line after navigating a challenging course of 400 nautical miles without stopping, completing the race in a single stage. The most significant feature of the yacht race was its international status, with no other race in the world similar to this one, crossing two straits and two seas in a single race. The AKPA Chemistry-sponsored TAYK – 52nd Naval Forces Cup Yacht Race, Turkey's most prestigious long-route race, saw significant international participation. Completing such a challenging 400 nautical mile race in a single stage was extremely difficult and important for the participants. During the race, participants shared their experiences in live broadcasts, excitingly narrating the race to viewers following @guneyyarisi on social media. Interest in the race continued to grow from July 15 to 18.

Greeting to the 250th Anniversary of the Naval Academy

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Naval Academy, this year, a change was made to the race where, after the start, the racers visited Heybeliada before heading out to the Sea of Marmara to salute the old Naval Academy and the Turkish Naval Forces. In the race, which had 37 registered boats, the teams completed the race without stopping at any stage.

Trophies Awarded at the Most Prestigious Race in Turkey

The awards ceremony for the AKPA Chemistry-sponsored TAYK – 52nd Naval Forces Cup Yacht Race began on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 19:30 with a performance by the Aksaz Naval Base Band. The awards were presented starting at 20:00 after the opening speech by TAYK (Turkey Offshore Racing Club) General Manager Can Giray. In his speech, Can Giray expressed his feelings, saying, "The cabotage rights of our country, which our great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk bestowed upon us, give us a beautiful gift that no other country in the world can offer. There is nothing else to say if a race can fit two straits and two seas into a single race, as the slogan of this race suggests." AKPA Chemistry General Manager Kemal Darcan and Deputy General Manager Zafer Darcan congratulated and wished success to the winning teams of Turkey's longest route, single-stage, challenging race.

High Interest and Participation in the Awards Ceremony

The awards ceremony, sponsored by AKPA Chemistry, was attended by a large number of participants and guests. Following Turkey's most prestigious and challenging race, AKPA Chemistry organized a magnificent concert and DJ performance at the awards ceremony, where participants and guests shook off the fatigue of the tough race. The celebrations, which began at 19:30, continued until midnight and received top marks from all participants. Such a challenging and single-stage race was celebrated with a magnificent celebration for both the race and the participants.

Special Prize for Overall Winner from AKPA Chemistry

At the awards ceremony, which began on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 19:30 in Turgutreis/Bodrum, a special prize was presented by AKPA Chemistry General Manager Kemal Darcan to the overall winner, the Orient Express VI team, which included a bag and surprise gifts.

Below is the list of boats and teams that won awards at the TAYK – Naval Academy's 250th Anniversary and the 52nd Naval Forces Cup Yacht Race Sponsored by AKPA Chemistry.

• IRC 4 Division Winner Trophy presented by Race Committee Chairman Utku Bircan Balkal to the winning boat and team.

IRC 4 DIVISION WINNER DHO ZIPKIN YACHT OF NAVAL ACADEMY with KADİR ATASEVEN and Team

• IRC 3 Division Winner Trophy presented by International Jury Chairman George Paunov to the winning boat and team.

IRC 3 DIVISION WINNER KIA ALIZE 34.7 YACHT with UTKU GÖNENER and Team

• IRC 2 Awards presented by AKPA Chemistry Deputy General Manager Zafer Darcan to the winning boat and team.

IRC 2 DIVISION THIRD PLACE SPACE JOCKEY YACHT with VİKTOR ZAKHAROV and Team

• IRC 2 DIVISION SECOND PLACE ADVERPORT SAILING TEAM ADVERPORT YACHT with NEJAT MEŞE and Team

IRC 2 DIVISION FIRST PLACE BOGATRY YACHT with IGOR RYTOV and Team

• IRC 1 Awards presented by AKPA Chemistry General Manager Kemal Darcan to the winning boat and team.

IRC 1 DIVISION THIRD PLACE FENERBAHÇE DOĞUŞ YACHT with BARIŞ KONCAGÜL and Team

IRC 1 DIVISION SECOND PLACE COLUMBIA ALIZE 1070 YACHT with SİNAN SÜMER and Team

IRC 1 DIVISION FIRST PLACE AKPA CHEMICAL 2 YACHT with LEVENT PEYNİRCİ and Team

• IRC 0 Awards presented by Aksaz Naval Base Commander Rear Admiral Kurtuluş Sevinç to the winning boat and team.
  IRC 0 DIVISION THIRD PLACE BORUSAN RACİNG ÇILGIN SİGMA II YACHT with UĞUR TARIK GÜL and Team

IRC 0 DIVISION SECOND PLACE ARKAS BLUEMOON 1 YACHT with SERHAT ALTAY and Team

IRC 0 DIVISION FIRST PLACE ORIENT EXPRESS VI YACHT with ZEYNEP ATABAY and Team

• Line Honours Award presented by TAYK Commodore Vedat Tezman to the winning boat and team.

LINE HONOURS ORIENT EXPRESS VI YACHT with ZEYNEP ATABAY and Team

• Naval Forces Cup Medals presented by Turkish Sailing Federation Özlem Akdurak to the winning boat and team.

NAVAL FORCES CUP MEDALS ORIENT EXPRESS VI YACHT with ZEYNEP ATABAY and Team

• Naval Forces Cup presented by Southern Sea Area Commander Rear Admiral Yalçın Payal to the winning boat and team.

NAVAL FORCES CUP ORIENT EXPRESS VI YACHT with ZEYNEP ATABAY and Team

• Overall Winner Special Award presented by AKPA Chemistry General Manager Kemal Darcan to the winning boat and team.

OVERALL WINNER SPECIAL AWARD ORIENT EXPRESS VI YACHT with ZEYNEP ATABAY and Team