SIĞACIK COURSE BECOMES ACTIVE

We are in Sığacık for the 4th leg of the trophy to be raced on April 2-3.

Weather reports had been showing for a week that there would be no wind on Saturday and strong wind on Sunday.

On Friday, arriving at Sığacık and watching the wind from a hotel overlooking the race course, I witness that the meteorological forecasts have changed somewhat; there could be racing on both days.

At the briefing on Saturday morning, April 2, EAYK's new commodore Akif Sezer begins his speech by first talking about the wind; “Maybe today, but definitely racing on Sunday” 

At a widely attended briefing held in front of the club office, Akif Sezer announces that boats in the Support class can now compete for a maximum of 1 year. He states that a new practice class has been opened for boats newly transitioning to the IRC class, and they can compete in this class until autumn. Of course, there is no objection to those who wish to transition to IRC and race in their actual classes starting in their own classes, and those who prefer this have already started racing in these classes. At the same time, a rule that was implemented in Bodrum races will also be initiated here. Other boats in the same class as the finishing boat must complete the finish within 15 minutes at the latest. The rule that was 10 minutes in Bodrum will be applied as 15 minutes here. 

Although the race committee says “Wind is insufficient, you may wait ashore,” the yachts take their positions on the course together with the committee boat.

Of course, witnessing this desire, Poseidon sends a light breeze to the race course. Start procedures begin with winds around 6-7 knots from 200 degrees. 24 boats in 6 classes will make a mass start. The race, which will take place on a triangular course in Sığacık Bay, starts at 13:05.  The wind allows the start but remains fickle afterward. It drops and rises intermittently. The atmosphere on the course is almost like summer has arrived. The light southwesterly breeze has significantly increased the temperature. Finishes are taken following sweet tactical maneuvers. 

At the end of Race 1; 

In IRC 1, GARANTİ SAİLİNG-LEMON, 

In IRC 2, AYK-BLUE MİLES, 

In IRC 3, VENTUS, 

In IRC 4, FARMER,

In IRC 4 Sub-Group, HALF LİFE,

In the Support Group, FIÇI are the boats that leave their competitors behind.

After Race 1, the wind drops significantly. The southwesterly wind will blow from the north tomorrow. Meanwhile, it needs to take a bit of a breather and change direction. There is a brief wait, and due to insufficient wind, the day's 2nd Race cannot be held, and the return to Teos Marina is made.

At 18:00, the EAYK management organized a fish party in a beautiful venue inside Sığacık Castle. A magnificent gathering within the restored historical texture. We are experiencing what befits the Aegean. Racers who came together at the event, which lasted until late hours, are discussing Sunday. There is wind and it will blow well too. The Ankara Yelken Kulübü and sailing school boats, who came from Ankara with 3 boats to participate in the trophy, are very happy. Not being able to race after coming from far away for the trophy is unfortunate, especially for them. But Poseidon generally doesn't send them back empty-handed.

On Sunday, April 3rd, the race committee has planned 2 races. For this reason, the briefing starts early. There is no 15-minute rule today. The wind is making itself felt even inside the marina. The bay has started to form whitecaps. An offset sausage course will be sailed in both races. 

The northerly wind makes its presence felt right at the marina exit. The weather will be harsh, the "Yankee" flag is set, and the announcement has been made. The wind occasionally produces squalls. When the start procedures begin, it is blowing between 17-20 knots from 330 degrees. The race committee starts the race at 11:15. Although the mass start presents tough scenes, the race begins without any incidents. Some boats taking port tack starts contrary to the general starboard tack also do not cause any problems. We say it doesn't cause problems because the start line is quite narrow. When it's like that, the visuals become excellent. The entire fleet races towards the windward mark located near the Sığacık Harbor exit. The majority rounds the windward mark with 2 tacks on the course. While the competitions at mark roundings are captured by our cameras, boats that separate from each other during the 2nd lap pass in front of us with individual scenes. The weather is literally hazy, the wind drops and rises. 

At the end of the 2nd Race; 

In IRC 1 LADİES FİRST, 

In IRC 2 AYK-BLUE MİLES, 

In IRC 3 NİCE, 

In IRC 4 FARMER,

In IRC 4 Subgroup MİRANDA,

In Support Group KARCA are the boats leaving their competitors behind.

After the race finishes, the weather becomes even harsher. While the boats that finished quickly are waiting at the start area, 2 crew members from GARANTİ SAİLİNG-LEMON fall overboard and are immediately recovered by their own means. However, the team cannot participate in the 3rd race and heads back to the marina. Similarly, VENTUS, whose genoa tore, and RÜZGAR, whose mainsail tore after the 1st race, also head back to the marina. 

Meanwhile, QUATTRO, which experienced rudder problems, resolves the issue and start procedures begin.

The wind is blowing from the same direction at 22-24 knots. At 13:03, the 2nd start of the day is given, but due to four or five boats being over the line early, the race committee makes a general recall.

With the start at 13:15, the fleet begins racing on the Sığacık course in increasingly harsh conditions.

After the race starts, the wind drops for about 15 minutes at one point, but then freshens again, setting the stage for tough competition.

Although ARMADOR tears its mainsail on the final rounding of the windward mark, it doesn't give up on completing the race.

At the end of the 3rd Race; 

In IRC 1 LADİES FİRST, 

In IRC 2 AYK-BLUE MİLES, 

In IRC 3 NİCE, 

In IRC 4 KAİROS,

In IRC 4 Sub-Group MİRANDA,

In Support Group FIÇI are the boats leaving their rivals behind.

At the award ceremony held in front of the EAYK Office at the end of all races, the trophies of the 4th Leg races find their owners.

At the end of the 4th Leg of the Winter Trophy consisting of 7 Legs, overall;

In IRC 1 LADİES FİRST, 

In IRC 2 AYK-BLUE MİLES, 

In IRC 3 NİCE, 

In IRC 4 FARMER,

In IRC 4 Sub-Group MİRANDA,

In Support Group FIÇI are the boats holding the leadership in their groups.

The 5th Leg of the Trophy will be sailed on April 16-17 again on the Sığacık Course.