FIRST TANGO IN THE STRAIT OF ÇEŞME

We were in Çeşme for the 1st Leg of the trophy, which took place on October 15-16, 2016.

The Çeşme course is a location for yacht races where wind is never lacking, and along with it, the waves are also quite considerable.

As we approached the days when the first leg of the 5-leg trophy would be raced, the forecasts from meteorological websites began to become clearer. Particularly on Saturday, October 15, it appeared that the weather would be rough. Naturally, since the wind had started the day before and was blowing relentlessly, the waves were also high.

When the traditional breakfast with simit was finished and the briefing began, it was revealed that 27 boats had registered. Çeşme Marina Manager Can AKALTAN, while giving his welcome speech to all racers, referees, and the organization, stated that "this and all future races will take place on the Çeşme course, and as Çeşme Marina, they will host all racing yachts free of charge during the race period." He noted that "they hope the number of competing boats will continue to increase, and that with this and similar events, they aim to promote the Northern Aegean."

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“We have a challenging course. I hope gentleman racers will do justice to this course. Our yacht races will continue with increasing participation in 2017 as well. We are proud to contribute to such an event.” he concluded.

 EAYK Commodore Akif SEZER stated; “They are pleased with the participation, and they are particularly honored that the club founders and former Commodore Mete TÜMAY, along with Emre DERMAN from TAYK with the yacht EXIT, will be participating in the trophy race.” Sezer also announced that the Trophy Start would be conducted by Osman ATASOY and Sibel KARASU.

Chief Umpire Eşref UZUN emphasized that harsh weather conditions were expected and that precautions should be taken accordingly. He announced that a total of 27 yachts in 6 classes would make a collective start, and that IRC 5 and Support classes would race on a different route compared to the other classes.

We were going to follow the race aboard the NICE sailing yacht belonging to Kemal OĞUL, which was assigned to the press. The waves were already saying "Hello" to those heading to the course right at the marina exit. The committee was setting up the course off Çiftlikköy. The race would be run on a triangular route with internal angles of 60 degrees. For this reason, the course would be set up paying attention to the Çeşme shallows, wrecks, and international waters. Right in the middle, Turkish and Greek Coast Guard vessels were patrolling.

Setting up the course was quite difficult, and the wind direction changes added to it made the committee's job even harder. As time progressed, the wind was getting stronger and the waves were rising. Especially at the location where the start line was, at depths of 14-20 meters, the waves coming from the deep waters of the Çeşme Strait were becoming quite steep at this point. As the start time approached, the wind was blowing from 360 degrees at around 18-22 knots. LADIES FIRST, racing in IRC 1 under the helm of Canan AYDEMİR, had her tiller rope break in these conditions. The crew, with emergency intervention, rigged a tiller and prevented damage to the boat and other fleet vessels. However, unable to start the race, they headed towards Çeşme Marina. Similarly, MARE, due to a crew member's health issue, and RENGARENK, due to a steering problem, were also unable to start and headed back to the marina.

The start, announced to be given at 12:00, could only be given at 13:06 after delays. With the start given by Osman ATASOY and Sibel KARASU, the fleet boats began racing in the Çeşme Strait. The wind was increasing as time progressed, reaching up to 33 Knots in squalls. While the wind was generally blowing at 22-27 Knots, wave heights had already begun to exceed 3 meters at the buoy turns. All crews, especially those on small boats, were racing with priority given to protecting themselves and their boats. In these harsh conditions, ATLANTIS tore her mainsail while tacking, ARNES's genoa halyard broke, RAIN experienced rudder problems, TRINITY had genoa issues, and XTREME headed to the marina due to a mainsail luff tape problem.

Despite all these incidents, as finishes were quickly taken and boats returned to the marina, TÜPRAŞ LEMON in IRC 1, BLUE MILES in IRC 2, CYGNUS in IRC 3, LADY SUN in IRC 4, ADA in IRC 5, and SMYRNA SAILING FİÇİ in the Support Class were the boats that left their competitors behind.

Following the harsh and exciting race day, at the cocktail party held at Çeşme Marina's VERANA, the experiences and all the difficulties gave way to laughter and happiness.

By this time, the wind had lost its strength and had already begun to decrease gradually.

Çeşme woke up to a calm day on Sunday, October 16th. Conditions completely opposite to the day before prevailed in the area. Indeed, the briefing announced that conditions would be much lighter and 2 races were planned.

The course was being set closer to the marina compared to the previous day's position. Only a sausage course would be used today. IRC 5 and Support classes would race a 3.2 nautical mile course as the crow flies, while other classes would sail 6.4 nautical miles.

The wind, which had shown its power on the course the day before, was being coy today. Course being set, no wind. Wind arriving, direction changing. New course again. We even witnessed boats going dead in the water off Çeşme. The wind that came gradually finally began to blow steadily on the course, and at 12:46, with winds around 5-7 knots, the start was given. ARNES and TÜPRAŞ LEMON were OCS (over early). The boats that were OCS refreshed their starts and also participated in the race within the fleet. The boats quickly heading toward the leeward mark were gaining height on the course with their tacks. By the time they reached the leeward mark, the wind had reached around 10-13 knots. During this time, TÜPRAŞ LEMON, which collided with ARNES, continued racing after completing a 720-degree penalty turn.

At the end of the 2nd race; LADIES FIRST in IRC 1, BLUE MILES in IRC 2, CYGNUS in IRC 3, VENTUS in IRC 4, ADA in IRC 5, and SMYRNA SAILING FIÇI in the Support Class were the boats that left their competitors behind.

At the end of the 2nd race, the Race Committee took into account the wind direction change and made the buoy adjustment before starting the start procedures. With the start given at 15:04, the 3rd race of the day's 2nd leg began. The wind continued to increase and decrease over time. RAIN abandoned the race due to a rudder failure. At the end of the 3rd race, which took place on the same course; ARNES in IRC 1, BLUE MILES in IRC 2, CYGNUS in IRC 3, LADY SUN in IRC 4, ADA in IRC 5, and SMYRNA SAILING FIÇI in the Support Class were the boats that left their competitors behind.

Osman ATASOY and Sibel KARASU, who were with the sailors throughout the races, said:

 "We witnessed and experienced a beautiful event. 27 boats participated in the race in Çeşme. We witnessed a family and friendship atmosphere at sea with families, young people, and university students. There was no ambition, so to speak. It was almost a gentlemanly event befitting the spirit of true sportsmanship. We started in strong weather and saw even heavier conditions. Despite that, they raced almost playfully and enjoyed it. Çeşme is an important place in terms of sailing. It was an event where we saw the sporting side of people who love living at sea. We hope its continuation will increase even moreHere is the translation of chunk 7/7 to English, preserving the : acağını umuyorum." they shared their views.

As we come to the end of the 1st Leg races, we wish that the successes in the remaining 4 legs of the trophy, which will continue until the end of the year, will continue to multiply in a manner befitting the Aegean, together with sportsmanship.