Devil's Leg Mooring Buoy Breaks in Bodrum

The 2019 BAYK Winter Trophy consisting of 7 legs, due to unfavorable weather conditions for a long time, races planned for 2 days were only being held for one day.

On May 25-26, in the final leg of the trophy, the Race Committee was able to conduct races for the fleet on both days.

Despite meteorology websites forecasting variable and low wind for Saturday and Sunday, Bodrum Course held its races to the fullest in the final leg.

On Saturday morning May 25 at the briefing, first BAYK Commodore Rıza Tevfik EPİKMEN gave a welcome message and brief reminders.

Then Chief Umpire Ayberk OLCAY;

“We have prepared 10 alternative courses for you.

I don't want to say anything about the weather forecast but

we see that the weather will settle around 16:00 today.

First, we will start with a buoy race for IRC A classes.

We are also planning to conduct 2 short coastal races for IRC B and SUPPORT Classes.

If time permits, we are planning to conduct another buoy race for IRC A classes.

There are many boats anchored in front of Bodrum Harbor due to the season.

We will apply the courses accordingly.”

At the end of the briefing, the fleet consisting of 40 boats completed their preparations, departed from Milta Bodrum Marina, and headed out to the course.

The wind blowing above forecasts was a harbinger that the day would be good in terms of racing.

40 boats gathered around the committee boat to participate in a meaningful ceremony.

Over the radio, the BAYK Commodore invited everyone to a moment of silence for Samim ARDUMAN, one of the doyens of the Sailing Community who recently passed away, and İhsan YILDIRIM, who had been racing on the Bodrum course for years.

A wreath was cast into the sea.

The Committee, having completed the course preparations, announced that all fleets would sail BAYK Route R-2 in the day's first race.

Accordingly; after passing the turning buoy 0.6 nautical miles off the start, first rounding Çelebi Island, then Köçek Shoal, and finishing again off Bodrum

Approximately 12 NM.

At this time, the wind was blowing from 210-220 degrees at 13-15 knots.

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The SUPPORT classes started at 11:45, IRC B classes at 12:00, and IRC A classes at 12:45.

COMPETITIVE STARTS IN IRC A CLASSES

In the collision between ORSA-CHEESE SAILING and EXIT in IRC A 2 class, EXIT's broken boom injured the foot of one of the team athletes, so EXIT

abandoned the race after the start and returned to the marina.

The boom broke ORSA-CHEESE SAILING's shroud wires.

The team continued the race with the broken wire, struggling on the trapezes.

In the same start, ZARGANA BRAVO SAILING collided with STORMY-WINDY SAILING.

As a result of the collision, a small hole opened in STORMY-WINDY SAILING's hull close to the waterline.

Tunca ÇALIŞKAN taped the hole and continued the race. He protected himself with a single tack throughout the entire leg and completed the trophy.

After the turning buoy, the wind was blowing stronger off Görecek Point for the boats entering this area.

At this location, a crew member from AURORA X was rescued just as he was falling into the sea.

After Çelebi Island, the boats rounding Köçek shoal reached the finish with spinnakers.

Those who caught the wind well at Köçek shoal could not catch that luck windwise as they approached the finish area.

At the same time, the wind making fluctuations in its direction made dancing with spinnakers mandatory.

When the finishes were taken in the first race of the day;

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, LIQUID SKY (Eren YÖNTEM)

In IRC B 2, BLUES 1-ÇORLU SAILING TEAM (Mustafa SÖYLER)

In SUPPORT Class, DENİZ CADILARI-NORA (Bade TANOBA)

were the boats leaving their competitors behind.

BUOY WORK IS TOUGH, COACH

The race committee, starting preparations for the second race, announced that geographical R-4 route from BAYK Routes would be sailed.

The wind was really shifting a lot.

The fleet would race between Çelebi Island and Tavşan Burnu with Bodrum as start and finish.

Approximately 15.5 NM.

At 15:15 SUPPORT, at 15:30 IRC B, and at 15:45 IRC A classes executed their starts.

The wind, now settled at 240 degrees, was blowing in the 15-19 knot range.

The strengthening wind was causing the fleet to sail fast at the beginning.

KAPKARA, experiencing a halyard problem, announced with a statement that it would withdraw from the race.

This problem plagued KAPKARA for two days as we followed.

The boats that rounded Çelebi Island and sailed between Karaada and the mainland either got caught in or chose different wind zones.

While heading towards Tavşan Burnu with spinnakers, the Karaada shores showed poverty in terms of wind direction, whereas the Bodrum shores were quite generous.

We couldn't understand those who knowingly entered the burnt areas even from a distance seeing these zones.

The boats that rounded the Tavşan Burnu mark were approaching the finish on a windward course as if putting on a show, presenting beautiful images.

SUPPORT SCHMUPPORT, I DON'T KNOW SISTER

The performance of DENİZ CADILARI racing in the SUPPORT class was also really very good.

They never gave up their first finish. They didn't let other classes close the gap.

When the 2nd and final race of the day finished;

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, SAFİNAZ (Ayşe KORALTAN)

In IRC B 2, BLUES 1-ÇORLU SAILING TEAM (Mustafa SÖYLER)

In SUPPORT Class, SİRENA (Murat TOPRAK)

were the boats that left their competitors behind.

During the trophy, the award ceremony for the previous leg was taking place on Saturday evening.

But since the awards will be given at the closing ceremony on Sunday, there is no ceremony today.

On Sunday morning, May 26th, the weather is no less favorable than yesterday. 

The wind will blow but it's a bit coy.

We will meet the BODRUM SCHOOL SHIP which is on its way to Samsun and back.

The entire fleet is moving to Görecek Point area.

The School Ship is not visible. 

Neither is the wind.

"If it's not in our location, it doesn't exist," we say, when it gradually comes from the west. Unstable again.

When it reaches 7-8 knots, the committee begins start procedures.

The Geographical R-1 course from BAYK Routes will be raced.

START ORDER HAS CHANGED 

First start is IRC A. Then SUPPORT and IRC B classes. 

At 12:35, the IRC A classes are starting.

The group's departure is from the side of the buoy where we are located.

The boats crowding around the buoy, with shouts and sounds of kevlar, cross the start line and begin racing on the course.

At 12:50, DESTEK, and at 13:05, the IRC B classes complete their starts.

We take our position behind Köçek Shoal. After the turning buoy, we can observe different tactics.

NOMAD TURX is heading quite offshore.

At the front of the fleet, KAPKARA is coming first to the shoal. BOREAS is behind her.

There's a big difference with the boats in the pursuit though...

A NEW START?

The wind is dropping in this position.

Will there be a new start from here?

The leading boats are taking the shoal very wide from the south and there's no wind.

We're watching from atop the press boat.

The area they're struggling in is the most windless spot of the course.

Those coming from behind are slowly tacking around the shoal and turning sharply.

Luckily, the wind is helping them.

DEFINE, ORSA-CHEESE SAILING are those who make the sharpest turns and don't make mistakes when setting the spinnaker. 

After passing the shallow area and heading toward the turning mark, the shifty wind of that location keeps playing games with those flying spinnakers.

There is no decrease in wind strength.

Before the fleet leaders round the mark, the Race Committee announces the course shortening.

Çelebi Island will not be rounded. After the turning mark, the boats are heading to the finish line and the competition becomes evident.

Those entering the finish in pairs and triplets, the whistles blowing one after another are the final whistles of the 7-leg trophy.

When the race ends, where no team could say "My Place is Guaranteed" and the breath of the competitor was felt in the cockpit:

IRC A 1 DEFINE (Yücel ÖZBEK-Selim KAKIŞ)

IRC A 2 ORSA-CHEESE SAILING (Tora KUTOĞLU)

IRC A 3 EXIT (Emre DERMAN)

IRC B 1 FORTUNA (Ali KORKMAZ)

IRC B 2 BLUES 1-ÇORLU SAILING TEAM (Mustafa SÖYLER)

SUPPORT Class DENİZ CADILARI-NORA (Bade TANOBA)

are the boats leaving their competitors behind.

Tonight there is the Trophy closing ceremony at Milta Bodrum Marina.

Preparations are complete, plenty of cups will be distributed.

BAYK Winter Trophy 6th Leg, 7th Leg and Trophy cups will find their owners.

We wanted to capture the ceremony from the air as well.

Teams that came to this meaningful ceremony in their most elegant costumes.

Indeed, they competed in all conditions for a full 7 Legs and reached the end.

After the 6th and 7th Leg awards, it's time for the Trophy overall results and awards.

The boats that completed the BAYK Winter Trophy as leaders in their classes;

In IRCA 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, FORTUNA (Ali KORKMAZ)

In IRC B 2, MINX HEDEF YELKEN (Yiğit EROĞLU)

are the winners.

The Grand Cup of the Trophy

ORSA-CHEESE SAILING (Levent PEYNİRCİ)

Receives.

While the results are clear and the awards have found their owners, we wanted to get the views of the organization, the race committee and the participants.

RIZA TEVFİK EPİKMEN

(BAYK COMMODORE)

“We believe the trophy went well. But it will be the participants who will evaluate this.

Today we sent them survey forms regarding the Trophy. 

The actual evaluations will emerge after these feedbacks.

Throughout the winter, we saw and experienced how global warming and climate changes caused surprises in the winds.

Despite this, we held 18 races in IRC A. 14 races were planned in IRC B, we completed 13 of them.

This year in Bodrum, we wanted to race like Bodrum. 

Longer, more geographical routes.

Instead of boats being tied up and left, we want them to be lived on at the pontoons, we want teams to advance their friendships with each other.

We organized the trophy without sponsors due to the economic difficulties in the country. Of course this was very difficult.

There may be an additional race in the summer months. We are continuing our negotiations with a sponsor on this matter.

Of course we will have our autumn trophy at the end of the year.

We will plan our 2020 winter trophy according to the survey results we receive.

Our goal is to be able to organize races with high participation and competition.”

SEA WITCHES

“As a team, we completed our 7th Winter Trophy on this course. 

We are a team composed entirely of women, racing with different boats and growing with the arrival of new women.

Our long association has brought harmony. 

That also makes successes come more easily.

We previously raced in group B.

However, when some boats from Group A moved to Group B, the IRC rating range was kept too high, resulting in an unbalanced grouping. 

We experienced difficulties last year because of this.

We will answer all of these in the survey that will be sent.

The rating range in Group A is too low, in B it's too high. 

3 boats are racing in A, 10 boats in B.

It would be good if all of these were arranged fairly.”

LEVENT PEYNİRCİ

(ORSA-CHEESE SAILING)

“This year we joined the trophy with a new crew. 

We were confident in our group, we couldn't predict whether we would win Overall.

But being first in both, especially with a new crew, made us happy.

BAYK Winter Trophy is enjoyable every year. 

We found participation low this year.

Probably the mistakes made in past years caused this.

Hopefully it will return to its former level.

ALİ KORKMAZ

(FORTUNA)

“This year the trophy went very well with the alternatives and choices regarding race courses.

The system applied made us happier compared to previous years.

God willing, we will conduct our races with the same happiness in the coming years.”

ALBERK OLCAY

(CHIEF UMPIRE)

“As the Race Committee, we think we've gotten through a challenging trophy.

When some boats from IRC Class A went to participate in races on other courses, the number in this class decreased.

Despite this, there was an increase in IRC Class B. 

We think this is also positive.

We showed our best effort in the geographical conditions that varied so much throughout the Trophy.

Some firsts were experienced in BAYK history.  

The planned number of races was completed with very few shortfalls.

The variable Bodrum winds described by meteorology experts dominated throughout the trophy.

This caused us to conduct short geographical races rather than buoy races.

In the last 2 legs, despite heavy sea traffic and variable winds, we endeavored to complete the missing races with geographically weighted routes.

We hope for more stable winds in 20120.”