BODRUM - Bodrum will host one of the most important events in the water sports calendar this year.
Yalıkavak, a popular holiday resort located on the north shore of the Bodrum Peninsula will host the RS:X 2009 Youth Windsurf World Championship this summer. Turkey’s victory was declared in a meeting held by the International Sailing Federation, or ISAF, last week in the Spanish capital Madrid. Speaking at a press conference in Istanbul, Turkish Sailing Federation Chairwoman Nazlı İmre declared that Bodrum won the bid to host the prestigious event.
The RS:X class was chosen in 2004 to be the official Olympic board and as there is only one design this levels the playing field by minimizing the “gear factor” and ensures that the best sailor, not equipment, will win.
France and Greek Cyprus were also bidding for the host status, but Bodrum was the winner. “The championship, which will attract 350 windsurfers from 45 countries, will give a boost to the tourism of Yalıkavak and Bodrum.” İmre also thanked the former Yalıkavak Major Mustafa Saruhan for his support for windsurfing. Saruhan was demoted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs last August. The tournament will be held between July 24 and Aug. 1
If you don’t want to miss out, book one of Cumberland’s rental properties in Bodrum at the Seaview Regency Prestige. Located above the bay of Küçükbük and next door to Yalıkavak come and try your own windsurfing skills this summer.