MELIS BAYKAN

Melis Baykan began sailing at the age of 8 in Çeşme in the Optimist class and was selected for the National Team at the age of 10, representing Türkiye at European and World Championships. She achieved numerous national podium finishes in the Optimist and Laser classes and became World Champion in the Girls’ category at the 2007 Laser 4.7 World Championship in South Africa. In the following years, she competed actively in national and international regattas in ORC/IRC classes such as X-35 and MAT1010.

Since 2021, she has led teams as skipper and helmswoman within Cheese Sailing, racing A35, MAT1010, and J122 yachts. As of 2025, she competes with the Eker J70 Women’s Team as main trimmer and tactician.

Alongside her sailing career, she has over 10 years of experience in event management, cultural marketing, and communications. She has managed projects of various scales for organizations such as İBB Kültür AŞ, Pozitif Live, Red Bull, Gülbaba Müzik, and Calling.

She also produces editorial content for maritime publications including Motorboat & Yachting and Yelkencinin Gazetesi.