BODRUM WEATHER CLEARS THE WAY FOR RACING

The CFM-BAYK Winter Trophy's first two legs couldn't catch favorable conditions at all on the Bodrum Course, but this time it delivered a beautiful leg as if saying " Enough is Enough, Where Were We? "

For the scheduled race days of February 27-28, meteorology was generally making hopeless forecasts for racing again. The situation was not encouraging and nobody wanted the " Whatever Happens, Let's Have a Race " slogan and its implementation (generally).

At the briefing held on Monday, February 27, Chief Race Officer Hulki ORUZ began his remarks by saying, " There's nothing to be done. According to the reports we've received and measurements we've taken, the wind is low again ". Just above the start lower limit would suffice, apparently.

It was announced that an Offshore route was planned for the first day, and a three-buoy race was planned for the second day with the wind expected to increase. Mention was made of course shortening and mark changes according to the possibility of variations in wind strength and direction. Additionally, he stated that wind measurements were being taken on the course, and the race committee boat would cast off from Bodrum Milta Marina if conditions were suitable for racing. Planned start time was 11:30.

All eyes on the race committee boat, all ears on VHF 72 for the " Come on then, let's go " announcement. Of course, the announcement wasn't in that form, but 54 boats took their positions on the course.

Wind from 200 degrees at 4-6 Knots. Anyone seeing 7 Knots will tell each other. The start line was set up and procedures began. Today, the modified BAYK (B-3) course will be sailed. Start from Bodrum, Köçek Island, Çelebi Island front buoy to starboard, Kurt Burnu front buoy to port, finish off Bodrum. Bird's eye view 16 nautical miles.

Four separate starts will be given at ten-minute intervals. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard boat right in the middle of the start line is being warned by the race committee.

The first start is at 11:30 AM for IRC B and Support Group boats (20 Boats). With the second start, IRC A 3 and A 4 boats (13 Boats) start. MNG KARGO-ALTO and AURORA X are foredeck. The third start is executed by IRC A 1 and IRC A 2 groups (13 Boats). TRUVA, SKYMARINE AQAVIT and DERE CONSTRUCTION-ANYWAY are foredeck. As the boats that complete their start begin racing on the course, at 12:00 PM the final start is given to the 8 boats of IRC A 0 group.

The wind is not increasing, in fact it occasionally decreases after Kurt Burnu. The boats are advancing very slowly. We are following the race from the press boat in the Kurt Burnu area. Meanwhile, FARRFARA racing in IRC A 0 group and SINGLESTAR racing in IRC A 2 are withdrawing from the race. The competition between groups is mostly about tactics to take advantage of the weak wind. Between 14:24-16:46, finishes are recorded and boats head for the marina. Because after this time, there is no possibility of holding another race.

At the end of the race, the boats leaving their competitors behind are: RENAULT FARRAWAY in IRC A O, MAD X-YB GAYRİMENKUL in IRC A 1, TRUVA in IRC A 2, PALMARİNA-TOKA YELKEN in IRC A 3, MNG KARGO-ALTO in IRC A 4, RAIN in IRC B 1, BLUES 1-ÇORLU SAILING TEAM in IRC B 2, and FİÇİ in the Support Class.

At 18:00 at Marina Yacht Club, the 2nd Leg awards find their owners.

On Sunday, the wind will pick up and it's the buoy race. Strength is required, tactics are required.

These races bring vibrancy to Bodrum in the winter months. At least 300 people attend these events. Together with the locals in Bodrum, 500-600 people. Restaurants, bars, and accommodation facilities are overflowing, transportation vehicles are buzzing. Those who stay in Bodrum on Monday will better understand this impact or difference.

Sunday morning, February 28, no briefing. The race committee is planning to hold 3 buoy races. But since the start time is after 11:00, we don't know how it will unfold.

When we got out on the course, the wind had increased compared to earlier, as expected. It looks like it will increase further. A little delay, the course is already set up. An offset buoy race will be held. Start off Bodrum, the windward buoy anchored at 140 degrees, 1.4 nautical miles offshore will be rounded. IRC B and Support classes will race 2 laps, IRC A classes will race 3 laps. Wind is blowing 7-11 knots at the start moments.

Starts are being given between 11:20-11:50. The wind is gradually increasing. Small waves have already started to appear.

We are following the race from the port side buoy first. The starting order is the same again. With this order, the fleet is racing almost collectively and the visual materials are becoming more beautiful. Slow boats start ahead, fast ones catch up. That moment's view is simply delightful. If only the number of starts could be reduced...

ZAGUN is the first to round the port buoy followed by NİL-MİLTA BODRUM MARİNA and RAIN. Meanwhile, the NİL-MİLTA BODRUM MARİNA team was established this year and seems to be developing. Why do we say this? We have always seen that marinas establish such teams but do not follow their success graphs over time, and teams whose success line drops due to lack of interest evaporate. We hope that Milta Bodrum Marina General Manager Ömer Karacalar, whose positive ambition we know closely, will not give up on this matter.

The course is presenting us with very beautiful images. The competition is showing itself in all groups. Especially the IRC A class boats are racing board to board, with spinnakers going into each other.

Sir, there is a 10-minute rule that is particularly burning most of the IRC B class boats. Either there is an error in the classifications or in the rule, we don't know. According to the 10-minute rule, boats must finish within 10 minutes at the latest from the first boat that finishes in the same class. For example, IRC B class boats will sail 2 laps around the course, which is 6 Nautical Miles as the crow flies. From any perspective, in an 8-Mile race, you need to finish within 10 minutes after the first boat finishes. Otherwise...

And many boats cannot complete the race due to this rule.

At the end of the race, the boats leaving their competitors behind were FARRFARA in IRC A O, DEFİNE in IRC A 1, TRUVA in IRC A 2, SHAK SUHUKA in IRC A 3, ISKORPIT-UK SAILS in IRC A 4, ZAGUN in IRC B 1, BLUES 1-ÇORLU SAILING TEAM in IRC B 2, and NİL-MİLTA BODRUM MARİNA in the Support Class.

As the starting procedures for the day's second race began, the wind started blowing from 120 degrees at 8-15 knots and high clouds covered the course. The course remained the same. The windward mark was moved to 120 degrees, wind increasing. Starts will be in the same order. Lap counts are the same as in the previous race.

This time we'll be viewing the race from the start line position. We'll also be able to capture the turns and finishes. We're witnessing perfect starts. MELTEM-DENİZ CADILARI racing in IRC B 1 has a false start. The race that started fast is continuing at a very high speed. The mark roundings at our location are spectacular. IF YOU HAVE A SPINNAKER, YOU HAVE PROBLEMS - to the extent that it puts those who let their guard down in difficulty. Those who drop their spinnaker and switch to genoa before reaching the mark have no issues. Those who don't compromise on speed generally have problems. The Bodrum coastal course where the race takes place is known as a location that shows all the whims of the wind. Especially when the winds coming between Karaada and the mainland intensify, they can shift to different angles. Charlie everywhere, so to speak. Especially boats approaching the mark we're at with spinnakers and coming into the rounding, if they don't collect their spinnakers beforehand, experience difficulties during the turn. Who are they? We don't like gossip, look at the footage and you'll understand.Thankfully, they also reminded us of the late İbo and his song " I Had Balloons ".

Wind rose to 22 knots, many boats experiencing spinnaker and genoa problems. Those wrapping spinnakers around genoas, those getting spinnakers wrapped around forestays...

At the end of the day's 2nd race, the boats leaving their rivals behind are ARKAS-FLYINGBOX in IRC A O, DEFİNE in IRC A 1, TEKNO BARISOL KEYİF 60 in IRC A 2, SHAK SUHUKA in IRC A 3, ISKORPIT-UK SAILS in IRC A 4, ZAGUN in IRC B 1, BLUES 1-ÇORLU SAILING TEAM in IRC B 2, and NİL-MİLTA BODRUM MARİNA in the Support Class.

Those finishing are asking; "Is there a 3rd race?" There is. But it couldn't be realized. Time didn't allow it.

As a result; we're leaving behind summer-like sunny Bodrum, with its light, gentle, moderate and fierce winds, and a regatta week full of protests.