Arkas Sailing Team Achieves Major Success for Turkish Sailing in the Mediterranean

Representing Turkey in the international racing calendar with the support of Arkas Holding, Arkas Line, EMES, and Isaora, Arkas Sailing Team has reached first place in both the IRC overall classification and the IRC 1 category at the 73rd Loro Piana Giraglia, one of the largest offshore races in the Mediterranean. This result, achieved with the TP52 class yacht Blue Moon, marks a significant success that strengthens the team's long-standing consistent development and enhances the international visibility of Turkish sailing.

Arkas Sailing Team made a remarkable achievement on behalf of Turkey at the 73rd Loro Piana Giraglia, one of the most prestigious offshore races in the Mediterranean. Competing in a race that started from Saint-Tropez and concluded in Genoa via the Giraglia Rock, the team secured first place in both the IRC overall classification and the IRC 1 category with the Blue Moon yacht.

This success is not just a race ranking; it is a strong reflection of Arkas's vision for sports, nourished by its maritime culture, its long-term support, and the professional team structure established with Turkish athletes in the international arena. Composed entirely of Turkish-licensed athletes, Arkas Sailing Team has been representing Turkey in leading sailing organizations in the Mediterranean for years.

Captain Tolga Yağlı of Blue Moon commented on the achievement: 'Winning the IRC and IRC 1 categories in the Giraglia offshore race is a great pride for us. The level of competition was very high throughout the week, and each race presented different challenges. Achieving this result in such an important organization is a great reward for the entire team and everyone who supports the project.'

A Sports Story Born from Maritime Culture

The journey of Arkas Sailing Team began as a strong extension of Arkas's deep-rooted connection with maritime activities into the realm of sports. The team is positioned not just as a group that participates in races, but as a long-term sports project aimed at making Turkish sailing more visible on international platforms.

At the point this vision has reached today, Blue Moon has become one of the strongest representatives of the team in the international racing calendar. Competing with a high-performance TP52 class yacht, Arkas Sailing Team has advanced its experience gained in the challenging courses of the Mediterranean each season.

The team's success trajectory has steadily risen over the years. In 2015, Arkas Sailing Team achieved first place in the IRC 3 and ORC 3 classes and fifth place overall at the Rolex Middle Sea Race, considered the largest offshore race in the Mediterranean. That same year, the team reached overall first place with the Flying Box yacht at the Bosphorus Cup, expanding its experience with various rankings in different races in Turkey and the Mediterranean basin.

In 2024, Arkas Sailing Team, which won overall first place at the Bosphorus Cup with Blue Moon, supported its success in the Bosphorus with results in the international racing calendar. In the 2025 season, the team secured third place in the overall classification at the Loro Piana Giraglia, second place in Line Honours overall at Palermo-Montecarlo, second place in ORC overall, and second place in the IRC class, while also finishing fourth in IRC 0 class at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez.

The first-place finishes in the IRC overall classification and IRC 1 category at the 73rd Loro Piana Giraglia elevated the team's consistent rise to a new level. With the results achieved in one of the most established organizations in the Mediterranean, Arkas Sailing Team once again demonstrated the representation power of Turkish sailing on the international stage.

Serhat Altay, the helmsman of Arkas Sailing Team, highlighted the team's long-term development by stating: 'This result is a reflection of the effort, discipline, and strong support that Arkas has provided to sailing over many years. With Blue Moon, we have become more competitive in international races each season. The point we have reached today shows that this structure established with Turkish athletes can have a say in strong fleets worldwide.'

Race Information

The Loro Piana Giraglia, one of the most established organizations in the world sailing calendar, was held for the 73rd time this year. The race, first held in 1953, is considered one of the classics of Mediterranean offshore sailing.

This year, over 140 boats from 45 countries and approximately 1,000 sailors came together for the organization. Following four days of coastal races in Saint-Tropez, the offshore stage began on June 17. The fleet raced a 241 nautical mile course from Saint-Tropez to Giraglia Rock and then to the finish in Genoa.

Light and variable wind conditions turned the race into a challenging competition where speed, accurate weather reading, patience, and strategic positioning were crucial. In the race, where Arkas Sailing Team competed against strong rivals in the fleet such as Rocketnikka, Django WR, and Spirit of Lorina, it rose to the top of the IRC overall classification according to corrected time calculations. The Turkish team also achieved first place in the IRC 1 category, completing the organization with a double victory.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye