Summer Has Arrived in Marmaris

When we arrived in Marmaris by road on Friday, March 9, we descended from the hills to the town center in almost summer weather.

A sailboat or two doing training runs in the bay.

For March 10-11, when the ERGO-MIYC Winter Trophy 3rd Leg will be sailed, meteorological stations are generally forecasting low wind conditions.

Marmaris, which has reached almost summer season crowding during the winter months, is it experiencing migration or what?

The racers find themselves in a crowd they are not accustomed to.

WHAT ABOUT THESE WINDS

The topic at the tables for those coming from Mersin, from Kuşadası, Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Göcek, Bodrum and many other places;

What the weekend wind will be like.

REGULATIONS ON BOATS CARRYING ADVERTISING

At the briefing held on the morning of Saturday, March 10, Chief Race Officer Can GİRAY also begins his remarks with this;

We see that the wind is low on our race days.

Similar situations are occurring this year on courses outside of Marmaris as well.

On days with strong winds, due to harshness, and on days with light winds, planned races cannot be held due to insufficient wind.

Can GİRAY,

“When we came to the 3rd Leg, we were able to complete 4 out of the 6 races we planned. We intend to make this up by the end of the Trophy and we have planned 3 races this week.” after saying this,

He makes reminders and warnings regarding the Turkish Sailing Federation's newly regulated Advertising Carrying Principles for Racing Boats.

“The advertising carrying rules for boats will be implemented according to the newly regulated rules of ISAF and TYF.

These rules must be complied with.

Additionally, if there are company advertisements on stickers used in other races on the bows, these must be removed or covered.”

Following this statement, boats racing in Bodrum and Marmaris indicated that it is difficult to remove the stickers given once by the clubs throughout the Trophy.

Additionally, participants also warned each other about the news that TYF had sent a photographer regarding the matter.

INSURANCE REGULATIONS FOR RACING BOATS

MIYC President İhsan KALAYCI stated that the federation's instructions would be applied not only to their own races but to all races, and that they had prepared their own boats accordingly. He expressed his happiness to see the participants there and announced that they wanted to continue the races, which had started and were continuing in a gentlemanly manner, in this way until the end of the trophy.

President KALAYCI also announced the informational meeting regarding the Insurance Regulations for Racing Boats, which will take place on March 23rd.

SHALL WE SWIM OR SHALL WE RACE?

When they went out to the course, it was apparent that the race would not start at the anticipated times.

The unsettled wind direction and the wind that could not show its strength were priceless moments for those who wanted to enjoy the tranquility.

We were witnessing those listening to music, sunbathing, and even those swimming in the sea in March on the course.

The only ones not participating in this happiness were the race committee.

They were also waiting during the postponement moments for the conditions to develop to hold the race and to make the arrangements accordingly.

The wind blowing at 5-6 knots from 130 degrees had initiated the start procedures and even completed the starts when it was declared Abandoned due to the wind shifting from 165 degrees to 130 degrees.

The course was reconfigured according to the new wind direction and start procedures were initiated.

The fleet of 29 boats in 4 different groups will race on the same course with 2 different starts.(MIYC Windward Leeward R-1)

The start and finish lines of the approximately 6 nautical mile course are off Marmaris.

With the wind blowing at 7-8 knots, at 13:55 IRC 1 and 2 groups, and at 14:00 IRC 2 and 3 groups complete their starts and begin racing on the course.

As the fleet approaches mark buoy number 1, 1.4 nautical miles away, the wind gradually increases its strength and we witness close battles between three and four boats.

OH THOSE THREE BOATS

The wind continues at this force and below throughout the rest of the race.

When the finishes are taken, we witness the fleet becoming quite separated from each other.

For this reason, since the finishes of 3 boats remaining at the rear of the fleet are delayed, the planned 2nd Race cannot take place due to insufficient time.

GET WELL SOON

Meanwhile, while the boats are waiting for the 2nd Race, an accident occurs on deck aboard the ALEXANDRA.

When the hatch where the spinnaker is taken in is left open, a female athlete steps into the void and has an accident.

The news that the athlete, rescued with the help of her teammates, is in good health is a relief to everyone.

At the end of the 1st Race;

IRC-1 GOBLIN3 (Aslan Kaan İş) 

IRC-2 HAYTA (Zafer ÖZNUR)

IRC-3 BOOMERANG-UK SAILS (Serdar ŞAHİN)

IRC-4 BLUE BIRD 2-ERGO (Mehmet ÖZDAŞ)

Are the boats that leave their competitors behind.

2ND LEG AWARDS (DONER-BEER)

As soon as the boats that couldn't complete the 2nd race of the day take their places in Netsel Marina, they head to the club facilities for the ERGO-MIYC Winter Trophy 2nd Leg awards ceremony.

In a ceremony with quite crowded participation, the teams that placed receive their trophies and calculations for the final day begin.

On Sunday, March 11th, the weather is similar to the day before.

TYF HAS SENT THE SEDATS

On the press boat, TYF officials are also with us.

Sedat TEMELLİ as observer, Sedat YILMAZ as federation media officer are on our boat.

The committee is waiting for the wind to settle. Today the wind settles earlier and start procedures begin.

The course for the entire fleet is MIYC Downwind, Upwind R-3 Course.

The start order is the same. Wind is from 135 degrees at 6-7 Knots.

At 12:20, IRC 1 and 2 complete their starts, at 12:25 IRC 3 and 4 complete their starts.

As the fleet approaches the turning mark, the wind shows 12-13 Knots.

Sharp turns and deployed spinnakers are presenting us with beautiful scenes.

At the end of the 2nd race;

IRC-1 GOBLIN3 (Aslan Kaan İş)

IRC-2 HAYTA (Zafer ÖZNUR)

IRC-3 KAYK APAZ-KÖMÜRCÜOĞLU (Doğukan KANDEMİR)

IRC-4 CLAVELLA (Leo KOLFF)

are the boats leaving their competitors behind.

LET'S ALSO GET OUT OF THE BAY

The committee, having set its mind on running 3 races, quickly begins preparations for the 3rd race.

The announced course; MIYC Geographic F-2 course for IRC 1 and 2. Approximately 12 nautical miles.

For IRC 3 and 4; MIYC Geographic F-5 course. Approximately 8 nautical miles.

With wind blowing from 135 degrees at 7-9 knots, IRC 1-2 start at 14:05, and IRC 3-4 start at 14:10.

The fleet first heads towards mark buoy number 1 at a distance of 1.3 nautical miles.

After this buoy is rounded, different routes will be sailed between the groups.

IRC 1-2 will leave Keçi Island to port and exit the bay from in front of İçmeler.

THIS IS KEÇİ ISLAND, IT HAS ITS RIGHT

Those passing close to Keçi Island are once again getting into the lee, falling into the windless area and losing time.

It is also surprising that some of the boats stuck in this area for a long time are Marmaris teams.

Those who avoided this known dead zone from offshore exit the bay with advantage and round Karga Taşı Island.

The wind is dropping but not enough to collapse the spinnakers.

IRC 3-4 are rounding Keçi Island to starboard. The wind is gradually decreasing its strength during the roundings.

Meanwhile, dolphins are also joining the fleet.

As the fleet breaks apart from each other and gives their finishes, those who need to catch the evening flight are experiencing panic.

In the magnificent summer weather for 2 days, the racers who did not lack wind are leaving Marmaris to return in the next leg, having thoroughly enjoyed the race.

At the end of the 3rd Race;

IRC-1 MERSİN YELKEN AKADEMİSİ (Oytun ÇALIŞLAR)

IRC-1 MX (Mustafa TEZCAN)

IRC-3 BOOMERANG-UK SAILS (Serdar ŞAHİN)

IRC-4 CLAVELLA (Leo KOLFF)

Are the boats leaving their competitors behind.

LET'S MEET ON THIS COURSE ON APRIL 7-8

The fleet, which completed the 3rd Leg of the ERGO-MIYC Winter Trophy with 3 races, will meet on the Marmaris course on April 7-8 for the 4th Leg races.