Founders

The Foundation of TAYK

The foundations of the Turkish Offshore Racing Sports Club were laid on May 8, 1971, when leading Turkish yachtsmen of the period came together.

The Offshore Racing Club (AYK) was established to organize yacht races in accordance with international rules, introduce international measurement and handicap systems to Türkiye, encourage the participation of foreign yachtsmen in races held in Türkiye, and enable Turkish yachtsmen to compete internationally and represent Turkish yachting abroad.

Following its establishment, the Club pioneered the implementation of international measurement systems in Türkiye and played an important role in the development of Turkish sailing through the offshore races it organized. In 1993, following a decision by the Council of Ministers, the word “Türkiye” was added to its name and the Club became the Türkiye Açıkdeniz Yarış Kulübü (TAYK).

Our Founders

The founders who laid the foundations of TAYK’s journey have played a pioneering role in the development of Turkish yachting and offshore racing.