The Curtain Falls in Bodrum

The 7th Leg races took place on May 23-24. We are in Bodrum for the finale of fierce competition after 6 Legs of the Trophy.

The May wind is active again, the meteorology just doesn't hold up on the famous Bodrum racing course. It's possible to see weather conditions that are calm when predicted to blow, and vigorous when we say it will be calm. These conditions affect the race committee the most. Individual predictions come to the forefront, it's good if they're right, but what if they're not?

Saturday morning, May 23, the sea is flat as a pancake. The view from our hotel overlooking the race course is not encouraging for racing. At the briefing, Chief Race Officer Nihat YENEL talks about the difficulty of getting the predictions right, openly admitting " Whatever I think, the opposite happens ".

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When the course was set, 46 boats were waiting for the start procedures to begin. Today, all groups will complete the race with a start off Bodrum, leaving Karaada and Kargı Island to starboard, and finishing off Bodrum. There is virtually no wind. It blows one moment and stops the next. A long, risky route for such a day. The start procedures expected to take place at 12:00 are delayed until 13:15. Meanwhile, although wind sufficient to allow starting is occasionally reached, starts cannot be given.

At 13:35, the first start is given to the IRC A-O and IRAC A-1 groups. Wind from 160 degrees at 5-6 knots. A dull, lifeless start on a rather wide start line does not provide us with the images we desire. We are following this group on the course with the press boat. While the fleet is progressing very slowly, at 13:44 the starts are given to the IRC A-2 and IRC A-3 groups. The 3rd start is given at 13:48 to the IRC B-1, IRC B-2, and Support classes. The widely scattered classes are struggling through a forced race with wind that just won't pick up on the extensive course. Tactical battles inevitably begin. Between Karaada and the mainland, catching wind positions and not losing the way with tacks gain importance. Those making fewer tacks with long legs approaching the north of Karaada manage to move ahead. In the class we're following, results are down to millimeter precision. The competition between IRC A-0 and IRC A-1 boats becomes evident. The wind that has been blowing at 5-8 knots until now tells the fleet " that's all I've got " once Karaada is rounded, even the deployed spinnakers cannot help the boats' progress and appear in the footage as collapsed spinnakers. Race committee boats are taking measurements on the course. The fleet leaders heading toward Kargı Island have already fallen into open waters. Just as the leaders moved quite far from Karaada, the Race Committee shortens the course at 15:33. For IRC A-0 and IRC A-1 groups, finishes will be taken at Kargı Island. The finish line for other classes is moved to the north of Karaada. Unfortunately, all these efforts don't help the fleet to race and take finishes. On a windless, hot day, finishes of the hours-long race are taken very late. Many boats decide they won't be able to finish and abandon the race before sunset. Due to the race running so long, the 6th Leg awards ceremony that was supposed to take place is postponed to the trophy closing night.At the end of a hot, windless day, results emerge that will affect the overall standings of many boats.

At the end of the day; in IRC A 0 REANULT FAAR AWAY SAILING TEAM, in IRC A 1 ACADIA 4 SALADU DU CHEF, in IRC A 2 MATADOR, in IRC A 3 CMS DÖNENCE, in IRC B 1 JOY DENİZ CADILARI, in IRC B 2 ARSIZ are the boats leaving their competitors behind.

On Sunday, May 24th, the anticipated wind graces the race course. The entire fleet is waiting on the course for the start line to be set. I will be following the race from the boat of JOY DENİZ CADILARI team in the IRC B-1 group.p>

Wind is blowing from 160 degrees at 8-11 Knots. Rankings in the groups can change at any moment, there are very delicate balances, all boats are tense. This sensitivity also exists in the IRC B-1 group I'm in. Let's see what happens in the end. Start sequences will be applied as they were yesterday. IRC B-1, IRC B-2 and Support classes will race 2 laps on the course, other groups 3 laps. At 11:19 the first groups start, followed by other groups and the course comes alive. There is no drop in wind strength, on the contrary, it's even increasing slowly. At times it reaches 16-17 knots. With the entire fleet racing together on the short course, beautiful scenes and interesting competitions emerge. Right of way rules are being used by boats that have lost their chance against those playing for positions, sportsmanship is at its peak in every class! The short course finishes also come early.

At the end of the day's first race, in IRC A O ARKAS-FLYING BOX, in IRC A 1 DEFİNE, in IRC A 2 SHAK SHUKA, in IRC A 3 CMS-DÖNENCE, in IRC B 1 JOY DENİZ CADILARI, in IRC B 2 ARSIZ are the boats that left their competitors behind

The starts of the second race also begin in the same order. The start moments become intense with tactical battles. While ambition reaches the ceiling, risks also approach the limit. Dangerous crossings and attempts to claim right of way make things increasingly difficult in winds reaching up to 22 knots. The ladies' boat I'm aboard is racing relentlessly. Their eyes are solely on their competitors and chronometers. Not a sound comes from the boat except the water rushing by. The girls are running the system like clockwork. In this final race, our group will round the buoys for 3 laps. In the intensifying race, beautiful scenes flow effortlessly into our lens. In this final race, boats with superior spinnaker deployment and retrieval skills gain an advantage over their competitors.

The wind reaches 16-20 knots and the sea is choppy. Since the wind direction hasn't changed throughout the day, the teams have already memorized what to do according to positions. Movements become faster, boats sail faster. Silence prevails on the JOY boat I'm aboard. Everyone is performing their duty and not a single competitor is overlooked. All boats complete their finishes with spinnakers, delivering a trophy finale worthy of the Bodrum Course.

At the end of the day's second race; in IRC A O ARKAS-FLYING BOX, in IRC A 1 BODRUM MİLTA MARİNA-KEYİF 60, in IRC A 2 SHAK SHUKA, in IRC A 3 CMS DÖNENCE, in IRC B 1 JOY DENİZ CADILARI, in IRC B 2 FIRST are the boats leaving their competitors behind.

The trophy closing ceremony inside the marina in the evening is quite crowded. After the 6th and 7th leg award ceremonies, it's time for the Trophy Awards.

In IRC A O ARKAS-FLYING BOX, in IRC A 1 DERE CONSTRACTION, in IRC A 2 MATADOR, in IRC A 3 CMS DÖNENCE, in IRC B 1 JOY DENİZ CADILARI, in IRC B 2 ICEBERK-ICE YACHTING become the owners of the cups.

The winter trophy, which started in cold and harsh winter conditions and ended at the beginning of summer, concludes with the hope that everything experienced will serve to raise the bar even higher for the next trophy. Let's wish for many more trophies where gentlemanliness, sportsmanship and love make the headlines, free from ambitions.

OUR NOTE

There is something that catches our attention in these trophies held under the name of winter trophy. The trophies named winter start in the middle of winter and end at the end of May. In other words, winter and summer are mixed as seasons. When we think of winter, November-April comes to mind. In these trophies whose finals come in summer months, team deficiencies are noticeable in the last month, as professional sailors are generally either in season preparations or at sea. Similarly, many of those involved in the organization are also professional sailors and are experiencing the busy season start. Another important issue is that the transportation and accommodation costs for competitors coming to the regions from outside do not quite resemble winter during these months and are quite costly.