59 Yachts Set Course for Paradise

I came to Göcek on May 11th to follow the 25th Göcek Youth and Sports Cup yacht races, which will be held between May 12-16.

Göcek is developing and growing rapidly with each passing day.

While we previously paid attention to the density in the bays, this time I noticed the density in the town center, which we had forgotten.

When I first moored at the wooden dock in 1996, since there was no company for engine maintenance, my sailor friend from Foça, Captain Reşit, helped

me.

It was safe and peaceful enough that I could leave my boat anchored alone and go to Ankara and return.

Our friends from Izmir had a bar on the quay, and a few markets. A laundry, tailor Muhittin.

The bays were completely empty, moor wherever you want.

As a sailor who lived through those days, I couldn't recognize the new Göcek, which is developing so rapidly.

Marinas, piers extending an arm each year, boats waiting for their captains and patrons who have become landlocked near Göcek since winter.

I will be following the 25th Göcek Youth and Sports Cup organized by Göcek Yacht Club in Göcek, which continues this development.

The club is in its prime location, very beautiful and well-organized. Almost right in the heart of the sea.

When registration closes, we see that 59 boats will be racing. There are 475 athletes from 18 countries.

Club president Onur Ugan is delivering the welcome speech.

Chief umpire Can Giray is explaining the main principles of the races that will take place over 4 days.

A total of 6 races are planned over 4 days.

Start sequences: 

1.Start IRC 1-2

2.Start IRC 3-4

3.Start Charter 1-2 

After the briefing, participants watch the sunset at the welcome party in the club's warm garden.

At the end of the briefing, it is possible to see racers densely in the streets of Göcek. Racers everywhere.

12 May Tuesday

Every race day at 09:00, the day's briefing is held. Then to the course.

Today 2 races will be held. When the fleet goes to sea, bows towards Fethiye Bay.

When we looked at the meteorology sites for the race days; we saw that strong wind would dominate off Fethiye Bay throughout the week, and the bay remaining almost under its shelter would benefit from it, albeit slightly.

Wind was blowing from 210 degrees at 8-12 knots.

The committee was announcing that the first course would be GYC Course 5B. 

At 12:50, with the first start and other starts taking place at 5-minute intervals, 59 boats began racing in the bay.

While the first race was completed swiftly, the committee was announcing that GYC Course 5C would be sailed for the 2nd race.

With the wind blowing from 240 degrees at over 10 knots, the three starts of the day's second race were also taking place.

SHOUTS, CALLS, SCREAMS

In the congestion experienced by a few boats on the committee boat side of the start line, the boats were performing their maneuvers without any collision and

executing their starts.

After the starts, as the wind increased its strength, they were entering the course in small waves.

At the mark roundings, some boats were struggling to control their spinnakers.

THE TROUBLE OF THE BALLOON ENTERING THE WATER

One of them was Mersin Sailing Academy. The female athletes withdraw from the race thinking they won't be able to make up for the time loss they experienced because they couldn't bring down the balloon for minutes.

A PIRATE RACE?

Meanwhile, in the distance, towards the Göcek entrance, we see boats in such density that it almost makes you say "there's another race going on".

The wind continuing without dying down causes the race to continue and complete comfortably.

At the end of the day that started with the planned 2 races, participants fill the different venues of Göcek nights.

May 13, Wednesday

There was 1 race planned for today. However, understanding that tomorrow's wind strength cannot be relied upon, the committee doesn't let go of caution and announces that 2 races will be held.

The course was to be set up within Göcek Bay. The start line is being established southwest of Zeytinli Island and it is

announced that the route is Route 3A from the GYC routes. Racing will take place west of Tersane Island.

The wind has again entered from offshore and has even raised small wavelets.

While the wind plays between 190-200 degrees, it settles at 220 degrees at 8-10 knots and the starts take place.

There are a few foredeck mishaps. And their recoveries, of course.

Once the race starts, the wavelets increase.

The spinnakers create magnificent scenes.

IS THERE REALLY A PIRATE RACE?

While our eyes witness the harmony of spinnakers on our course, this time there are boats on the open sea side that appear to be racing intensely.

Perhaps our eyes are deceiving us. In the old days, races were held for sodas, this practice was banned.

DRONE IN GÖCEK BAY WATERS

While the boats race and present us with magnificent views, on our Media boat, pilot Resul Bulguroğlu, who is filming with a drone, brings the drone close with

while following a boat in the plans, he doesn't see that boat's approaching competitor and crashes the drone into its shrouds.

The drone is in the sea, we're looking at the log from the controller left behind; -3 mt. altitude is shown, meaning in the water.

Get well soon, what's done is done, we say.

MAY 13 "GENERAL RECALL DAY" BLESSED BE

At the end of the rapidly finishing race, the committee announces without wasting time that the day's 2nd race will be sailed on the same course.

While the wind is blowing in the 10-16 knot range, they give the first start for IRC 1 and 2.

But the fleet crosses the start line collectively before the committee's start.

General recall.

Announcements, flags, warnings barely turn back the boats that have charged ahead.

The new start is quickly prepared, but IRC 1 and 2 have entered the course early again.

General recall.

We wish this would be the last "general recall" for these classes on this beautiful day of ours.

But our wishes are not granted.

3rd general recall…

Finally, these boats start racing on the 4th attempt, complying with the committee's whistle and flag.

On the 2nd race day, after racing to their heart's content and fiercely competing overall, those returning in the evening attend the dinner at the ceremony area inside D-Marin Göcek Marina and the award ceremony.

They participate. 

THIS CLASSIC VENUE SUITS YACHT RACES VERY WELL

The area inside the marina, which has been hosting races in Göcek for years, is beautifully organized.

Orderly seating groups, rich open buffet, and magnificent stage and lighting setup.

Everything runs like clockwork. 

The class winners who earned awards in the 2 days of racing receive their trophies.

Everything is thought out, down to the table arrangements. The tables of those receiving awards are at the front, so they can go up on stage immediately. There's no time wasted in the ceremony flow.

LATIN MELODIES 

After the award ceremony, a wonderful concert specifically for sailors. 

While Latin music seeps into Göcek, the racers are taking their resting routes.

Need to enter tomorrow's race refreshed.

May 15, Thursday

Göcek bay is quite crowded: Boats at anchor, wintering boats ashore, boats on buoys transferring.

The committee is preparing the start line between the north of Göcek Island and the western mainland.

The wind only exists in this area, in other places it's on and off.

A military vessel is departing from the port, it could pose a threat to the racing boats.

Chief Race Officer Can Giray persistently warns the fleet to avoid collision.

Once the vessel sets course east of Göcek Island, start procedures begin.

Wind, from 160-170 degrees between 6-8 knots…

The committee announces route 1B from the GYC routes for the day’s single race.

The boats sailing from Göcek will exit to Fethiye Bay from the north of Yassıca Islands, leave Kızıl Island to port and finish by entering the inner harbor between Göcek Island and Yassıcalar.

When the wind settles in terms of direction and doesn’t drop below the limits, the boats enter the course with 3 starts at five-minute intervals.

The shores are full of boats at anchor.

Huge motor yachts, gulets.

The racing yachts are slowly sailing south with tacks, trying not to be blanketed by these boats.

WHAT’S THAT, A PIRATE RACE?

For 2 days we’ve been witnessing an activity resembling a yacht race far from our racing area.

Us inside, them outside. This cannot be a coincidence, I’ll try to find out when I get ashore.

The fleet exiting from Göcek Bay to Fethiye Bay slows down from time to time as the wind decreases, then speeds up as the wind increases.

Especially after the turn at Kızıl Ada, they accelerate and cross the finish line.

Only one race was planned for today, and it has been completed.

The streets of Göcek are swarming with racers day and night. Mostly Russian athletes. 

Our proximity to their country, our magnificent nature, our cruising and racing boat facilities, and our clubs that organize international yacht races

appeal to them.

This convergence has increased significantly after the pandemic period and the Russia-Ukraine war.

The visitors are happy, the hosts are happy, the race organizers are happy.  A beautiful, attractive, different and large market.

This crowd within the town has an appearance beyond our race participation.

AND BINGO

Apart from the GYC organization, there was apparently another race on the same days on this course.

The race scene I saw in Marmaris recently is also applicable on this course.

Races that should take place under the control of the sailing federation and organized by our clubs are instead being organized

by Russian organizers outside all of this.

Over time, they have even entered the federation race calendar.

Who their referees are, according to what they create the calendar is unknown. 

"Are our clubs given the right to choose the race calendar according to their schedule?" That is also unknown.

The races they announce before federation approval is even finalized, is a fait accompli being created with transportation and accommodation organizations?

If the purpose is sportive, if the purpose is tourism revenue, shouldn't the control of this be in our clubs?

Otherwise, participation numbers change in favor of those doing this business and the situation becomes impossible to get out of.

If these things happen through restaurant owners, through their parliamentary customers, through them telling the ministries, if foreigners are granted this right in our own waters

beyond amateurism and it becomes legalized, the federation and clubs will have no authority left.

If those who bring their referees and broadcasters today take your participants tomorrow and organize races, woe to us.

How can clubs whose revenues are taken away train new athletes.

In this magnificent nature, can't we organize, can't we succeed in the sailing organizations that develop over time?

Can't they enter these races?

Do those who control the principles of the advertisements taken by teams in our races also control these?

Are referee qualifications and licenses being controlled?

Can we Turks enter foreign country waters and organize races?

I ask myself all these and many more as a Turk.

These have cost me my sleep.

Friday, May 16

Last race day and a single race will be held.

Clouds are covering the sky as procedures begin.

Winds blowing from the north will veer southward in time.

Veering but slowly.

Waiting for the wind to settle at the starting line set at the same location as yesterday.

The wind direction finally settles at 150 degrees and procedures begin.

Today, Route 2G from GYC routes will be sailed.

The entire fleet will race in the inner and outer harbor, with passages between the islands.

As the wind blows between 5-7, starts begin in sequence.

During the 3rd start, the wind is at lower limits and Charter 1-2s start as if in slow motion.

The fleet trying to exit with light wind from between Göcek Island and Yassıcalar, the wind significantly increases its strength as they enter the inner harbor from the south.

The boats racing with spinnakers complete the course and cross the finish line.

There is an award ceremony in the evening. At the end of the race week, the trophies find their owners with a beautiful and flawless ceremony.

ONUR UGAN

GYC President

“We had a very enjoyable race week. Good wind was expected for two days of the four-day race. But there was suitable racing wind on all four days.

We completed all planned races.

Both in Fethiye Gulf and in Göcek Bays. We were able to do sausage, buoy, and geographical routes.

It was a week with 475 athletes from 18 countries participating.

This year we held the 25th race. This was also meaningful for us.

It was named the May 19 Atatürk Commemoration, Youth and Sports Cup. 

Being able to hold a race in Atatürk's name is very important to us.

The fact that participation is at an international level and extensive, along with the presence of an international jury, is an indicator of how comprehensive the races

our country will organize are.

We are happy to contribute to such an event both for the sport of sailing and for our local tradespeople."

At the end of 6 races held over 4 days;