September Excitement in the Gulf

On September 22-23, we followed the Bay Festival, organized for the second time this year by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality.

At the festival, alongside yacht and sailing races, concerts and shows colored İzmir Bay for two days.

50 YACHTS PARTICIPATED

The main event of the festival, the İzmir Arkas Bay Race held on September 22-23, had 43 boats on the course last year, while this year the number reached 50 boats.

YACHT RACES IN A MEGA CITY WITH INSUFFICIENT BERTHS

Due to insufficient berthing space, the organization limited the event to 50 yachts, which is expected to grow even more.

While some of the boats were moored to the quay in front of Konak Pier, others stayed at Levent Marina.

The boats that stayed in the vaulted section in front of Konak Pier, which was completed with work last year, truly presented very beautiful views in this area.

OH THE REGULATIONS, WOE THE REGULATIONS

The imagined İzmir berthing problem that somehow cannot be realized came to the forefront once again with this event, leading authorities to reconsider once more.

This became the most important topic of the press conference about the festival. Initiatives, applications, but unfortunately, legislation that somehow cannot be overcome.

İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Aziz KOCAOĞLU is also complaining about this just like us and expresses his frustration about it not being resolved.

BAY RACES ON THE PATH TO BECOMING TRADITIONAL

Festival major sponsor Arkas Holding Vice Chairman Bernard ARKAS expressed his satisfaction with everyone contributing to the event, the increasing participation day by day, and the rapid progress toward becoming a tradition.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO SEE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT İZMİR

Indeed, it is possible to see a completely different İzmir with the maritime potential in the region being channeled to the Bay.

An İzmir where boats of all sizes sail, with vessels moored to its quays, why not?

The İzmir sailors we have been following for a long time are also working like amateur soldiers for this cause. While wholeheartedly supporting all events in the region, they do not neglect to raise the bar of competition.

In our opinion, the best part is; they fill their boats with friends, families, neighbors and compete, becoming increasingly skilled sailors.

They have the discipline to follow the entire ritual meticulously from briefing to awards ceremony.

We followed an event in this atmosphere.

VESSEL TRAFFIC IN THE BAY

At the briefing held on Saturday morning, September 22nd, chief referee Hakan KÜTÜK first draws attention to the bay traffic.

Commercial ships, city line ferries, 50 racing yachts, chase boats and hundreds of sailboats in the waters in front of and off Karşıyaka Sailing Club.

OBJECTIVE; A VIEWABLE EVENT 

Races completely viewable along the shores of Izmir city. The courses are planned accordingly. The municipality has set up viewing stands in different areas.

In his statement, the Mayor of Izmir expressed that the city is virtually a natural viewing terrace, and a very significant portion of the population can also watch the events from their residences.

ALTERNATIVE COURSES

The race committee has planned alternative routes. The aim is to conduct fair and traceable races according to the changeable wind.

Long before the start to be given at 12:00, the boats have already begun warming up in the bay waters.

In the first race, Route 1 will be sailed. IRC groups Route 1A, Support Classes IRC 1B.

KORDON FEAST FROM THE SEA

The start line is between Gündoğdu-Aksoy. There are turning buoys off Bostanlı and Göztepe.

IRC boats will sail approximately 16 nautical miles.

The committee is waiting for the wind to strengthen a bit more.

With the wind showing 10 knots from 275 degrees, first the IRC groups and then the Support classes execute their starts.

But when almost the entire fleet has a general recall, another start.

As the wind gradually increases its strength, those in the IRC 0 group are advancing toward the turning buoy, opening the distance between themselves and the fleet.

At the start, COMET A ARKAS crosses the start line in the middle of the fleet in an unusual way. Trying to catch up with their closest rival ANTHING / DERE CONSTRUCTION. GÖZTEPE YELKEN occasionally getting in between.

As the wind increases, the waves are also rising and the race is becoming more challenging.

Everyone is also paying attention to GÖZTEPE YELKEN and ARNES, the ambitious teams of yacht racing in a short time. They can make a surprise at any moment again.

YACHT RACE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Meanwhile, images taken by people from Izmir from shore regarding the race are starting to appear on social media.

The competition within the groups continues breathlessly.

There are no longer guaranteed first places in their classes in Izmir races. Rankings change at any moment and this is very enjoyable.

The duration of the long race is also extending considerably.

For this reason, those who finish are waiting for a very long time for the 2nd race on the wavy course.

As those gradually approaching the finish line complete the race;

In IRC 0, ANTHING / DERE CONSTRUCTION

In IRC 1, GARANTI SAILING-LEMON

In IRC 2, ARNES

In IRC 3, YUNUSMARIN CYGNUS

IRC 4 KAYK APAZ KÖMÜRCÜOĞLU

IRC 5 DOKUZ EYLÜL ÜNİVERSİTESİ-KALKIŞ

DESTEK 1 HAPPY LEMON

DESTEK 2 AURIGA

DESTEK 3 LUNE

were the boats leaving their competitors behind.

THERE WILL BE A 2ND RACE

When the first race finished, with the wind blowing from 230 degrees at 12-16 knots and waves building up nicely, the committee announces preparations for the day's 2nd race.

COURSE 2 A and B will be sailed.

The short sausage course is divided into A and B, with lap differences between IRC and DESTEK classes.

The fleet is really tired, "it's getting towards evening.

Those saying "I wish the short course had been sailed first" add "the wait in between would have been less".

We ask the organization, they are also right. There are many parameters causing it to be this way.

After the tired fleet makes their starts, those allocating the bay for the races ask via radio "Weren't your races supposed to finish at 17:30?"

Let them ask, we continue racing, and done with the finishes too.

As for the results;

IRC 0 ANTHING / DERE CONSTRUCTION

IRC 1 GARANTI SAILING-LEMON

IRC 2 ARNES

IRC 3 BLUE MILES

IRC 4 KAYK APAZ KÖMÜRCÜOĞLU

IRC 5 FERMER

DESTEK 1 HAPPY LEMON

DESTEK 2 CANDID

DESTEK 3 LUNE

were the boats leaving their competitors behind.

VIEWS WORTHY OF A PASSPORT

In the evening, the quay where the boats are moored is bright and colorful. After shaking off the day's fatigue and going to the briefing on Sunday, September 23, Chief Umpire Hakan KÜTÜK announces that they have planned 2 races and that Route 3 will be sailed.

Again, racing will take place along all shores.

Wind from 250 degrees at 5-6 knots. It is expected to increase slightly, and the starts begin.

The wind is gradually increasing but cannot reach yesterday's level.

Waves are negligible.

At the mark roundings, spinnakers are being dropped and set. The battle between COMET A ARKAS and ANYTHING / DERE CONSTRUCTION is worth watching.

ANYTHING / DERE CONSTRUCTION, who finished yesterday's 2 races in first place, loses the first place of the 3rd race to COMET A ARKAS.

Apart from one or two groups, the rankings can change at any moment.

At the end of the 3rd race;

In IRC 0, COMET A ARKAS

In IRC 1, GARANTI SAILING-LEMON

In IRC 2, İZMİR YELKEN AKADEMİSİ

In IRC 3, MARE

In IRC 4, KAYK APAZ KÖMÜRCÜOĞLU

In IRC 5, DOKUZ EYLÜL ÜNİVERSİTESİ-KALKIŞ

In SUPPORT 1, FİNAL

AURIGA in SUPPORT 2

LUNE in SUPPORT 3

were the boats leaving their competitors behind.

At the end of the race, the wind starts to increase in strength. The 4th race will finish quickly

The same course will be sailed. This final race, which is truly a farewell race to the Gulf, delivers the pinnacle of competition.

From the largest to the smallest, all boats are relentlessly committed to the race.

ENVIRONMENT SOURED BY PROTESTS

When the finishes are taken, we witness that the COMET A ARKAS and ANYTHING / DERE CONSTRUCTION rivalry continues with protests as well. 

Mutual accusations; making changes in the number of crew on deck without giving notice.

Long hearings, evidence presented to the protest committee, and the announcement of results is delayed until late hours.

At the end of the protest hearing, ANYTHING / DERE CONSTRUCTION is disqualified from the 4th race, while its closest rival COMET A ARKAS becomes both the winner of its group and the owner of the 2018 Izmir Arkas Gulf Race cup.

At the end of the 4th race;

COMET A ARKAS in IRC 0

IRC 1 GARANTI SAILING-LEMON

IRC 2 ARNES

IRC 3 BLUE MILES

IRC 4 GOODDAY SUNSHINE

IRC 5 DOKUZ EYLÜL UNIVERSITY-KALKIŞ

DESTEK 1 FUN LEMON

DESTEK 2 CANDID

DESTEK 3 ATLANTIS

are the boats leaving their competitors behind.

In the evening, all preparations are complete at the historic gasworks. Truly an elegant setting. An awards ceremony resulting from meticulous preparations.

The moon heading toward full illuminates the festival's final event from above at open angles.

First, those who placed first in their classes receive their trophies.

IRC 0 COMET A ARKAS

IRC 1 GARANTI SAILING-LEMON

IRC 2 ARNES

IRC 3 BLUE MILES

IRC 4 KAYK APAZ KÖMÜRCÜOĞLU

IRC 5 DOKUZ EYLÜL UNIVERSITY-KALKIŞ

DESTEK 1 HAPPY LEMON

DESTEK 2 CANDID

DESTEK 3 LUNE

Then the top three of the races.

1- COMET A ARKAS

2 - ARNES

3 - GÖZTEPE YELKEN 1925

COMET A ARKAS, which also won the cup last year, will be the owner of the cup for another year.

Whoever wins it 5 years in a row becomes the permanent owner. That's the rule.