Fierce Competition at Marmaris Regatta

We are in Marmaris to follow the 2nd Leg races of the winter trophy, which is held under the main sponsorship of ERGO and organized by MIYC, consisting of 6 Legs.

The Marmaris course is a safe course with different options according to all weather conditions. MIYC has determined different routes according to every wind condition and compiled them into a booklet.

At the briefing held on Saturday morning, January 28, Chief Umpire Can Giray announced that they have planned a total of three races for the 2nd leg, with two races on Saturday and one race on Sunday. Routes will be determined and announced on the course.

Since the IRC measurements have been completed, the 26 boats that registered have now been divided into 4 groups. The wind in the region is at levels that will provide proper racing conditions for Saturday.

The committee deemed it appropriate to hold two races on a windy day. On Sunday, the wind will change direction and it's uncertain what will happen. In other words, it may not blow with sufficient strength during race hours.

When heading out to the course, the "Yankee" flag is on the halyard on the Race Committee boat, meaning life jacket use is mandatory. The wind is blowing from 325 degrees at 16 knots. 

The weather is very cold. You know when they say "it's cutting," this is even worse. I don't know if Marmaris has ever seen such cold weather, but at least I haven't. The northerly winds are blowing icy air into the region and consequently onto the course.

1st leg. At the start moment, the catamaran referee boat (Catch Up), injured as a result of a boat collision, is heading towards Yalancı Boğaz. With buoys on it, boats behind it, flags. The 26 boats that will race are following them. I love this view. Just like a mother and her young. 

Of course, everyone is curious about the course. After all, each boat has its habit and advantage of sticking to a route that suits them. Upwind, downwind, beam reach... Which one will be predominant, we wonder if it will be announced. The committees want to evaluate the parameters carefully considering all these, and have fair races. No one's right should be violated.

It's literally called "Think a thousand times, implement once," there is no "Start Over if it doesn't work." 

The course is being set up, the route is being announced. Everything is running smoothly. All groups will race on the same route. First 1 triangle, followed by 2 sausage courses, a bird's-eye distance of 8 nautical miles will be sailed, inside the bay.

The first start is given to IRC 1 and 2 groups. ALEXSANDRA leads off. At this time, the wind is blowing at 16-18 knots. Following this group's upwind sail towards the turning buoy in front of Marmaris, the start is given to IRC 3 and IRC 4 groups.

Start moments are our favorite times among the scenes we watch. The boats appear clustered together. These are the moments when the side-by-side battle is most intense. However, the start is given for this group but the boats are far behind the start line. The wind suddenly drops to 6 knots, surprising the boats that positioned themselves on the line according to the previously strong wind. They are almost forced to start but while passing by the referee boat in a block formation, a collision occurs between 2 boats. 

The collision also damages the referee boat, just like on the first leg. Boat owner Klaus OTLES is stunned, CATCH UP has received another wound. "Those coming are hitting, those going are hitting, will I be able to complete the trophy without taking even bigger damage?" he must be thinking. CORNELIAN-ODTU racing in IRC 3 Group and ATILLA 2 racing in IRC 4 group, who caused the collision, are penalized by the protest committee of course.

The wind follows a very variable course throughout the race. As the boats approach the turning buoy in front of Marmaris, it drops to 7 knots and strengthens again. 

At the end of the 1st race,

In IRC 1 Group GOBLIN 3-CANGRUP SİGORTA,

In IRC 2 Group HAYTA,

In IRC 3 Group BOOMERANG UK SAIL and

In IRC 4 Group BLUE BIRD 2-ERGO were the boats leaving their competitors behind.

At the end of the race, while the committee caught the wind, they quickly began preparations for the planned 2nd race. The wind is blowing from 305 degrees at 10 knots. All groups will race on a course with Marmaris inner harbor start, Kargıtaşı Island turn and 2 buoy turns in Marmaris inner harbor, 14 nautical miles as the crow flies.

The starts are given one after another without losing time and the boats run toward the strait with the strengthening wind. Despite no significant changes in wind strength, light squalls off İçmeler entrance and off Turunç allow the boats to reach Kargıtaşı Island faster.

Boats approaching each other at the exit from Marmaris inner harbor drift apart over time. When they re-enter the inner harbor, round the buoys and approach the finish, they generally come one by one.

At the end of the 2nd race,

In IRC 1 Group LEMON,

In IRC 2 Group HAYTA,

In IRC 3 Group BOOMERANG UK SAIL and

In IRC 4 Group MIRABELLA were the boats leaving their competitors behind. 

The traditional prize ceremony for the previous leg took place at MIYC facilities. While the boats that earned prizes in the 1st Leg races received their awards, beer and doner kebab service was provided to participants. At the same time, images captured by journalist Selçuk EKEN's lens were being displayed on the big screen.

A completely different atmosphere prevailed in Marmaris on Saturday morning, January 29. The wind that would shift from north to south gave breath to the atmosphere. The temperature had returned to normal, and the sky covered with small clouds was not withholding its light from the course.

Today the race committee planning a single race and 26 boats were subjected to Poseidon's patience test on a flat calm sea. Wait, wait, wait a little more. The committee boat relocated a few times. Meanwhile, some boats sailing at full hoist in light conditions, seemed to be giving the message "The weather is now suitable for racing."

As the wind settled from the south, race preparations began on the Yalancı Boğaz side. During this time, we witnessed dense smoke rising from the shore. The smoke, virtually covering the entire region, showed that the wind had also picked up. At this time, 2 helicopters we saw in the air increased our fire suspicions. However, we were relieved when the regional agency reporters on the press boat said the smoke was coming from garbage burning. What about the 2 helicopters flying? We learned from the evening news that they were high-level military officials coming from the Kardak area heading to Aksaz.

When the wind blew from 135 degrees at 6-7 knots, the race committee began preparations. The course would take place inside the bay and be completed with buoy turns of 6 nautical miles bird's eye view called 5A.

The race, which preparations began at 11:00 AM, starts at 1:30 PM for IRC 1 and 2, and at 1:35 PM for IRC 3 and 4. Those who hit the committee boat should be careful now. After clean starts, the yachts race on the course waiting for the wind to pick up. 

Inside the bay, 26 competing boats race against the wind that occasionally affects the course with squalls. 

Especially those approaching the finishes with spinnakers occasionally broach. The weather is beautiful, the wind is favorable, and those completing the competition in the lush green nature and deep blue waters in the background one by one head to Netsel Marina.

At the end of the 3rd race,

In IRC 1 Group GOBLIN 3-CANGRUP SİGORTA,

In IRC 2 Group HAYTA,

In IRC 3 Group BOOMERANG UK SAIL and

In IRC 4 Group MIRABELLA were the boats that left their competitors behind.

You can find the technical details and different visuals of the race in the March issue of YELKEN DÜNYASI magazine.