A subsidized ferry and charter boats are planned to bring the fleet to the Sea of Marmara in 2028.
The J/70 International Class World Council has awarded the 2028 European Championship to Istanbul. It will be the first time the event is held in Türkiye.
Photos / Olga Sarma
The Turkish Offshore Racing Club (TAYK) will host the regatta from Fenerbahçe Kalamış Marina on the Asian side of the city, with racing on the Sea of Marmara. The class lists the event for 22 to 30 July 2028. The organizers, the J/70 Türkiye Class Association, say the exact dates will be confirmed later.
The main question for a fleet of this size is how to get there. The Europeans have drawn up to 115 boats from more than 20 countries, according to the class. To bring them to Istanbul, the organizers plan a subsidized ferry service for boats and cars from Europe. Charter boats will be offered to teams that do not travel with their own.
Erman Ayvaz, Vice President of J/70 Türkiye, made the invitation in person when he addressed the World Council. “We have been coming to race with you for years. Now it’s time to invite all of you to race with us,” he said, according to the class announcement.
Emir İçgören, President of J/70 Türkiye, said in the same announcement that the organizers aim to deliver a championship of world class standard.
Conditions are expected to suit the boat. In July the northerly Poyraz typically blows 10 to 20 knots over relatively flat water on the Sea of Marmara, the class said.
Istanbul joins a busy 2028 calendar. The Open World Championship is already scheduled at Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Porto Cervo. The World Council also confirmed the Corinthian World Championship at Yacht Club Punta del Este in Uruguay from 19 to 25 November, and the Mixed Plus World Championship at Chicago Yacht Club, provisionally from 23 to 27 May. Chicago will be the first American host of that event. Martin Dent, President of the International J/70 Class Association, said 2028 “will be yet another huge year.”
The Notice of Race, entry details and information on boat transport and charters will be published on the event website, j70euroistanbul2028.com.
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