SOUTHWEST WIND'S TRICKS KEPT EVERYONE ON EDGE

As the briefing began at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 24th, the rain seemed as if it would occasionally tear down the roof of Marina Yacht Club.

Meteorology is very important for yacht races. Both above and below the determined limits spoil the enjoyment.

Skills, foresights, accumulated knowledge, boat performance, and team harmony are tested within these limits, leading teams to advantages and disadvantages against competitors.

When the limits are exceeded, there is nothing anyone can do. The race does not take place.

No races could be held in the harsh weather conditions at the 3rd Leg of the CFM-BAYK Winter Trophy. Understandably, all eyes were on this leg.

Naturally, as the name suggests, similar adversities can be experienced in all courses during winter trophies, but they were not particularly persistent.

If fewer races were held in one leg, it could be compensated in another.

However, when the Bodrum course's 3rd Leg passed without races and meteorology sites had been forecasting strong southerly winds with precipitation for Bodrum for a week, anxieties began to be felt.

TENSE WAITING

Bodrum, one of the challenging courses of the Winter Trophies, had to maintain its reputation while hosting both a large fleet and fast boats.

Participants Are Tense;

Of course, coming from far away for this beautiful event, preparing and then not being able to race again...

Committee Is Tense; Not being able to race around fifty boats, over five hundred participants...

Only Poseidon is relaxed. Blowing one moment, raining the next, clearing up, then closing in; As he pleases.

To be able to race, to compete in the midst of all this?

Those devoted to this sport successfully completed such a week on the Bodrum Course.

A WET DAY AWAITS

The first words of the briefing came from Chief Umpire Ayberk OLCAY;

“A WET DAY AWAITS”

Olcay stated that the wind appeared suitable for racing on both days, and that alternative routes would be implemented according to the developing conditions on the course.

As the rain left its power to drizzles at the end of the briefing, the boats were leaving Milta Bodrum Marina to take their positions on the course behind the umpire boat.

As soon as they exited the breakwater, steep waves with heavy swell were saying “welcome friends”.

The southwesterly wind that had been blowing incessantly for days had accumulated and gathered these waves, presenting them to us.

The committee had set up the course, determined the route, and while tracking the arrival of 48 registered boats, was also waiting for the wind direction and strength to become clear.

Conditions are set, Yankee(Y) Flag on the halyard.

The wind blowing from 220 degrees at 25-33 Knots is expected to drop.

This situation is being announced from the committee boat.

All classes will race on the same route. The race starting in front of Bodrum will finish at the same location. ROUTE 3 from BAYK Routes will be applied.

After rounding one windward buoy, Kıstak Island will be rounded and returned. The yachts will race on a geographical route of approximately 17 Nautical miles.

Steep waves are making it difficult for everyone on an unpleasant, uncomfortable start line. The competitors in the teams are bundled up in thick clothing to the point of being unrecognizable.

At 12:00, the boats in IRC B and Support Class start together.

OH NO, THERE'S A GUEST AT THE START

While the IRC B and Support Class boats were executing their start, MERSIN SAILING ACADEMY competing in the IRC A1 group also wanted to start with them. After sailing a bit, they realized "These aren't our guys". Back they went. Their radio had a malfunction.

While the boats in IRC B and Support Class were heading towards the windward mark 0.8 nautical miles away, the wind was around 25 Knots.

It was impossible to shoot from the bow and stern of the ELELE Boat we were filming from, we were rolling that much. We are trying to gather footage in the middle holding on together and follow the race.

THERE IS A PROTEST

Meanwhile, FORTUNA announces that she has filed a protest against KONTIKI M. Then MIRMIR-KECHI SAILING also files a protest against FORTUNA. There is contact between the boats but no damage, they continue.

When the windward mark was rounded and course was set from below Kara Ada to Kıstak Island, squalls and steep waves were giving the boats difficult moments.

ACCIDENT NARROWLY AVOIDED

As the IRC A Class start preparations were coming to an end, an ambulance request comes from the ARUNA ODTU boat racing in the Support Class. As a result of a boom strike between Kara Ada and Tavşan Burnu, athlete İlke TAN is injured on the head. Bodrum Rescue picks up the athlete from the accident site and brings them to port. After medical intervention, İlke is brought to the marina. Meanwhile, the boat also abandons the race and heads ashore after their teammate.

WHEN THE ENGINE WOULDN'T START

AYK ARSIZ boat also announces to the committee that they want to withdraw from the race and requests towing as they also have an engine failure. This request is met without incident.

The windward buoy at 210 degrees for the IRC A classes that will start is 1.8 nautical miles away. The route is the same.

At 12.30, IRC A3 and IRC A4, and at 12.40, IRC AO and IRC A1 perform their starts.

WHEN THE MAINSAIL GOES

Although the wind has decreased its power very slightly, it continues to disturb all fleet boats with occasional squalls. Everyone is cautious.

An announcement from JASMIN QATTRO;

“Our mainsail has torn, we are abandoning the race.”

If we cannot see those announcing the difficulties they are experiencing, we can hear them on the radio. The course is very wide and it is impossible to track the entire fleet at the same time.

MAST IN THE WATER

We hear those making announcements, but there are also those experiencing problems without making announcements.

One of them is the TURUVA 1 boat. Near Kara Island, they broach in the squalls and the boat's mast is in the water for 1.5 minutes. The racers, without falling into the sea, change their positions with their own means and start swimming and running. Then similar positions again. Finally, they abandon the race.

As the boats round Kıstak Island and approach the finish, the wind maintains its intensity. We are witnessing tight tacks. The fleet has become quite separated from each other.

While finishes are being taken, there is a serious front over Kos Island and it could come over the course at any moment.

RIGHT DECISION

The committee, which had planned to hold the 2nd Race of the day, announces that this decision cannot be realized. As the boats complete the race and return to the marina, that front indeed makes its appearance in Bodrum.

We are awaiting the results but there is a protest. FORTUNA files its protest but MIRMIR-KECHI SAILING does not officially pursue its protest request as announced on the course.

At the end of the hearing, FOETUNA and KONTİKİ M fly together.

8 boats retired from the race due to technical reasons.

At the end of CFM-BAYK Winter Trophy 4th Leg 1st race;

In IRC A0 COMET/ARKAS M.A.T. SAILING (Serhat ALTAY)

In IRC A1 DEFİNE (Selim KAKIŞ)

In IRC A2 İZMİR YELKEN AKADEMİSİ (Kaan ÖZGÖNENÇ)

In IRC A3 ISKORPIT-UK SAILS-TEAM MATADOR (Cüneyt BÜYÜKUÇAK)

IRC B1 SAFİNAZ (Deniz ÖNGÖREN)

IRC B2 BLUES1-ÇORLU SAILING TEAM (Mustafa SÖYLER)

IRC B3 POSRIDON (Eren YÖNTEM)

DESTEK MIRMIR-KECHI SAILING (Sarp GÜNEY)

These are the boats leaving their competitors behind.

FLEET IS TIRED

After a tough day, very few people are able to attend the cocktail party held at Marina Yat Club at 6:00 PM due to fatigue.

Those who have showered and rested are taking their places at Bodrum venues to enjoy the pleasant race. Lower winds are expected tomorrow.

WAITING FOR THE SUN

On Saturday morning, March 25, we wake up to sunny weather. We'll get beautiful views. As we board the boats and head out to the course, clouds cover it up. When the race ends and we leave Bodrum, the sun barely shows its face. It's been teasing us this week.

The wind has dropped, blowing at 12 knots. Whether we call it a wave or a breeze, it continues alternating. Up and down.

But clearly yesterday's harshness won't be experienced.

The wind has turned slightly west, cooling things down.

IRC B and Support classes will race a geographical route, while IRC A groups will race with two offset buoys.

With the wind blowing from 210 degrees at 12 knots, the start for IRC B and Support classes takes place at 10:50 AM.

This group will race BAYK Route 4. After the bear buoy, Kargı and Çelebi Islands will be rounded, and they will come to the finish. There is a change in the route, there is no return buoy. Approximately 12 nautical miles.

At 11:30, IRC A3 and A4 perform their starts, and at 11:45, IRC A0 and A1 perform their starts. The wind is not like the day before, but the waves are similar even though they are lower.

As the boats round the offset return buoy, the wind drops a bit more.

But the clouds are sworn, on guard at the top of the course.

In this 2-lap course, IRC A boats generally don't break away from each other. The buoy distance is 1.8 nautical miles. Approximately a 7.5 nautical mile race.

The fleet that didn't break away from each other gave us good photo opportunities even though they were downwind. Meanwhile, the wind had started to veer southward.

While IRC B and Support groups are racing to complete the race on the long course, IRC A groups are completing the first race of the day.

Meanwhile, the finishes of IRC B and Support groups were also taken at the finish line set up on the shallow water buoy side.

At the end of the 1st race of the day;

In IRC A0, COMET/ARKAS M.A.T. SAILING (Serhat ALTAY)

In IRC A1, DEFİNE (Selim KAKIŞ)

In IRC A2, AURORA X (Halit Levent AKBAŞ)

In IRC A3, ISKORPIT-UK SAILS-TEAM MATADOR (Cüneyt BÜYÜKUÇAK)

IRC B1 SAFİNAZ (Deniz ÖNGÖREN)

IRC B2 DENİZ CADILARI (Bade TANOBA)

IRC B3 ICEBERK (Mehmet Şükrü TILMAZ)

DESTEK MIRMIR-KECHI SAILING (Sarp GÜNEY)

are the boats leaving their rivals behind.

At this point, the wind does not change its strength but shifts its direction to 160 degrees.

The course was adjusted accordingly and at 13:25 IRC A3 and A4, at 13:35 IRC AO and A1 completed their starts.

The windward mark distance remained the same, the bearing was 160 degrees.

IRC A class boats generally completed the race without breaking away from each other and gifting us the sight of beautiful competition.

At the end of the race;

IRC A0 COMET/ARKAS M.A.T. SAILING (Serhat ALTAY)

IRC A1 DEFİNE (Selim KAKIŞ)

IRC A2 AURORA X (Halit Levent AKBAŞ)

IRC A3 LADY SUN (Bülent KAŞERCİ)

were the boats leaving their rivals behind.

THE HAPPY ONES OF BODRUM

While the fleet, having completed two full days with tough races, headed towards Milta Bodrum Marina with happiness, the race committee, having completed two stressful days, was perhaps the happiest team in Bodrum at that moment.

Before the CFM-BAYK Winter Trophy 5th Leg races to be held on April 12-13, the OVERALL standings in the groups are:

IRC A0 COMET/ARKAS M.A.T. SAILING (Serhat ALTAY)

IRC A1 DEFİNE (Selim KAKIŞ)

IRC A2 AURORA X (Halit Levent AKBAŞ)

IRC A3 ISKORPIT-UK SAILS-TEAM MATADOR (Cüneyt BÜYÜKUÇAK)

IRC B1 SAFİNAZ (Deniz ÖNGÖREN)

IRC B2 BLUES1-ÇORLU SAILING TEAM (Mustafa SÖYLER)

IRC B3 ICEBERK (Mehmet Şükrü TILMAZ)

DESTEK MIRMIR-KECHI SAILING (Sarp GÜNEY)

OH NO, THE LODOS WON'T LEAVE ME ALONE

After rolling around in the Lodos for two days, I jumped in the car and came to Izmir. I threw myself into bed and I'm still swaying. I woke up early in the morning and finished preparing the article.

I wanted to take a break and let the article settle, so I decided to go to the gym.

On my way back from the gym, I came to Bostanlı pier. What's this?

Oh no, the Lodos is waiting for me! The sea is rough.

I don't think I'll ever catch the last ferry before cancellations again.

Don't invite me, friends, know that I come with my Lodos.

Stay healthy.