NO PASSAGE IN BODRUM FOR TWO MORE DAYS

For several consecutive legs, we had headlined in our 5th leg race news that the weather conditions of the Bodrum course allowed racing on only one of the two days.

This week, on May 4-5 when the race is scheduled, the streak of bad luck seems to continue.

In fact, forecasts show almost no wind on the first day, while on the second day winds appear to be well above limits.

This situation has upset the organization, the race committee, and the teams wanting to race.

They are all making every effort they can to hold the race. But Poseidon has it in for the course this time.

In light of this negative meteorological data, we arrived in Bodrum on May 3.

On the morning of Saturday, May 4, there was slightly more wind in Bodrum than the expected calm.

The briefing starts with this morale.

The Commodore makes the first speech;

RIZA TEVFİK EPİKMEN

He reminds that regarding the use of the WhatsApp channel established for communication purposes, the Secretariat's control system has been activated to prevent messages outside the purpose from being broadcast to everyone.

He also requests that participants openly express their views in the survey to be conducted for preparations for next year's winter trophy.

The Chief Umpire begins his remarks indicating better wind than expected;

AYBERK OLCAY

“There's a different wind than we expected. We'll check when we get to the course and decide.

We want to conduct as many races as we can today

We are planning 2 races for IRC A classes, 1 race for IRC B and Support Classes.

Tomorrow's weather conditions are above racing limits but we'll see.

If we catch a suitable condition, we will move the start times earlier.”

39 BOATS ON THE COURSE

The fleet is taking its position on the course after departing from Milta Bodrum Marina while the committee makes final preparations.

Wind is blowing from 160 degrees at 6-8 knots.

First start will be given to SUPPORT and IRC B classes.

The committee announces that ROUTE 7 from BAYK Routes will be sailed.

Accordingly, the race starting off Bodrum will take place on the side of Karaada facing the Datça shores and finish off Karaada North Lighthouse.

Approximately 10 Nautical Miles.

At 11:40, the 6th Leg races begin with the start of the SUPPORT classes.

DENİZ CADILARI-NORA false start.

Makes her correction and takes her position among the class boats.

There is wind but it's very shifty.

The boats that have started are struggling to get to the south of Karaada.

At 11:55, IRC B, 

At 12:10, IRC A classes are executing their starts to race on the same route.

There is no change in the wind strength at the start line, but the boats have to struggle a lot and lose a lot of ground to round Karaada Yassıkaya.

THIS PROTEST WILL BE MUCH DISCUSSED

MINX-HEDEF YELKEN racing in IRC B-2 is filing a protest for redress against BLUES 1-ÇORLU SAILING TEAM. 

On the wide course, those approaching Kos Island, those heading to the Datça coastline...

Yassıkaya that must be rounded.

As time passes, the wind is gradually losing its strength, especially along the Karaada coastline.

The chief umpire is monitoring the entire course with a boat.

The weather is variable, starting to show differences by position. One must be ready for the games. 

It looks like it will also move the fleet now.

YASSIKAYA IS IMPASSABLE

The leading boats approaching Yassıkaya are getting stuck in this position.

Long and short tack choices also do not create differences in the boats' progress.

Because; Almost all of them are anchored collectively in the same location.

Meanwhile, the light wind is leaving some boats close to shore in a difficult situation.

Were there any who briefly got help from the engine? 

Let that be the secret of those who saw but didn't tell.

The wind energy turbines on the Datça mountains are spinning, but the wind affecting those areas doesn't reach Karaada for a long time.

The judges, touring the course inch by inch with their inflatable boat, decide to shorten the route for all classes at 13:48, taking into account the developing conditions.

The finish line is set up in front of Küçük Poyraz bay with 2 boats.

The fleet is approaching the finish very slowly.

The wind seems like it will strengthen again. 

A slight movement has started and appears to continue.

Seeing this development, the Race Committee announces that the 2nd race of the day for IRC A (L) will be held.

BOREAS, GÖZTEPE YELKEN 1925, and KAPKARA cross the finish line one after another.

The wind, though light, is helping the fleet approaching the finish with slowly deflating, filling spinnakers.

The Committee announces at 14:17 that a 2nd race will be held for IRC B classes, and at 14:28 for SUPPORT classes.

If it happens, it will be a first to have 2 races for Support Classes.

When the 1st race is completed;

In IRC A-1 BOREAS (Hakan TANER)

In IRC A-2 AURORA X (Halit Levent AKBAŞ)

In IRC A-3 EXIT (Emre DERMAN)

In IRC B-1 SAFİNAZ (Ayşe KORALTAN)

In IRC B-2 D.ENGİN (Emir KARAMAN)

In SUPPORT DENİZ CADILARI-NORA (Bade TANOBA)

Are the boats leaving their competitors behind.

NO BUOY RACING TODAY

The wind is shifting between 170-210 degrees, very unstable.

The Committee is preparing a new geographical race.

While waiting for the fleet boats that finished 4 nautical miles away to return to the start line, they complete the race preparations.

As the wind blows at 8-9 knots from 170-180 degrees, the race committee announces that ROUTE 4 from BAYK Routes will be sailed for all classes.

There is a small change in the route for IRC B and SUPPORT classes; no rounding of the turning buoy set at 0.5 nautical miles distance.

Approximately an 11 nautical mile route.

SETTLED WIND GIVES A PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

The wind has settled, even seems to give a preview of tomorrow.

First start at 15:25 for IRC A classes.

At 16:10 SUPPORT classes, followed by IRC B classes starting at 16:25.

The entire fleet is racing on the course toward Köçek Shoal.

The wind is increasing its strength in these areas.

We are witnessing a fast race. 

Especially at the cape of Görecek Island, the deviations in wind direction are quite exhausting for the teams running with spinnakers to the finish line.

ONE NOTCH ABOVE METEOROLOGICAL FORECASTS

The winds, materializing one notch above the forecasts published by meteorology sites for a week, enable the fleet to complete 2 races with the committee's effort.

When the entire fleet completes their finishes;

In IRC A-1 DEFİNE (Yücel ÖZBEK-Selim KAKIŞ)

In IRC A-2 ORSA-CHEESE SAILING (Tora KUTOĞLU)

In IRC A-3 HENİ (Eser İNCE)

In IRC B-1 HEAVEN CAN WAIT 2 (Sergev LEBEDEV)

In IRC B-2 MELTEM (Serkan GEZER)

SUPPORT also SIRENA (Murat TOPRAK)

Completing the day with 2 races, as soon as the fleet docks at Milta Bodrum Marina, we witness a different activity on the pontoons.

The boats we want to consult about their views on the races that took place are gathering all their equipment as if "There will be no race tomorrow, let's pack up."  

We shall see.

At 19.00, the yachtsmen gathering at Marina Club for the Bayk Winter Trophy 5th Leg award ceremony are both evaluating the day and talking about tomorrow.

MEASURED, TRIMMED, READY FOR PROTEST COMMITTEE

When the awards were distributed, we went to BLUES 1, which had docked at the canal for measurement protest.

We met the pole in question.  

We filmed the work of Çağatay ÖNÜR who came for measurement with owner Mustafa SÖYLER.

We will await the result.

MAY 5 SUNDAY

The wind that started in the afternoon and strengthened at night was blowing breathlessly at sunrise.

In the early hours, it was strong enough to make walking difficult at the Windmills location on the Bodrum hills.

2 TICKS MORE THAN FORECAST

The Race Committee had moved the start time earlier as a precaution with an additional instruction.

They wanted to conduct at least one race.

But the conditions showed that this was not possible.

The southwesterly wind blowing consistently at 26-32 knots had also raised waves on the course.

Boats anchored off Bodrum had anchored in Gumbet Bay and started their watch under these developments.

The Race Committee, carefully monitoring these conditions, postponed until 12:00.

With conditions worsening further and rain honoring the occasion, at 12:00 they canceled all races that could not be held and announced wishes to meet at the final leg.

SO WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PROTEST?

The Protest Committee, starting the hearing with the report resulting from the measurements, also took the views of the parties and then DISQUALIFIED BLUES 1-ÇORLU SAILING TEAM from this and all past races it had competed in this trophy.

In light of these developments, the provisional results announced on Saturday evening were deleted from the BAYK website. 

In order to put a period to our news, we waited until today to publish the article we prepared yesterday, but the results for IRC B Classes have not been published until this hour.

BLUES 1-Çorlu SAILING TEAM, which was also a party, had informed us that they would make a statement regarding the matter.

Since no news came from either party, we are bringing you the news before it becomes stale.

(The results were published in their final form on the BAYK Website on Wednesday, May 8.

We have also updated the results within the scope of this publication.)

BAYK Winter Trophy 7th and final Leg Yacht Races will take place on May 25-26.