The story of Yosun Cup is a father’s tribute to his daughter, transformed into a sailing event that brings young athletes together in Bodrum.
When Serkan Dalgacı lost his daughter Yosun to leukaemia in 2015, she was just six and a half years old. In the years that followed, sailing became a way to keep her memory alive.
That tribute grew into the Yosun Cup, an event shaped by love, remembrance and hope. Through sailing, Yosun’s name continues to be remembered, while young athletes come together on the waters of Bodrum.
At the inaugural regatta in 2024, Mercan Dalgacı finished first in the Optimist Junior fleet, racing in memory of her sister. The second edition followed in Bitez, Bodrum, from 10–14 December 2025, bringing together 145 female sailors from 24 clubs.
More than a sporting event, Yosun Cup carries a personal story: a father’s determination to keep his daughter’s memory alive and a hope that her story can reach beyond Bodrum. The organisers also aim to welcome sailing clubs and young athletes from around the world in future editions.
The next chapter of Yosun Cup is still to come. Its confirmed dates and details for 2026 should be verified with the organisers before publication.
Photo: Sedat Yılmaz / Yosun Cup
