INTERNATIONAL RACE ON THE AEGEAN'S HARSH FACE

While spring, almost summer weather prevails in our country, we are witnessing a sudden harsh change in weather conditions. The effects of this change were being felt in İzmir as well while coming to Marmaris. I said "Marmaris won't be this bad" but apparently it has a harsher, colder side as well.

This event, organized for the 12th time, is being held by MIYC with Nurolbank as main sponsor.

It is a quite comprehensive organization with an extensive race committee and international protest committee members. The goal is to show the region's tourism potential and natural beauties to visiting yachtsmen. Thiscompetitors will be transported to various points of the region via different routes.

39 boats from 13 countries have registered. There are over 400 participants. All teams are foreign.

The race program and routes announced months in advance are set. However, weather conditions don't recognize the schedule. Considering the changing conditions, the program is being revised for a safe and healthy organization.

The Marmaris–Körmen route planned for the first day of the event looks quite severe in meteorological data. This situation means that winds above 20 knots combined with squalls could challenge the fleet. Therefore, it is decided to implement the Marmaris–Yılancık Island–Marmaris route for the first day.

This weather system, which has been effective from the North Aegean onwards, weakens relatively east of Bozukkale. The Committee prefers to evaluate this region for the first day (Monday, May 4th).

The Fleet;

Tuesday, May 5th: Marmaris–Datça

Wednesday, May 6th: Datça–Körmen

Thursday, May 7th: Körmen–Orhaniye

Friday, May 8th: Orhaniye–Marmaris

will follow these routes.

At the beginning of the season, the most beautiful tourism spots of the region will be visited.

The boat mooring sponsor of the organization in Marmaris is Albatros Marina. It welcomes boats and racers with its renewed appearance.

On Sunday evening, May 3rd, a briefing and reception are being held in the open area of Albatros Marina. The weather is rainy and windy.

Following the welcoming speech of MIYC President Bülent Çevik, Chief Umpire Ezgi Kalaycı introduces the race and protest committees, and presents the routes in detail.

At the end of the night, Ezgi Kalaycı's birthday is celebrated with a cake brought to the area.

We are staying overnight on the boat at Albatros Marina. Throughout the night, we try to sleep with the sound the wind makes in the rigging. It has gotten quite cold. Those with heaters are lucky; such cold weather is not typical for Marmaris at this time of year.

The starting line has been set up right across from the marina.

The continuously blowing wind has settled at 330 degrees, blowing in the range of 12–22 knots. All preparations are proceeding as planned. Start time is 11:00.

39 boats are maneuvering around the committee boat before the start. The wind is ideal, the course is ready.

The fleet will start the race with two starts. Following the start, there will be a turning buoy, then exit to the outer harbor; Kargataşı Island and then Yılancık Island return with finish in the inner harbor. Total distance approximately 24 nautical miles. Miyc Route 2.

Starts are given as planned. Although there are a few early starts (premature starts) in the first start, the second start is clean.

The fleet is moving quite fast with the effect of the wind. Conditions are serious; life jacket use is mandatory. All crews are extremely prepared both technically and equipment-wise. At the same time, a visually impressive scene is emerging.

No problems are experienced at the exit to the outer harbor after the buoy turn. The wind is literally driving the fleet.

We are also following the race with a fast press boat. At the same time, we are watching for the right moment to launch the drone. However, catching up with the fleet is almost impossible.

After the Kargataşı Island turn, the fleet spreads completely to the open sea. The deployed spinnakers get smaller as they move away.

The fleet is gradually fragmenting. This separation becomes particularly evident after the turn at Yılancık Island. Now we can only watch battles of at most two, occasionally three boats side by side.

The race that started fast is completing at the same fast pace. The wind is not letting up.

Let's see what tomorrow will show us?

Today the weather is more moderate compared to yesterday's conditions. The organization program has a Marmaris–Datça route. Approximately 50 nautical miles as the crow flies.

The race committee has set the start time at 11.00. When we head out to the course, an unstable wind between 300–350 degrees prevails. It's blowing in the 14–20 knot range and occasional squalls are affecting the start area.

The committee announces that the start will be given with a downwind course. There is no turning buoy. Conditions are again harsh; life jackets aremandatory use.

The fleet heads out to the course with the start given at 11:10. Again, two starts are applied. During the second start, severe downpours significantly affect the boats and balloons (spinnakers).

The entire fleet proceeds collectively toward the outer harbor under spinnaker. Meanwhile, the ferry operating the Marmaris-Rhodes route passes slowly through the boats.

Upon reaching the outer harbor, small separations begin. The leading boats open the gap and round Kadırga Cape, then the entire fleet follows the same route.

From this point onwards, small differences give way to more distinct intervals.

The fleet continues racing on a more open line towards Rhodes Island. After passing off Çiftlik Bay, the wind increases noticeably. After passing Bozukkale, it settles at levels of 20–24 knots.

Off Symi Island, the wavelength also increases. The boats keeping a course close to Rhodes are now separated from each other and advancing at high speed.

After passing Symi, when reaching off Datça, the waves rise even higher along with the wind. The fleet first approaches the Datça coastline, then heads towards the finish line set offshore.

Wind, foaming sea, high waves and racing boats... Teams competing fiercely on a difficult but extremely enjoyable course are mooring to their assigned places at Datça Marina after the finish.

At night, Datça's streets and venues come alive with approximately 400 racers. This organization, which aims to promote tourism, continues to progress towards its goals.

The wind that was effective throughout the night continues to blow without slowing down in the morning hours. This is Datça.

The race will start again at 11:00. The entire fleet is ready. The committee is taking measurements. Wind is blowing from 300–350 degrees at 12–15 knots.

Use of life jackets is mandatory. The intermittent showers remind us, as if saying "don't forget me."

The fleet will head to the course with two downwind starts. The approximately 38 nautical mile Datça–Körmen leg will be raced.

Following the starts given with balloons (spinnakers), the fleet is heading towards Inceburun almost stuck together.

At times the boats are sailing side by side, nearly close enough to make contact. However, when reaching the vicinity of Kargı Bay, those sailing close to shore experience a disadvantage compared to those sailing offshore.

Blocks are stillde ilerleyen filo, Sivri Burun Feneri'ni de bu düzen içinde geçiyor.

The next target is to reach Knidos by passing off Hayıtbükü, Mesudiye, and Palamutbükü.

The wind dropping off Hayıtbükü is challenging the vessels sailing with spinnakers. The choices of the leading vessels serve as reference for those behind. This situation causes the fleet to head toward more open routes and gradually separate from each other.

Off Palamutbükü, the wind strengthens again and the fleet finds relief. The waves are relatively small.

The Knidos area is passed without problems with the westerly wind. However, when the fleet sets course for Körmen, the wind weakens again.

Boats sailing with spinnakers spread over a wide area and the distances between them gradually increase.

The leading boats approaching the finish line set up at the entrance of Kairos Marina find the wind again. In fact, the broaches experienced after the finish cause the sails to remain unable to be gathered for a long time.

As the wind increases its effect in all areas, the fleet crosses the finish line with a comfortable sail and takes their places at Kairos Marina.

Easier without yesterday's wind and wavesa race is taking place in this stage.

In the evening, the trophies of the 3-day race find their owners in the ceremony area.

On the fourth day of the race, meteorology sites show that the wind will drop. The planned course is a long route from Körmen to Orhaniye.

Therefore, the committee announces that the race start will be given at 12:00 off Knidos. The fleet heads to Knidos by motor in the early hours of the morning.

The sea is flat calm; there's no trace of wind. The fleet is proceeding in a scattered formation.

The committee is in position off Knidos. The starting buoys are anchored at depths exceeding 80 meters. For this reason, the committee boat cannot anchor.

Today the race will begin with an upwind start. Again, two separate starts are being given.

When the scheduled start time arrives, the wind is blowing from 160 degrees at 5-6 knots. After the first group's start, there are fouls at the second start.

The fleet attempting to race on the course is practically trying to crawl. The wind is quite insufficient in all areas. It's not always possible to see such calm conditions in the Knidos area.

Meteorology says the wind will come after 14:00.

The fleet has completely separated from each other, spread over a wide area. There are differences in wind strength depending on positions.

About an hour after the start, the wind freshens. The separated fleet starts moving again but the boats are now in quite an open area. Some are even heading south of Symi Island.

When İnceburun Lighthouse is passed and Datça offshore is reached, the wind rises to 12-15 knot levels.

Boats advancing with spinnakers are trying to reach the finish with their gennakers. The wind coming from the west is starting to raise small ripples.

Around 18:30, the leaders of the fleet start crossing the finish line one by one. Boats are arriving at wide intervals at the line set up in the south of Hisarönü Gulf.

After all finishes are recorded, the boats moored at Martı Marina gather at the ceremony area to receive the day's trophies.

As a long day, mostly windless and hot, comes to an end, calculations start being made for tomorrow's Orhaniye–Marmaris course to be sailed.

Today is the final race day of the 12th Loryma Cup event. A long course between Orhaniye-Marmaris will be sailed. Meteorology websites show that different conditions will be experienced at different locations on the course.

No trace of yesterday's sunny weather. The weather is cloudy, hazy and overcast.

The committee has taken its position off Martı Marina, boats have gathered but the wind doesn't seem to be coming.

Without wasting time, the committee sets off to search for the start line to the west, in a location that receives wind. The entire fleet follows suit.

The aim is to save time, to align the start with the hours when the wind picks up, and also to get closer to Marmaris.

The start line is being set up in the middle sections of Hisarönü Gulf, north of Uzun Island.

Deep areas again like yesterday. Two buoys mark the line. Depth is over 65 meters.

Wind is blowing at 7 knots from 230-240 degrees. The fleet starts the race with two clean starts. As they progress west into the gulf, the wind slightly increases reaching 9 knots.

The boats approach Atabol Point where they will turn south with tacks. When reaching this location, the wind starts to drop. The boats gradually deploy their spinnakers but making way is not that easy.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard boat operating in the area is stopping and inspecting cruising tour boats one by one.

The committee boat leading the fleet is checking the Rhodes Channel wind at Ala Burun location.

There is almost no wind in the area from Atabol Point to Ala Burun. In the north, light ripples are visible off Datça but this is of no benefit to the fleet.

The boats that occasionally enter Yeşilova Bay with spinnakers cannot find the wind they are looking for here either. We are following this slow progress from the press boat.

Kadir Pirasoğlu, Editorial Director of Motorboat Magazine who is among us, says he can race the boats going at this speed by swimming and the practice begins.

Kadir swims 1,350 meters alongside the press boat in 40 minutes. During this time, he completes the course without giving way to the boats approaching slowly with spinnakers.

As the wind picks up slightly, boats enter Rhodes Channel after rounding Ala Cape.

Routes are set right through the middle of the channel. Because even if minimal, there is wind here.

The fleet is highly spread out and the boats have moved considerably away from our coasts.

The struggle with winds varying by location continues until Kadırga Cape where the finish line is set.

Except for a few retirements, the entire fleet completes their finishes by 22:30.