MARMARIS FISHERMAN

Before Going to Yacht Races, an Excitement Overwhelms Me;

What Will I See, What Will I Encounter, How Will I Observe, and How Will I Record?

The most important parameter among these is meteorology. Then the participants and the facilities provided for us to watch. 

This process starts quickly, continues even faster, and ends with the final whistle.

Suddenly we find ourselves either in an airport waiting lounge or on the highway if we're coming from afar to that town. 

What's lived through quickly is now a film strip. Some shots flow rapidly, some at low frame rate. The unclear ones are clarified by seeking those who know.

This time the return was to Turunç. 

Without road fatigue and time lag, I rested a little and sat down at the desk.

Then a melancholy overcame me. 

Outside that crowded organization, alone, away from the sounds, movements, laughter, whistles, pennants, it's time to knead the news meal with its visuals.

While listening to Aegean music, of course.

The 5th Leg races of the ERGO-MİYC Winter Trophy, which I had the opportunity to follow completely from the beginning, took place on April 28-29.

WE'LL SEE WHEN WE GET OUT ON THE COURSE

The meteorology seems to keep its secret about the wind on race days.

So we'll see when we get out on the course.

At the briefing held on Saturday, April 28, Chief Referee Can GİRAY first stated that the wind would be very light over the weekend, then mentioned that the trophy results were almost settled and that participation had dropped due to the participants' busy schedules.

Giray emphasized that the Marmaris Course is a course for gentleman sailors and that conflicts should be avoided as much as possible.

WINTER TROPHIES WHERE YOU CAN GO SWIMMING

I've always said it, and I'll insist on saying it:

Winter trophies should be held in winter and finished in winter, based on their name.

We know that many people participating in these trophies and providing logistical support make their living from the maritime sector.

In fact, they lead the way in these trophies at every course, making efforts for their development and expansion.

Which one should they attend to when they're right at the beginning of the season, during the days when they're working hard to get everything settled.

In my opinion, winter trophies should start in November, consist of 6 legs with one race each month, and finish by April at the latest.

I don't think this planning is that difficult either.

One race per month. 

Participants are comfortable, the organization is in preparation without being rushed.

So, to what extent is it right for the trophies where we now wear shorts and swimsuits to take place under the name "Winter Trophy"?

Then participation is dropping in all courses, that's a fact.

In my profession, it's as bad as starting with a full audience in the hall and seeing empty seats when you take your curtain call.

COURSE OF SURPRISES

After leaving Netsel Marina, the boats came alongside the referee boat taking strong wind. 

The committee had already prepared the course, but the wind suddenly drops as if saying "JUST KIDDING". It virtually disappears. There's no way the start scheduled for 11:30 will happen.

The huge foreign-flagged EOS Yacht with 3 masts and a crew of 24 has almost covered the bay.

During this postponement opportunity, some boats are circling around the yacht, while many others are opening the sea season in Marmaris waters.

The wind is in "Stubborn as a Mule" mode. 

SAILORS COMING FROM THE CRADLE, FROM SWADDLING CLOTHES

The weather is very hot, those who brought their small children to the boats have dressed them in Ninja outfits for sun protection. 

What can the child do, his father wanted it, his mother dressed him. 

Thank God Cumhur GÖKOVA left his new child at the marina so the child wasn't affected by the sun.

A beautiful, cheerful race day will be experienced, but if only there was some wind.

The expected wind also visits our course 1.5 hours later.

When the wind exceeds 5 knots from 270 degrees and settles, does the committee wait? The start procedures begin.

The route for all classes is O-2 from MIYC Routes

The boats will compete on a course of approximately 6 nautical miles.

At 12:50 IRC 1 and IRC 2, at 12:55 IRC 3 and 4 complete their starts. When the fleet reaches the turning buoy off Yalancı Boğaz without separating from each other, the wind starts playing and drops.

The spinnakers are filling and collapsing in the meantime.

Those who have secured the top positions in the trophy rankings aren't pushing as hard as the second and third place competitors.

When the yachts cross the finish line off Marmaris;

In IRC 1 GOBLIN 3-ONE CAR (Aslan Kaan İŞ)

In IRC 2 İZMİR YELKEN (Kaan ÖZGÖNENÇ)

IRC 3 BOOMERANG (Serdar ŞAHİN)

IRC 4 BLUE BIRD 2-ERGO (Mehmet ÖZDAŞ)

They are the boats leaving their competitors behind.

“May God Not Let Those Who Don't Want to Race Fall Into the Hands of This Committee” we said in our last article, exactly like that.

The 2nd Race of the day preparations have already begun. The wind is sometimes strong, sometimes weak. 

It shows variations on the course according to positions. 

It is possible to see this with the naked eye from the sea.

The Committee announces that the geographical G 1 route from MİYC routes will be sailed for all classes. After rounding a windward mark, Karga Taşı Island outside the harbor will be rounded and then the finish will be given back inside.

At this point, especially with the wind showing itself like this, it's a risky race for the race committee.

The wind is blowing from 270 degrees at 7-8 knots.

At 14.50 IRC 1 and IRC 2, At 14.55 IRC 3 and 4 execute their starts.

With the power of the wind, the fleet rounds the windward mark and heads towards the strait.

THE STRAIT IS FULL OF SURPRISES

As the fleet slowly enters the strait, there is no trace of the wind from the inner harbor. It varies even at positions within the strait.

The struggles of those who get stuck, those who stumble, those who are satisfied with their position and those who are not, are worth watching.

Those who feel the wind blowing from the direction of İçmeler in their sails as the strait ends, breathe a sigh of relief.

POSEIDON CLOSED SHOP

While the lead boats of the groups arrive at Karga Taşı Island joyfully, along with the first arrivals, the wind is going, going away around the island turn.

Those arriving are bewildered, those trying to turn are struggling. All efforts are insufficient, Poseidon closed shop.

The club officials on the committee boat receive the bitter truth from the press boat captain. Time passes, no wind. Boats drift this way and that. How long can we keep shooting?

None leaving, none moving. The fleet gathered together around the island.

Meanwhile, I'm thinking about the headline for the article.

Should I say "The Priest Doesn't Always Eat Pilaf"?

“It didn’t work this time, coach”?

While rubbing my hands, a strong wind started in front of İçmeler and Turunç.

Don’t get excited, we can’t approach Karga Taşı.

The fleet is waiting for its wind like orphaned children.

My headline preparations are ready.

1 RACE 2 STARTS

Alright, but Poseidon is not on my side.

Suddenly, when it hit the island position, with the 2nd collective start, my headline also falls into the sea off Turunç.

It doesn’t matter if it fell, it’s in front of my house anyway, if I need it one day, I’ll take it out and use it.

But I was embarrassed, I need to change the headline.

What should it be?

What can I find, help me,

No use from you.

I found it:

MARMARİS FISHERMAN

I will never forget what Poseidon did to me in front of our neighborhood.

The fleet is racing behind the press boat at the front.

What a wind. They are entering the harbor by beating to windward.

I’m sulking, not watching.

When those judges took the finishes;

In IRC 1, ALEXANDRA (Bülent GÖRGÜN)

In IRC 2, İZMİR YELKEN (Kaan ÖZGÖNENÇ)

In IRC 3, EXIT (Emre DERMAN)

In IRC 4, CLAVELLA (Leo KOLFF)

Boats are leaving their competitors behind.

DÖNER-BEER-MUSIC- SELÇUK EKEN VISUALS

In the evening, there is the ERGO-MİYC Winter Trophy 4th Leg award ceremony at the Club facilities.

The döner stand is set up, beers are on tap. 

Our music, on the screen Selçuk EKEN's race visuals of the day. 

What more could you want?

Only one thing could have been.

Instead of the stage time for those who deserved awards but didn't come to receive them, advertisements could have been shown.

OUR SECURITY IS COAST GUARD

On Sunday, April 29, Marmaris beaches are full. 

We are also leaving from Netsel Marina to fill the seas. Tour boats are also on the move. 

A lively Marmaris.

On Sunday, in the traffic, the Coast Guard boat is also right next to us, securing the notamed course, very good.

It would be perfect if it weren't for the helicopter dumping water on our heads.

Where did that come from.

I swear, I have no idea.

(Later update: I'm saying this while completing the article and conducting verification interviews. I heard that the helicopter is an insurance client of Chief Referee Can GİRAY. Whether the vehicle came here to expand insurance coverage, I don't know.)

First it went to the shore, heading in one direction. 

It stopped, turned around. It DAMPED the water close to shore.

In any case, the problem was solved at the incident site they were heading to.

When we see a helicopter with a tank underneath in coastal areas, our hearts break into pieces.

It ended happily, and it became a topic for us.

As for the course; the wind is FIZZLE again. 

Friends have already gone into the sea. 

The committee is relaxed; there is only one race planned for today and it will be run anyway.

Bets on the press boat; Will there be a race or not.

I'm among those who say there will be. Because I know the Chief Referee. 

He's doing something with his hands on deck.

When I saw this and said "the wind will come," I also felt a strong wind behind me.

The wind blowing from 135 degrees at 9 knots mobilized everyone.

Route R 3 from MIYC routes will be run. We are inside the harbor and it's the final race.

At 13.00, IRC 1 and IRC 2, at 13.05, IRC 3 and 4 perform their starts.

KG fodepar racing in IRC 3. She also refreshes her start and is on the course.

The wind continues without dropping its strength. The fleet is running together. Before we could reach the mark, they had already turned. But on the return, the spinnakers start causing trouble.

The freshening wind brings the 2-lap race to an exquisite level.

Meanwhile, we witness those who mistook the finish mark for the turning mark, struggling to gather their spinnakers and contributing to our visuals.

When the final whistle blows for the 5th leg of the ERG0-MİYC Winter Trophy;

In IRC 1, ALEXANDRA (Bülent GÖRGÜN)

In IRC 2, İZMİR YELKEN (Kaan ÖZGÖNENÇ)

In IRC 3, EXIT (Emre DERMAN)

In IRC 4, CLAVELLA (Leo KOLFF)

Are the boats leaving their competitors behind.

With the races held in this leg, the race numbers have also been completed.

At the end of the 6th and final leg races to be held on May 12-13, bad races can be discarded.

Let's see what we will see in the final leg, what we will witness.

Stay Healthy