BEAUTIFUL THINGS HAPPENED IN MARMARIS

On May 11-12, the yachts that competed in all conditions during the winter months in the azure blue waters of green Marmaris will finally hit the course one last time.

Having experienced the rain, cold, waves, wind, and calm, they have arrived at this sunny final leg.

The meteorology showed no adverse conditions for the race dates days in advance.

On Saturday morning, May 11, the southwesterly wind had already started in the early hours.

With the effect of the southwesterly, the weather had warmed up considerably, and Marmaris had transitioned into summer intensity.

The southwesterly winds, which were already effective in most legs anyway, would apparently be effective in the farewell leg as well.

FINAL BRIEFING

The traditional briefing at MIYC facilities started right on time with the chief umpire's whistle.

The final briefing has a slightly bittersweet atmosphere dominating the meeting.

It looks like it will pass in a farewell mood.

Former MIYC president İhsan KALAYCI had invited EAYK Commodore Akif SEZER to the races.

It's the final race, and they will bid farewell to the trophy together in solidarity.

EARLY ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE LONG GEOGRAPHIC COURSE

Chief Umpire Can GİRAY says they have reached the final leg of the trophy by applying different courses as much as possible.

"It was enjoyable to race the ambitious racing fleet.

We find the wind here that we don't see on other courses.

There is a fleet that wants to race.

Today, the weather is suitable for racing.p>

We owe IRC 3 and 4 Classes a race from previous races.

We'll have them race twice today.

The wind, according to our measurements, looks suitable for racing both outside and inside the harbor."

This time, the chief umpire announces during the briefing that IRC 1 and 2 Classes will run the F-3 route from MIYC Routes. A long route.

WE STARTED WITH LODOS, WE'LL FINISH WITH LODOS

At the end of the briefing, boats casting off from Netsel Marina arrive alongside the committee boat on the course where wind from 125 degrees at 5-7 knots is prevailing.

Today, IRC 1 and 2 Classes will race on a long geographical route of approximately 20 nautical miles.

COME ON BROTHER, COME...GET ON THE ROUTE.

The route has everything you could ask for. Upwind-Downwind-Beam reach.

Areas where the wind blows like a chimney, spots where it hides behind hills and snickers at the fleet...

Whatever you're looking for is present.

At 12:05, the first whistle of the day sounds for the start of IRC 1 and 2 classes.

These classes begin their rush with trapezes toward the upwind mark in front of Yalancı Boğaz.

p>

When the clock shows 12:10, the start horn sounds for IRC 3 and 4 Classes.

These classes will compete in a buoy race on the R-2 course from MIYC Routes. They are inside the bay.

After this start, we follow IRC 1 and 2 Classes.

This group, quickly rounding the windward mark, will pass through positions with different wind conditions as they head toward İçmeler.

Immediately after rounding the mark, the spinnakers go up.

UNTIL THE SPINNAKER TOUCHES THE WATER

The fleet, speeding toward the Marmaris harbor exit, is met by squalls in this area.

At times, they come through quite strong.

The broaches of those who didn't take precautions despite their trimmers seeing these conditions ahead are like holiday gifts for our lenses.

KEÇI ISLAND LIKE A CAT

For the leaders entering the lee of Keçi Island, these locations become yet another tea break spot.

Those who observe the leaders and learn from them are now closing the gap while keeping a route close to the shore from the north.

While this group lingers off İçmeler, we are heading out through the strait.

We will both meet the fleet from this direction, and our MIYC Board Member Halit KESKİN will check the buoy offshore and inform the committee.

MY BUOY, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, DON'T DRIFT AWAY

Eyes on the chart and on the sea...

Turgay NOYAN and Halit KESKİN search with binoculars for a long time.

What if the buoy has drifted?

Worrying thoughts come to mind.

After searching for a long time, Çiğdem YURTSEVER spots the yellow buoy in a single glance.

A refreshing touch to the hearts, give your hand to the İçmeler exit.

İÇMELER EXIT SHORT TACKS

The wind has increased in these locations. The strong wind blowing from classic İçmeler has turned and come around, hitting İçmeler from the channel.

Naturally, the racing boats trying to exit from here are engaged in fierce competition with their rivals through short tacks.

SÜTLAÇ-GÖKOVA SAILING TEAM, LEMON are the leading boats.

SEARCHING FOR WIND AT THE BUOY LOCATION

As the boats approach the buoy, the wind suddenly drops to 2-4 knots.

CHESS ON THE SEA

Tactical battles continue without leaving time to catch one's breath.

It's literally like playing chess on this course.

The passage between the buoy and Kargataşı Island is made at a slow pace, but as soon as the island is rounded, the filling spinnakers carry the entire fleet virtually on a single tack to the finish line inside the harbor.

Those who use their spinnakers well are gaining the advantage.

The images of the racers, concentrated without losing focus for even 1 second from the race, are reflected in our lens.

Meanwhile, the start procedure announcements for the 2nd Race of IRC 2 and 3 Classes racing in the inner harbor are heard over our radio.

WIND HAS INCREASED IN THE INNER HARBOR

While IRC 1 and 2 Classes complete their finishes one after another, IRC 3 and 4 Classes enter our field of view with their spinnakers at the buoy turns of the R-2 Course they are racing for the second time.

The wind has strengthened inside. Small waves have even formed.

When the first races of the day finish;

In IRC 1, SÜTLAÇ-GÖKOVA SAILING TEAM (Mahmut SARAL)

In IRC 2, COREDON CHEESE (Güney KAPTAN)

In IRC 3, DAWN (Mustafa Alp DİLEK)

In IRC 4, CLAVELLA (Leo KOLF)

are the boats that leave their competitors behind.

While IRC 1 and 2 Classes completed the day's single race and headed to Netsel Marina, IRC 3 and 4 Classes were continuing their exciting battles in the 2nd buoy race with winds reaching 15-17

knots.

The strengthening wind was also helping to complete the 2-lap buoy race quickly.

When this race was completed;

In IRC 3, İSKORPİT (Bülent ÇELİK)

In IRC 4, CLAVELLA (Leo KOLF)

were the boats that left their competitors behind.

ALMOST LIKE A FAREWELL PARTY

In the evening at MIYC facilities, there's the prize ceremony for the ERGO-MIYC Winter Trophy 5th Leg Yacht Races.

A buffet has been set up.

This time the köfte at the barbecue is entrusted to Hayri KAÇAR.

An atmosphere like a farewell night with those who need to return early after tomorrow's race.

MOTHERS REMEMBERED AT SEA

Sunday, May 12th is obviously Mother's Day.

On the course, through an announcement from the committee boat, beloved mothers are respectfully remembered at sea.p>

I'VE SETTLED AT 125 DEGREES BRO, DON'T SPOIL MY MOOD

The wind direction is the same as we left it yesterday.

It really loves the fleet, still blowing from 125 degrees.

Although the wind appears low in meteorology site forecasts, it's blowing at 6-7 knots, embarrassing them.

Having all classes run a single race is sufficient to meet race count targets.

The committee announces that the R-1 course from MIYC Routes will be sailed inside the bay.

It's suitable for us too.

Buoy races are the courses where beautiful images and close competition are best captured.

At 12:15, IRC 1 and 2 Classes, and at 12:20, IRC 3 and 4 Classes execute their starts.

Although the wind occasionally increases its power at the start by a notch, this is how it is today, we'll accept it.

The buoy rounding marks become venues for head-to-head competition.

In downwind legs with light wind, the effect of careful trim and course keeping becomes evident.

p>

TOWARDS THE FINAL LEG WITH PLENTY OF BALLOONS

On a sunny, sparkling day on the Marmaris course, the colorful balloons finally released appear to my eyes like a gift of Turkish Akide Candy

to the racers who have competed in different conditions throughout the winter.

Clean finishes, scenes of throwing helmsmen into the water from boats that secured their success are now beginning.

KNOW THE WATERS YOU RACE IN UP CLOSE

First, Mahmut SARAL from SÜTLAÇ-GÖKOVA SAILING TEAM is thrown into the water.

More follow from other boats.

Pure enthusiasm.

At the end of the day's races;

In IRC 1: SÜTLAÇ-GÖKOVA SAILING TEAM (Mahmut SARAL)

In IRC 2: FIFTY FIFTY-NISSAN (Bartu ÖZSOY)

In IRC 3: DAWN (Mustafa Alp DİLEK)

In IRC 4: BLUE BIRD 2 (Mehmet ÖZDAŞ)

are the boats that left their competitors behind.

The boats moor at Netsel Marina, and as soon as the results are finalized, the closing awards ceremony begins at MIYC facilities.

FINAL TROPHIES, FINAL CEREMONY

I don't know if trophy fatigue is overcome with a beautiful ceremony, but the participants' happiness is evident on their faces.

After 6 legs where we experienced different conditions, each more beautiful than the other, we see that the Marmaris course did not fall below its customary distinct character, but rather featured a course that raised the bar pleasantly.

In creating this outcome; the management, race committee, and participants share a great contribution.

TROPHY LEADERS IN THEIR CLASSES;

IRC 1

SÜTLAÇ-GÖKOVA SAILING TEAM

IRC 2

FIFTY FIFTY-NISSAN

IRC 3

KAYK APAZ-KÖMÜRCÜOĞLU

IRC 4

BOOMERANG

DID WE JOIN THE EUROPEAN UNION?

After all trophies found their owners, all helmsmen who received trophies take their places on stage for the traditional photo of yacht racing.

Last year, we flew a drone to capture this scene.

We barely saved the drone when we tried to get close-up footage.

When the final formation is complete, fireworks and confetti are launched into the air.

We're experienced, we learned our lesson. This year, filming is from the ground.

Due to the sun's effect, these launched items appear slightly in the footage.

A COMMITTEE COMPETING WITH ITSELF

We witnessed throughout the trophy that the committee competed with themselves to conduct quality races wholeheartedly, without compromising on fairness standards.

For the final evaluations, we first received the views of Chief Umpire Can GİRAY.

"In this long-haul race lasting 6 months, thank God, Marmaris never let us down, as always.

Even when we felt hopeless, it brought out its wind for us.

We have respect for this geography.

Here, we witness IRC boats multiplying.

The Cruising and Support class remained as a class that didn't accept registrations despite opening of registrations.

Especially with the wind changes caused by man-made alterations to the geography in Istanbul, we became able to easily conduct upwind-downwind races here that we couldn't accomplish there.

We completed all 16 planned races.p>

I would like to thank everyone who contributed.

METICULOUS MANAGEMENT

We have always witnessed the management's meticulous, disciplined approach and their unwavering sense of responsibility.

On their behalf, MIYC Chairman Mustafa Cem TEKDAĞ shared his views;

"In my opinion, this was a very successful trophy.

We did our best to organize the finest races.

We conducted them on long geographical courses.

We believe it was a trophy that gave pleasure to the racers.

During times of light wind, thermals coming from different points in the Marmaris geography played chess with us.

I think this was very enjoyable.

As a club, we will next hold the Channel Regatta with our Greek sailor friends, which we are doing for the first time.

Following that, we have our race week, which we will be holding for the thirtieth time.

We are working to do our very best and raise the bar.

We will conclude the year with the Burhanettin Tekdağ Cup as the final event of the year."

GENTLEMANLY AND SPORTSMAN-LIKE PARTICIPANTS

Throughout the trophy, we witnessed a competition where the participants never once abandoned their gentlemanly conduct and sportsmanship.

Finally, we got the views of Mahmur SARAL, helmsman of SÜTLAÇ-GÖKOVA SAILING TEAM, who won the Trophy cup in IRC 1 Class.

Saral, who is also a Board Member of the Turkish Sailing Federation, attended the awards ceremony with his son Atlas.

"This year, we competed in a yacht race for the first time as Gökova Sailing Club.

The added value for us is enormous.

There is of course the comfort of being in our own region.

At the same time, we know everyone very well.

MIYC did excellent hosting.

They delivered a performance beyond expectations.

The race management was flawless.

The course setters and the decisions made were magnificent.

The bar has risen considerably since the race week until today.

The fleet racing on this course is very gentlemanly, very sportsmanlike, respectful of each other and adds a lot.

We are constantly training within our objectives.

In September, we will race in the 4th Leg of the MELGES 32 class World League and then at the World Championship in Spain.

Our goal is to prepare the team for that.

We race at full performance until the final seconds of the finish.

Getting the reward made us happy."