Fleet Grows in Marmaris Marina

This year in Marmaris, which couldn't get enough of rain, wind, and harsh weather conditions, the 2nd Leg of the ERGO-MIYC Winter Trophy will be held on February 2-3.

MARMARIS LONGING FOR THE SUN

In Marmaris, which hasn't seen the sun for a long time, on Friday, the sun finally showed its face.

On the same day, happiness messages from those living in the region were flying around on social media.

While descending from the Marmaris hills, connecting Ankara to Dalaman, we witness some boats training in the bay.

The wind, which appears non-existent on meteorology websites, doesn't recognize any website in Marmaris and is blowing.

RACE RULES FROM İLKER BAYINDIR

While some are doing warm-up laps on the course for the race taking place over the weekend, others are attending an informational meeting about race rules by international sailing judge İlker BAYINDIR, the chairman of the race protest committee, at the MIYC facilities.

Apparently everything is very fast.

Boat ratings have been determined, the results of the first race have been finalized.

This is how the cocktail in the club garden begins in the evening. We can say participation in events in Marmaris is one hundred percent, based on our observations.

It ends the way it begins.

FEBRUARY 2 SATURDAY

In the morning, participants gather for the single briefing of the 2-day race.

Can GİRAY (Chief Race Officer)

“After rainy and dark days, it's wonderful to see the blue, the sun” 

he begins his words. 

“Even though the wind looks low today, beautiful weather awaits us tomorrow.

The class divisions in the fleet were prepared considering all balances and we will complete all 6 legs in this format.

We have 3 races planned for this leg. 

We want to accomplish that. 

When we go out to sea, routes will be determined and announced according to conditions.”

Yes, Giray feels the need to make this statement due to some objections, albeit minor, regarding the class divisions.

We decided to ask the club president about the matter. 

What was it yesterday, what is it today? 

In your opinion, what is the reason for this decision?

İHSAN KALAYCI (MIYC President)

“In past years, the number of boats participating in winter trophies was between 20-25. But this year it increased. 

Anticipating that it would increase, we first made 5 classes. 

But in this situation, realizing that the number of boats in some classes was low, we finally decided to have 4 classes.

Our goal is to increase competition. 

When there are few boats in a group, our observations are that the intensity of racing decreases.

In the current situation; the competition will not disappear from the beginning to the end of the trophy.

A situation emerges that requires teams to be very careful.

If today's first place finishes 7th or 8th in another race, the risk of losing the trophy arises even if they are very strong contenders. 

For this reason, we think everyone will be committed to the race from start to finish.”

SAILS IN THE WATER

At the end of the briefing, when the boats leave Netsel Marina and head out to the course, a calm, flat sea awaits them.

The boats gathered around the committee boat are gathering up the collars of their sails touching the water.

Those with engine failures are towed by their friends to their own boats, the spinnakers of those who hoisted them are piled on deck...

Postponement, wait, wait. 

IF YOU DARE, GET IN THE SEA

There are Russians among us too, but no one dares to go into the sea anymore in the middle of winter.

The committee is taking wind measurements at different locations on the course according to their own assessment.  

Everyone is looking somewhere to find the racing limit. 

As time passes, the wind slowly makes its appearance, but what is its direction?

IF IT WEREN'T FOR YALANCI BOĞAZ

Shifting now this way, now that way, the Yalancı Boğaz side seems to say "I'll save you again."

It seems that way, really so.

The wind blowing from 110-130 degrees settles at 130 degrees. 

It hasn't dropped below 7 knots, and no one is expecting more today anyway.

Committee boat to its new position, start buoy to its place...

Once the return and offset buoys are anchored in their places after a few radio conversations, let the race preparations begin.

INSHORE R-2 COURSE

In the first race, the entire fleet  will sail the inshore R-2 course from the MIYC courses. 

The return buoy at 130 degrees is approximately 1.4 nautical miles away. The boats will complete 2 laps.

Start sequence;  First IRC 1-2, followed by IRC 3-4.

The first start planned for 12:00 finally takes place at 13:50. 

Following IRC 1-2, IRC 3-4 at 13:55.

30 BOATS ON THE COURSE

A full 30 boats on the course.

As the fleet gradually spreads across all areas of the course, there is neither a decrease nor an increase in the wind.

The first mark roundings of the fleet leaders are in groups.

Everyone knows their competitor, we are truly witnessing close tactical racing.

The wind, which was initially more effective in the Yalancı Boğaz area, spreads evenly across the entire course over time.

The race, which started with a postponement, continues as it began. 

The group leaders maintain their lead without opening too much distance from their pursuers.

As soon as the IRC 1-2 classes complete their finishes, the committee wastes no time announcing the 2nd race of the day for these classes.

SAME ROUTE SAME COURSE

Same route, on the course.  

There is no change to the marks.

Some boats from IRC 3-4 have not completed the race. 

At 15:35, IRC 1-2 start the 2nd race of the day with the warning signal.

By the time they arrive in front of Netsel Marina, IRC 3-4 have also completed their finishes.

At the end of the first race of the day;

In IRC 1, SÜTLAÇ (Mahmut SARAL)

In IRC-2, FIFTY FIFTY – NISSAN (Cenk TEKKAYA)

In IRC 3, KAYK APAZ- KOMURCUOĞLU (Doğukan KANDEMİR)

In IRC 4, BLUE BIRD 2 (Mehmet ÖZDAŞ)

Are the boats leaving their competitors behind.

While IRC 1-2 are trying to complete the 2nd race quickly, the committee gives the start for IRC 3-4 at 16:00.

There are boats everywhere on the course.

As ratings become clear and classes are defined, boats are also finding new competitors. While new powerful boats are joining the fleet, we cannot see some ambitious boats on the course.

The balance is changing. Teams are trying to adapt to this.

When first IRC 1-2 and then IRC 3-4 complete their finishes in the 2nd race of the day;

In IRC 1, SÜTLAÇ (Mahmut SARAL)

In IRC-2, SYMFONY (Timokov ANTON)

In IRC 3, KAYK APAZ- KOMURCUOĞLU (Doğukan KANDEMİR)

In IRC 4, BLUE BIRD 2 (Mehmet ÖZDAŞ)

Are the boats leaving their competitors behind.

As the wind that helps the boats run and race on the course leaves Marmaris along with the sun, Marmaris enters the night with a waterfront and marina view full of lights rivaling summer.

In the MİYC garden, the döner is already turning and music has begun to liven up the atmosphere.

This evening, the awards for the ERGO-MIYC Winter Trophy 1st Leg races will be presented.

Neither rain nor wind, the night is ending in a magnificent atmosphere.

FEBRUARY 3 SUNDAY

What is this; Marmaris in the mist. 

Meteorology didn't say so, did it?

No point in asking questions. Whatever our fate..

We're arriving at the marina, setting out to sea...

The expected wind has already started from Yalancı Boğaz again. 

It has settled at 130 degrees, exceeded 7 knots, and will continue to increase.

The committee is happy, no need for wind prayers, faces are smiling.

INNER HARBOR WEEK

Course; 4-A from MIYC courses. Again in the inner harbor.

The entire fleet will race on a triangle with two sausage legs attached to it. 

Starting in front of Marmaris, it will be completed with a finish in front of Yalancı Boğaz.

Thanks are also due to Yalancı Boğaz, which never leaves us without wind.

KARGATAŞI ISLAND IS UPSET WITH THE COMMITTEE

But meanwhile, we seem to be breaking the heart of Kargataşı Island in the outer harbor as well.

It doesn't matter, we'll make up for it plenty plenty plenty in time.

So as you can understand, we're confined to the inner harbor this leg.

At 12:00 the IRC 1-2s are starting but KABASAKAL, MATRAK 2 and ALEGRIA are false start. 

They refresh their starts and join the fleet.

At 12:05 the IRC 3-4s execute their starts.

When the starts are completed, the wind is now reaching 12-14 knots.

The fleet is heading rapidly towards Yalancı Boğaz.

PLANS CAN GO WRONG AT MARES

We're waiting for them at the turning buoy location in front of MARES HOTEL.

The spinnakers are open in full color, with the lush green mountains of Marmaris in the background.

The spinnakers and background are all good, but the wind is being coy at our location.

Chief Race Officer Can Giray's mind and eye are both on this location. 

This panic continues for a while. 

Although the wind reduces its strength, it later aligns with the daily forecast on meteorology websites.

BUOY ROUNDINGS ARE COMPETITIVE TEST AREAS

When the triangle is completed, the sausages' mark roundings become the scene of dual triple competitions.

But the finishes are one by one, individually. Almost like a show.

The elegant maneuver of SÜTLAÇ, the first to finish in the fleet, in the narrow space in front of the press boat is captured by the lenses.

With the wind remaining effective on the course without reducing its power, when the entire fleet completes their finishes;

In IRC 1, SÜTLAÇ (Mahmut SARAL)

In IRC-2, FIFTY FIFTY – NISSAN (Cenk TEKKAYA)

In IRC 3, KAYK APAZ- KOMURCUOĞLU (Doğukan KANDEMİR)

In IRC 4, BOOMERANG (Serdar ŞAHİN)

Become the boats that leave their competitors behind.

At the end of the race, the protest filed by FIFTY FIFTY – NISSAN against SYMFONY, raced by Russian sailors, was rejected without being heard due to the filing procedure not being fulfilled.

As a result; with sunny weather, sufficient winds, gentleman racers leave another leg of the course behind with joy and fun.

The ERGO-MIYC Winter Trophy 3rd Leg will be sailed on March 9-10.

NUROL BANK, MAIN SPONSOR OF CAMPUS CUP 

NUROL BANK is undertaking the main sponsorship of CAMPUS CUP which will take place on March 15-16-17.

The event, which takes place with intensive participation from university sailing clubs, will be more colorful this year in terms of both participation, activities and race routes. Last year, 38 teams from 25 universities with over five hundred young athletes competed fiercely on the Marmaris Course.