An international yacht rally which traditionally visits the TRNC will be held again this year despite regional conflicts.
Organisers of the Eastern Mediterranean Yacht Rally (Emyr) said a meeting of its committee had decided that the event would go ahead as planned on April 26.
This year the 64-day rally route will cover 1,657 nautical miles with stops in 26 harbours spanning three continents, in Turkey, the TRNC, Israel and Egypt.
The Istanbul Boat Show will host a cocktail party for Emyr entrants on February 16, with crews already registered to take part from the UK, France, Turkey, Italy, US, Sweden and the TRNC.
Emyr TRNC coordinator Altan Houssein said: “The event is by far the most important international event which takes in North Cyprus and breaks its isolation.
“We are expecting hundreds of yachtsman to take part and calls are being made for interested parties to apply to take part in this fantastic event via our website.”
The rally will start on April 26, as boats head to West Istanbul Marina and the flotilla will set sail on April 29 for the Aegean and Mediterranean, eventually arriving at Girne’s Delta Marina on June 6, where activities will include a traditional Pirate Party.
June 8 will see them depart for the Karpaz Gate Marina and Gazi Maǧusa three days later, before heading for Haifa on June 14.
Last year’s 25th anniversary rally avoided ports in Syria, Lebanon and Egypt because of the regional problems, but the committee said it had decided to call at Port Said this year “as the political climate is calmer”.
“The previous year [2013], we were forced to cancel the event due to regional conflict, particularly in Syria. This is unfortunately the same reason we have also had to avoid visiting the country this year,” said Mr Houssein.
For more information, go to www.emyr.org.
By Kerem Hasan for Cyprus Today
