Autumn Ends, Winter Arrives in Bodrum

The final leg of the trophy coincided with the turning days of the weather, which had been good across the country for a long time.

Constantly changing forecasts were making predictions difficult. It looked that way for both days, and that's how it turned out.

At the briefing held on Saturday morning, December 9th, Chief Race Officer Ayberk OLCAY's main focus was naturally the weather.

Direction, intensity, rain passages.

He stated that they had prepared 5 different courses for the first day.

The decision would be made and implemented according to the conditions on the race course.

It was announced that a coastal course was planned for IRC B and Cruising classes, while a 2-buoy race was planned for IRC A Classes.

The course for the uncertain second day would be coastal for all groups.

Which one would be implemented would be decided on the same day, on the race course, according to developments.

The lack of participation in the first legs of the 4-leg autumn trophy was eliminated in this leg, with the number of boats rising to 21.

This increase is probably influenced by the evaluation of these as final preparation races before the 2018 CFM-BAYK WINTER TROPHY.

There are serious changes in both boats and crews. Especially all teams are conducting performance trials with their new owners and new crews.

As they head out to the course, the southerly wind brings light rain along with it.

In the announcement from the committee boat; the first start will be given to IRC B and Support Classes. This group of boats will race on a geographical route in the day's single race.

Start off Bodrum, Orsa buoy to port, then start buoy to port, Orsa Buoy, Çelebi Island, Köçek Shoal to starboard and finish off Bodrum - they will race approximately 13.5 nautical miles.

As we approach start time, the wind is blowing from 130-150 degrees at 14-18 knots, reaching 21 knots in squalls.

With the start given at 11:30, IRC B and Support classes headed towards the Orsa buoy.

We witnessed a hesitant, weak, even anxious start.

With the clouds breaking up and thickening, the sun disappearing and reappearing, and the rain making its presence felt from time to time, the buoy roundings were taking place.

As the press boat, we first followed this group.

While the group was heading towards Çelebi Island, the IRC A groups were coming into our lens.

The wind was strengthening from time to time, becoming effective with squalls in different areas, when at 12:25 the start was given for the IRC A groups.

A good start, hardening wind, squalls, broaches and more broaches.

The area between Karaada and the mainland is full of surprises during these frontal passage days.

These surprises also cause negative developments on the boats.

Those with torn sails, those not wanting to risk their gear, are dropping out of the race.

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The intense competition is reflected in the images, heralding that the CFM-BAYK Winter Trophy will be fiercely contested.

Everyone is shedding their ambitions according to the principle of "life first, boat second" without taking risks.

At the end of the 1st Race, the number of boats participating in the 2nd Race decreases.

Upon seeing that participation in the 2nd Race would be very low, the planned 2nd Race for IRC A Classes is not held.

Meanwhile, the IRC B and Support boats, having separated from each other, completing the geographical route and approaching the finish line, arrive off Bodrum.

When all finishes are completed;

In IRC A group HENİ,

In IRC B group SINGLESTAR and

In SUPPORT group MIRMIR-KECHI SAILING

are the boats leaving their competitors behind.

There's no sign of the rain that was supposed to fall at night. But in the morning it hits Bodrum with sunrise. It stops, sometimes remembering it's supposed to rain, since it promised the meteorology websites.

On Sunday, December 10, we head out to the course in this weather. Yesterday the race committee had promised everyone a geographical race.

They announce it exactly that way.

There's a trophy award ceremony in the evening. Despite that, they announce a long geographical route on the last day, in the last race.

When the fleet headed out to the course, the wind was blowing from an uncertain 185-200 degrees at 14 knots.

All groups will race on the same geographical route.

Start off Bodrum, after rounding the windward mark, Karaada will be rounded leaving it to starboard.

The return mark will be left to port, finish off Bodrum. Approximately 15 nautical miles.

IRC B and Support Classes make their first start at 11:10.

As the boats approach the windward mark, the wind strengthens.

Without any competition, almost like a ceremony, the mark is rounded in order.

As the boats heading east from the north of Karaada sail close to the island shores, the wind decreases more and more.

Accordingly, IRC A boats after their start at 11:26, except for one or two boats, don't get too close to the island shores.

In the channel between Karaada and the mainland, the wind is completely left to chance, there's no such thing as prediction or foresight.

Squalls forcing broaches from time to time. From time to time "lullaby." Boats unable to move.

After the boats round Karaada, the race intensifies. Strong wind, high waves prepare the ground for the trophy closing farewell sail.

After rounding Karaada, one return mark and give me your hand, the finish line.p>

All boats are approaching the finish line almost in a single file.

As the waves grow larger here too, the whistle sounds become the final sounds of the trophy on the Bodrum course.

When the finishes are recorded, in the day's single race;

In IRC A group MATADOR,

In IRC B group SINGLESTAR and

In SUPPORT group MIRMIR-KECHI SAILING are the boats that leave their competitors behind.

The teams berthing at Milta Bodrum Marina are now awaited by the closing ceremony. At Marina Yacht Club, in the 4-leg Autumn Trophy;

In IRC A group YEDI MAVI-SHAK-SHUKA,

In IRC B group MINX HEDEF YELKEN and

In SUPPORT group AR-YA are the boats that leave their competitors behind.

The conversations held, the topics at the tables during dinner are all about the winter trophy.

Calculations are being made for it, constantly.