FIVE INTENTIONS, ONE DESTINY - Coast Guide TR

I am landing at Dalaman Airport one day early to follow the MIYC Winter Trophy 6th Leg races that will take place on April 25-26. While the plane is still taxiing, I witness that the tourism region has now become lively. Planes bringing tourists have arrived in Dalaman, transfer vehicles have increased.

TOURISM SEASON HAS STARTED

When I arrive in Marmaris, the situation is clear: The beaches are clear. Those walking around in shorts are also an indication that the weather has warmed up considerably. Marmaris Municipality continues its arrangements in all areas rapidly. The number of boats anchored in the roadstead has also increased.

Some streets in the bazaar area have been renewed. On the quay, boats ready for the season have appeared side by side, refreshing their appearance.

Racing boats have also taken their place at the quay near the club building.

SATURDAY, APRIL 25

The briefing, an essential part of the races, starts at 10:00.

INTENTION: FIVE RACES

Chief Race Officer Ezgi Kalaycı begins her speech by introducing the race committee members she has worked with throughout the trophy; she thanks them for their support and efforts.

Kalaycı states that due to the lack of wind until today, only 13 races could be completed during the trophy, while the planned number was 18.

We plan to complete the remaining 5 races this week, but adds that this depends on weather conditions.

He notes that the wind is again insufficient, but they will go out to sea instead of postponing on land in order to evaluate the available conditions.

OVERCAST WEATHER WINDLESS COURSE

An overcast weather prevails on the course. There is no sun, the clouds create a grey appearance.

Our hope is that in time the sun will show its face and the colors befitting Marmaris will emerge.

The planned start time is 12.00. At 10.50 there is a 7 knot wind blowing from 145 degrees on the course. Let's see if it will continue?

After this measurement, the wind gradually decreases and disappears. Postponement signal and long wait…

HOW LONG WILL WE WAIT

The situation is the same both in the inner harbor and outer harbor; the wind doesn't exceed 3 knots. After this calm that lasted until 14:20, wind slowly starts entering the course.

While the committee continues searching for a route according to developing conditions, they try different start points and finally drop anchor in front of Albatros Marina.

The wind is blowing at 7-8 knots from 135 degrees.

CONSTANTLY SHIFTING WIND DIRECTION

However, just as start preparations are about to begin, the wind shifts to 190 degrees. This change causes the planned route to change as well. When the wind, which changed direction but not strength, settles at 190 degrees, the committee announces Route 3 from the MİYC routes: Keçi Island will be rounded.

Measurements taken until the start moment show that the wind is sufficient. All these efabalarla the time reaches 15:20.

CLASS FLAG BREAKS

A postponement is announced as one of the class flags breaks during the first start of ORC A-B-C.

A general recall is announced after the boats cut the line almost collectively early in the new start and occasional contact occurs.

ORC D-E-F-G execute their start at 15:45, and ORC A-B-C at 15:49.

ATTENTION WIND DROPPING

At this point the wind has dropped to around 5 knots.

The fleet is heading toward the back of Keçi Island at a slow pace.

As evening approaches, the wind gradually decreases and begins to vary according to position.

On the return from Keçi Island off İçmeler, leading groups are able to approach the finish line with spinnakers.

SLOWING FINISHES

Finishes are gradually slowing down and occurring one by one.

Some boats are unable to finish even with a 10-20 second margin, despite being within the time limit. As the last finishes are recorded, the wind drops to as low as 3 knots.

Meanwhile, ORC F-G classes are also declared abandoned due to insufficient wind.

At the end of a long day spent searching for wind and trying to establish course, the racers returning ashore head towards the event at the club facilities.

LEG 5AWARD CEREMONY / PLAQUES OF GRATITUDE

In the evening, the club garden is virtually hosting the closing ceremony of the winter trophy.

Open buffet refreshments and bar service are available to guests until late hours.

THOSE WITH GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS ON STAGE

Before the trophies of the 5th leg races find their owners, plaques of gratitude are being presented one by one to those who have served in club management for years and contributed to reaching today.

Finally, the 5th leg awards find their owners.

26 APRIL SUNDAY

Today, first the committee, then the fleet head out to the race course in the early hours. The goal: To find wind no matter what and to race as much as possible.

The heart desires this, but in the end, what Poseidon offers always prevails.

The sea is flat, like a mirror.

Warm weather, rain clouds above... With the sun showing its face from time to time between the clouds, there are people sunbathing and swimming.

WARNING ANNOUNCEMENT TO SWIMMERS

When there is no wind, the committee makes a warning announcement to swimmers due to the speedboats conducting measurements and rapidly changing positions.

Around 13:00, the wind entering the course brings smiles to the faces of the committee and competitors.

The wind blowing from the 240-290 degree range keeps changing direction this time. The committee boat determines its position accordingly.

Finally, the starts are given at 13:34. However, 6 minutes later, the wind shifts direction again. And what a shift it is.

And the committee, observing the principles of fairness, abandons the race.

The fleet waits for a while longer. During this time, the wind decreases further and rain clouds cover Marmaris.

When there is nothing left to do, the committee announces at 14:41 that no racing will take place today and expresses wishes to be together again next year at the winter trophy.

Returning to the harbor with mutual thank you announcements and proceeding to the trophy award ceremony.

TROPHY AWARD CEREMONY

As a result, in the 6th and final leg, conditions allow for only 1 race instead of the planned 5 races.

Thus, a total of 14 races take place across the 6 legs of the winter trophy. Discarding the worst race is also not possible.

Indeed, while following this trophy consisting of 6 legs, we observe that participation has increased both in number and quality, and that fast boats are more evenly matched with their competitors on this course. We witness in Marmaris that the decisions of both the club management and the race committee are effective in this outcome.

With this result, it is certain that next year's winter trophy will be much more exciting.

We wish for many more winter trophies without incident, in joy, and after 6 legs the overall results of the classes are;

All these results are crowned with trophies at the award ceremony that begins with the opening speech of President Bülent Çelik.

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