WIND FELL SHORT IN GÖCEK BUT THE EXCITEMENT CONTINUES

I am in Göcek for the 23rd Göcek Atatürk Cup Yacht Races held on November 3-7, 2025.

The summer season hasn't ended here yet. Activity continues both on land and at sea.

In the past, when November arrived, the weather would suddenly change, rushing into winter. That's not the case anymore.

As a result, the town continues its lively, vibrant, and radiant days just like in the summer months.

GÖCEK IS NOT TIRED FROM THE SUMMER SEASON

There's none of that end-of-tourism-season fatigue we see in many holiday resorts during these months. It continues as is, as if the season won't close.

GÖCEK DEVELOPING AND BEAUTIFYING INCREASINGLY

In Göcek, it's not possible to see structural deformation within the town. On the contrary, all facilities and businesses are developing as if competing with each other. Those who invest here also serve the town with their intellect

and taste.

Göcek impressed me a lot too, it would be good to move on to the races.

WEATHER IN THE REGION CONTINUES AS SUMMER

Last week I followed the race week in Marmaris. The weather didn't surprise the racers in that race either.

When we look at the meteorology sites, we see forecasts that during the days of the 23rd Göcek Atatürk Cup Yacht Races to be held in Göcek, the weather will be hot and a bit

lacking in wind.

81 boats from 19 countries have registered. 697 athletes will compete on the course.

Since it generally coincides with November 10th, it has been declared as the Atatürk Cup.

6 RACES PLANNED

6 races are planned. The race to take place on Wednesday will be held in memory of Necati Zincirkıran, whose contributions to amateur sailing are indisputable and whom we recently lost.

On Monday evening, November 3rd, there will be a general briefing for the races at the ceremony area inside D Marin Göcek.

After GYC President Onur Ugan’s welcome speech, Chief Umpire Can Giray explains the general rules of the race in detail.

FOREIGN SAILORS IN RACES ACROSS ALL REGIONS

The majority of participants are Russian sailors. When we look at the faces, most of them seem familiar from Marmaris races.

This shows that one week is not enough for athletes coming from abroad to race, and since they're here, they're making use of both weeks by racing.

And in different paradise-like regions at that. 

NOVEMBER 4TH TUESDAY

Again we're in Göcek with its daily sunshine, sparkling clear skies.

There are 2 races planned for today, scheduled to start at 12:00.

Scheduled yes, but in the morning there isn't a leaf stirring in the area.

The committee has set course for the waters off Fethiye Bay. The fleet is also spread throughout the entire Bay. The sea is flat calm, we are witnessing the reflections of the boats.

Classic sunbathing, energy gathering rest periods, and so on.

When the clock strikes 12:00, there's nothing to do; Postponement Notice.

WE STARTED WITH A POSTPONEMENT…

Long waits, looking east-west, north-south, and searching for wind.

Finally, Poseidon takes pity on all these people who have come from so far away, and light wind begins to come from 210 degrees.

As time passes, it increases a bit.

In light of this development, the committee announces that Route L-1 from the GYC routes will be raced.

Now it's time for the wind to settle.

That happens when the clock shows 13:00. Between 4-6 knots. After saying "Well, this is enough for us," the start procedures begin.

The fleet will start racing on the course with five separate starts at five-minute intervals.

After the first start of IRC 1, the start of IRC 2-3 leads the race committee to a general recall decision.

While these classes wait, the others are completing their starts.

The wind being barely sufficient for starting prevents cutthroat start scenes from emerging.

After all starts are completed, IRC 2-3 start again but it's another general recall.

They approach the final start cautiously and are on the course.

The race proceeds with beautiful scenes but slowly.

The spinnakers set after the buoy roundings present unforgettable scenes to Fethiye Bay.

As the leading boats finish, the Race Committee announces that the 2nd race of the day will be held.

ANNOUNCING IS NOT ENOUGH

Announcing is not enough, the wind needs to support this as well.

Over the elapsed time, the wind is not increasing, but gradually decreasing.

The experienced committee announces that the 2nd Race of the day will not take place. There is no other race.

Among the 81 boats, from the Turkish boats racing in IRC 1, Cem HAKKO's VAKKORAMASI becomes 4th in its class, while racing in IRC 2 class, Fırat ŞAHİN's

WINGS RACING boat becomes first in its class and racing in IRC 5 class, Can AKBAŞOĞLU's HEY TEACHER boat becomes 3rd. 

With the right decision, returns to the marina finally begin.

NEW MARINA IN GÖCEK; BUOY MARINA

While approaching the marina, yellow-colored buoys catch attention in areas close to the shores. There are many in various places.

The news had been received, "Göcek sea areas will be equipped with a buoy system instead of anchoring" was stated. 

It has been fitted with buoys very quickly, but who will operate it is not clear. 

Boats have moored to these buoys for wintering, no fee is being requested for now. 

STATE OR PRIVATE SECTOR?

There is talk of an entity called Turkey Environment Agency. It is unclear whether this is affiliated with the State or the private sector. 

MINISTRY OF FORESTRY HAS NOT GRANTED PERMISSION

In fact, instead of installing a buoy at the head and a mooring line at the stern, buoys have been laid on both sides. What is being rumored; the Ministry of Forestry has not granted permission for the mooring lines.

WILL THEY BE NOTAM'ED, IS INSURANCE COVERAGE VALID?

How will these moorings be handled? What are the conditions? Nobody knows.

Will the buoys be NOTAM'ed? Will they officially take their place on nautical charts? 

What will happen in case of accidents or theft incidents that may occur here?

Will the insurance conditions at marinas be valid? We are asking, investigating, but nobody knows anything.

STARTING AS STATE AND AGAIN PRIVATE SECTOR?

The Göcek Municipality Marina process inevitably comes to mind. How the municipality-operated facility, called a marina but essentially a pier, after being transferred to Muçev, over time

transformed into a marina in the heart of Göcek, and then how Muçev disappeared and was transferred to a private operator, comes to mind.

Sailors living in Göcek and Göcek enthusiasts are rightfully concerned about these questions for which they cannot find answers.

NO EVENING EVENT PARTICIPANTS IN GÖCEK VENUES

No evening event. Göcek streets are full of racing boat athletes. Every venue is packed with racers.

NOVEMBER 5 WEDNESDAY

Again a sunny, bright and sparkling Göcek. No news of wind, fortunately.

2 RACES PLANNED

The committee had previously announced that a single race would be held during the day. Wanting to make up for yesterday's missed race, it announced that two races will be held today.

İZ KAYASI LOCATION

It was announced that since the starts are scheduled at 12:00 from İz Kayası location, the racing yachts need to depart from the marina accordingly.

It was also added that in the races in this area, L-1 and L-2 routes from GYC Routes will be sailed.

POSTPONEMENT FIRST

At 11:55, there was a postponement due to insufficient wind.

Since the wind did not come for a long time, the usual sunbathing and time-passing activities were reflected in the visuals.

At 13:30, the wind that started moving prompted the committee to begin start procedures.

It was announced through the announcement that L-2 route from GYC Routes would be sailed for all classes.

Again, 5 separate starts will take place with five-minute intervals. As the start moment approaches, the wind is blowing from 230 degrees between 4-6 knots.

NEW RACE ANNOUNCEMENT WHILE FIRST FINISHES ARE BEING TAKEN BUT...

While the first finishes were being taken, the 2nd Race of the day was also announced. However, at 15:44 it was announced that no other race would be held today.

The IRC 1 class is finishing almost together. There are very small time intervals between them.

CEREMONY AREA IS PERFECT

In the evening, the ceremony area at D Marin Göcek has been prepared excellently.

As the sun sets, guests are filling the ceremony area. The trophies of the first 2 days will find their owners.

IN MEMORY OF NECATİ ZİNCİRKIRAN

On Wednesday, the awards will be distributed in memory of Necati Zincirkıran, the veteran elder brother of amateur sailors and journalist who recently passed away.

ZİNCİRKIRAN FAMILY ON STAGE

His wife and two sons are also in the ceremony area. They are presenting the trophies.

In today's races, among Turkish boats, Cem HAKKO's VAKKORAMASI racing in IRC 1 becomes first in its class, while Fırat ŞAHİN's WINGS

RACING boat racing in IRC 2 class becomes second in its class, and Can AKBAŞOĞLU's HEY TEACHER boat racing in IRC 5 class becomes first in its class. 

CRAZY FUN

After the trophies find their owners, participants have fun until late hours accompanied by live music.

NOVEMBER 6 THURSDAY

We jinxed the sun, clouds are shedding their tears over the region in early hours.

As time progresses, partly cloudy weather prevails. No precipitation.

THE RACE PASSED WAITING FOR WIND

The planned start is at 12:00. But there's no sign of wind. The entire fleet is ready around the committee boat off Göcek.

If only there were wind.

Finally, the start procedures begin at 13:00. The wind is barely there. From 210 degrees at 2-4 knots.

THE COMMITTEE BENT OVER BACKWARDS TO MAKE THE RACE HAPPEN

The committee announces Route 8 from GYC routes for IRC classes,

Route 3 from GYC routes for Charter classes.

The wind is problematic, additionally a precautionary 30-minute time limit extension comes.

SLOW MOTION STARTS

The first starts are like slow motion. Those with forespar will spend years on the turn. As the 3rd start approaches, a postponement is issued. 

The situation is not good, difficult.

Finally, those who started cannot make progress and at 13:40 all classes that started are abandoned.

Those who want to take advantage of the opportunity with new expectations are rushing to jump into the sea.

EVERYTHING IS HERE

At 14:50 the committee establishes a new start area north of Göcek Island, between the mainland.

This location at least gets wind compared to other areas.

The committee quickly sets up the start line and announces the courses: IRC classes will sail Route 7 from the GYC courses.

Competitors in the Charter class will sail Route 3 from the GYC courses.

These routes are the same in terms of distance and navigation. But after the start, the sailing directions are different. From the north of Göcek Island to the east, then to the south and inward between the islands.

After 5 starts, the fleet is racing in Fethiye Bay. The wind is sufficient for racing.

ZEYTIN ISLAND TURNS

VAKKORAMA is holding the lead in the IRC class. After rounding Zeytin Island, it's inland waters.

The wind varies according to locations inside.

Following VAKKORAMA, the leading boats are also entering the inner harbor.

This time, it's necessary to choose areas where the wind is working while watching out for shallow areas.

CHARTERS IN THE INNER HARBOR

While the IRC classes are advancing towards the finish line, Charter class boats are entering the inner harbor with spinnakers from the south of Göcek Island.

BABADAĞ IS BEAUTIFUL LIKE THIS TOO

In the background, Fethiye mountains, Babadağ.

The first finish is made by yacht JUANA competing in Charter 1 class.

Subsequently, IRC yachts are coming in one by one, slowly.

WIND; MAY IT FIND RAKΙ

The wind is dying.

Yachts crossing the finish line don't need to drop their spinnakers. The spinnakers have already dropped.

AND OUR TEAMS

At the end of Day 3's single race, among Turkish yachts competing in IRC 1, Cem HAKKO's VAKKORAMASI finishes second in class, while in IRC 2 class, Fırat ŞAHİN's

WINGS RACING yacht finishes first in class.

7 NOVEMBER FRIDAY

The rain came down so suddenly with thunder that it woke us from our beds towards morning.

THE RAIN HAS COME NOW

The races were moved from 11:00 to 12:00. Wind, rain synchronized on the course.

As time passed, the intensity of the rain decreased, and unfortunately, the wind followed suit.

The committee is gathering the fleet at yesterday's starting area. The wind has decreased and is disappearing.

RACERS ARE TIED TO YELLOW BUOYS

Some boats are tied to those yellow buoys, following the announcements.

The organization and committee are making every effort possible. If only there could be one more race.

AND TODAY THERE IS NO RACE…

But as weather conditions increasingly move away from racing conditions, Principal Race Officer Can Giray announces at 14:30 his wish to meet at the evening prize ceremony

to the racers.

There is a closing and prize ceremony in the evening.

Before seeing the owners of the trophies, before the ceremony begins, let's get the evaluations of GYK President and Race Committee Chairman Principal Race Officer Can Giray.

Onur UGAN / GYC President

“Göcek has different and beautiful routes for racing.
End-of-season winds were uncertain and it rained; despite this, we were able to hold some of the races.

In such an organization, we hosted 697 athletes with 81 boats. Nothing happened to anyone; this is very important.

They both raced, swam, lived in this unique nature and were happy.

We are doing an outdoor sport. Conditions may not always allow us to race, but I think they experienced the beauties of nature.

We hope they will come again to many races we will organize next year.

We especially thank you for conveying our voice to wide sailing audiences.

I thank our marina, our jury, and everyone who took part and made efforts in the organization. Everything ran like clockwork; this was very important.

We await everyone for winter season events.”

Can GİRAY / Chief Race Officer

"This year, the 23rd Göcek Atatürk Cup Yacht Races took place between November 3-7, 2025.

A total of 697 athletes and 81 yachts from 19 different countries participated in the race.

51 IRC class yachts and 30 IRC charter boats competed on race courses set up in Göcek bay and Fethiye gulf.

A maximum of 6 races were planned over a total of 4 race days. 

The first two race days featured races on windward/leeward technical courses set up inside Fethiye Bay. The 120-minute races were completed without issues, but as wind speed dropped significantly near sunset, the Race Committee decided to abandon preparations for the second race and return to the marina. Thus, the first two race days concluded with one race each.

The route selected for the third day was a course around Göcek Island for IRC charter boats, and around Yassıcalar and Zeytin Island for IRC boats. As the wind suitable for racing arrived around 14:00, the RC immediately began procedures without wasting time, giving the start from the Göcek Island strait and heading to the west of Göcek Island to set up the finish line where they would await finishes. Although there was concern that leading boats might arrive early since the 3 IRC and 2 charter class starts lasted approximately 30 minutes with five-minute intervals each, the rapidly dropping wind strength led to other concerns.

IRC 1-2 and 3 boats completed their finishes without problems, and Charter boats also began appearing at the finish line shortly after. However, as sunset approached, the RC decided that the fairest solution for IRC4 and 5 boats that had not yet approached the finish line was to abandon the race, and ended the race for these two divisions.

On the final day, due to the thunderstorm affecting the race area in addition to heavy rain that began early in the morning, the RC issued instructions for boats not to leave the marinas.

Nobody would want to move with 81 masts among lightning and thunderbolts anyway. As the last race of the series could not be held due to completely collapsed wind following the thunderstorm system, the 23rd Göcek Atatürk Cup was completed with 3 races.

During the races, the wind blew from approximately 140 to 230 degrees, mostly around 5 knots, occasionally reaching 6 and 7 knots.

During rainy moments, it completely lost its strength from time to time with fast squalls."

NOW THE AWARD CEREMONY AND THE CUP WINNERS...