CFM-BAYK Winter Trophy 3rd Leg: Dramatic Racing in Bodrum's Stormy Conditions

The bad weather conditions that have been ongoing for days came to a head on the first day of the 3rd leg of the trophy.

The expected surprises came one after another on the Bodrum course where 56 boats were racing. The boats that made the first start did so in moments when weather conditions were in complete chaos. After the start procedures began, when the southwesterly wind brought rain to the start line, all hell broke loose, visibility was zero.

Especially when entering the last 4 minutes, just when "postponement" was expected, the waiting was in vain and the racing yachts found themselves on the course. Three minutes after the start, the rain subsided and gave way to the wind. With the strengthening wind at the windward start, the boats headed towards Kargı Island where they would make the turn with short tacks. While Arkas was leading the fleet by a clear margin, their rivals were trying to advance without letting the gap widen.

A bird's eye view 19 nautical mile course was being sailed for the finish that would take place in front of Bodrum, starting from Bodrum, returning around Kargı Island, and passing behind Kara Ada.

Meanwhile, with two consecutive starts given, the entire fleet began racing on the same course.

Half an hour after the first start, the westerly breeze wind intensified, reaching 35 knots in the squalls. If the expression fits, the surface of the sea resembled a cotton field. In this scene, both Bodrum Sea Rescue boats and Coast Guard were continuing their patrols here and there on the wide race course against possible adverse situations.

While the first severity of weather conditions lasted 20 minutes, visibility was periodically very reduced. Amidst all these developments, announcements began with race retirements, sail tears, and continued with the mast breaking of Alp Doğulu's MatCup (Karavida) racing in IRC A2. The consolation was that the loss was limited to the mast. In severe weather conditions and high waves, a broken mast could damage the boat at any moment.

With intensive announcements, the highest level of safety being provided, and boats putting aside their ambitions, no other unfortunate incident occurred.

As the boats returned to the marina, the wind had vented the days' fury, and the sun had already started to show its face through the gaps.

The racers began waiting, wondering "What will the weather be like tomorrow?"

After all, even Poseidon didn't know whom to please.

On Sunday, briefing started in brilliant weather. A sausage course would be applied. There would be lap differences for the classes.

When they went out to the course, clouds had besieged the distant island of Kos, rain was pouring down.

At the first start, while boats crowding at the same point on the line were colliding, scraping against the buoy had also begun.

The race started with similar scenes at the 2nd and 3rd starts. The 6-9 knot wind coming from 150 degrees was sufficient for the boats to start and race on the course.

The return buoy was 3.5 nautical miles away at a 120-degree angle from the start in front of Bodrum. The fleet leaders could complete the first lap in 1.5-2 hours. Three more laps were to be sailed. The wind gradually decreasing, changing direction, the fleet struggling to advance, led the race committee to shorten the course, but Poseidon had the final say: "That's all the wind from me."

And Abandoned.

With the available logistics, controlling very wide courses is good in nice weather, but what if...

Details of the news and rich visuals

In the April issue of YELKEN DÜNYASI.