Presidential 7th International Yacht Races – Çanakkale Cup

Türkiye’s most symbolic sailing week will begin on April 23, 2026, when the Presidential 7th International Yacht Races open with the Çanakkale Cup—a sea-crossing stage that starts in front of Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul and pushes crews into a demanding 140-nautical-mile offshore route toward Çanakkale. With 200+ athletes on the water, this is not just a race for speed—it’s a test of seamanship, strategy, and endurance, expected to run beyond 24 hours as teams chase the horizon through the Marmara and toward the strait.

The stakes add extra edge: the top three will claim the Ulusal Egemenlik Cup, while the first yacht to reach Çanakkale will earn the Coast Guard Line Honours. And once the fleet arrives (expected by April 24), the story continues on April 25 with racing inside the Çanakkale Strait, visible from the Çanakkale Kordon, before the event closes with an evening awards ceremony. Even if you never step on a boat, you’ll want to be here—because few sports weekends pair front-row waterfront drama with a place this meaningful, and Çanakkale turns every cheer into a tribute carried by the wind.