Leadership Changes at Marmaris Regatta

We are in Marmaris to follow the 5th Leg of the Winter Trophy, which consists of 6 legs. There is no such thing as calm weather on the Marmaris course during the two days of racing.

On the first day, Saturday, April 22nd, clouds had covered the entire region, and the wind had started to blow gently in the early hours. However, a grey backdrop couldn't quite brighten the leaden atmosphere.

At the briefing held at MIYC facilities, Chief Race Officer Can GİRAY stated that following the races sailed in the previous legs of the trophy, they had planned only 4 races for the 5th and 6th Legs. He indicated that it would be possible to discard a race from the overall Trophy standings after these races to be held.

When the 24 registered boats headed out to the course, the prevailing wind was practically helping the Race Committee to determine and set the course. We were not witnessing the traditional Marmaris wind changing direction and strength.

The committee boat had set the start line on the Inner Harbor Yalancı Boğaz side, with the windward mark laid at 310 degrees.

Preparations and announcements had begun, and as the start time approached, the wind was blowing from 310 degrees at 7-9 knots.

The route for today's single race: Start off Yalancı Boğaz, rounding the upwind buoy number 1 at 310 degrees to port, leaving Karga Taşı Island in the outer harbor and rounding buoy number 2 to port, finishing off Marmaris. Approximately 14 nautical miles. All classes will race on the same course.

At 12:05, the start was given to IRC 1 and 2 groups, at 12:10 to IRC 3 and 4 groups, and at 12:15 to the single-boat Support class.

The lack of strong wind conditions did not provide us with competitive racing scenes at the starts.

As the boats approached and rounded the upwind buoy, the wind strength decreased slightly. After the rounding, the fleet headed towards the outer harbor with spinnakers deployed.

Over time, the boats that had separated from each other were making their turns around Karga Taşı Island almost one by one. After rounding buoy number 2 in the Outer Harbor, the boats heading towards the finish buoy off Marmaris were crossing the finish line one by one. From start to finish, the wind helped the boats race without any surprises.

At the end of the race;

In IRC 1, GOBLIN 3-CANGRUP SIGORTA (Aslan Kaan İş),

In IRC 2, HAYTA (Zafer ÖZNUR),

In IRC 3, CLAVELLA (Leo KOLF),

In IRC 4, BLUE BIRD 2-ERGO (Mehmet ÖZDAŞ)

Were the boats that left their competitors behind in their classes.

At the evening party held at MIYC facilities, while the 4th Leg trophies found their owners, the rain that had allowed racing all day did not fail to show its strength during the awards ceremony.

On the second day, Sunday, April 23rd, the sun showed its face in Marmaris. The strong northerly winds that had been blowing since the night had dispersed the clouds, creating an atmosphere perfectly suitable for racing on the course.p>

The April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children's Day celebrations, which were enthusiastically commemorated throughout our country, were also reflected on the race course.

While teams displayed themselves with flags and Atatürk printed t-shirts, announcements regarding the meaning and significance of the day were made on VHF channel 71, the race channel, by all boats, primarily by the Race Committee.

We received the most valuable announcement from the race committee boat. Chief Umpire Can Giray announced that on such an important day, he was transferring the chief umpire duties to a 13-year-old young sailor, Ada Doğa Göktan.

After the entire fleet's announcements wishing success to the Young Chief Umpire, this time the race announcements began. All announcements from the start to the finish of the race were made by Aslı Doğa Göktan.

As previously announced, only one race will be held today. Yesterday a long geographical route race took place, today it's the buoy race's turn. That was also announced; it will be held inside the bay.

Starting from the start line set up at Yalancı Boğaz location, all classes will first round the windward buoy set at 305 degrees off Marmaris, then after rounding the turning buoys in front of Mares Hotel and at the start location from port side, they will complete the triangular course, race on a sausage course and finish off Marmaris.

Meteorology indicated that winds would strengthen in the afternoon.

At 12:05, starts were given to IRC 1 and 2 groups, and at 12:10 to IRC 3 and 4 groups.

After classes made their starts with five-minute intervals, they are climbing to the windward buoy on tacks. The wind is getting progressively stronger.

At the windward buoy roundings, while squalls challenged many boats, when they reached the buoy in front of Mares Hotel, the wind strength decreased. Marmaris inner harbor presents its classic harsh wind style to the participants in the final race.

Again at the Yalancı Boğaz roundings, an increase and a decrease, then the fleet transitions to the sausage course.

The boats, separating from each other one by one on the triangle course, fill the course with their colorful spinnakers when they reach the sausage leg.

At the end of the race where the wind blew relentlessly with full force;

In IRC 1, GOBLIN 3-CANGRUP SIGORTA (Aslan Kaan İş),

In IRC 2, HAYTA (Zafer ÖZNUR),

In IRC 3, CLAVELLA (Leo KOLF),

In IRC 4, BLUE BIRD 2-ERGO (Mehmet ÖZDAŞ)

Were the boats that left their competitors behind in their classes.

The crews who raced intensively on both days await the 6th and final leg on March 13-14.

Let's see what the crews, who have sustained a long struggle throughout the winter with its wind, rain, and cold, will do in the final leg, and which ones will deserve to win the trophies.