COMPETITION ACCELERATES IN MARMARIS

There is wind on the sea and I can see the teams participating in the trophy doing their remote training sessions. The number of boats in these sessions, which were previously few and far between, has increased. Many boats are on the water. "The fleet boats are taking this business very seriously." This scene is the clearest indication.

"What does a lack of coordination during the race, a small glitch, lead to?" Everyone is now aware of this. Therefore, the desire to reach better points through coordination training is becoming increasingly apparent.

When registration closes, we see that the number of boats participating in the 4th leg of the trophy is 46.

Looking at the distribution of boats by class; there are 11 in ORC A, 3 in ORC B, 10 in ORC C, 8 in ORC D, 5 in ORC E, 5 in ORC F, and 4 in ORC G.

This number is quite valuable considering we're halfway through the winter trophy. As it is said, "This course is rapidly gathering racers."

On the first race day, although the wind has somewhat lightened, it still dominates the course. The sun prefers to hide, showing its face from time to time. Of course, that's its business; it falls to us to adjust our camera settings according to these variable conditions.

The Marmaris quay has become quite lively with race boats and racers. Our path leads to the club building, as always, for the briefing.

Principal Race Officer Ezgi Kalaycı begins her remarks by introducing the race committee, as always.

Ceren Veziroğlu, the head of the race protest committee, has become the new general manager of the Turkish Offshore Racing Club. We also wish her success in her new position.

As a result, the race committee is quite strong.

Ezgi Kalaycı begins her remarks by reminding that with the lengthening days, the sunset time has reached 19:30.

There are four races planned in this leg. First, the completion of races missing from previous legsis aimed to be completed.

Three races are planned for Saturday and one race for Sunday.

Changes in start sequences are also mentioned. The fleet will begin racing with two starts. At the first start, ORC A-B-C classes will take to the course, and at the second start, ORC D-E-F-G classes will take to the course.

Kalaycı also touches upon the subject of races that can be discarded at the end of the trophy as we approach the final stages. The total number of races planned in the trophy is 15. If the number of races increases, teams will be able to discard their poor results. If 18 races are held, they can discard 3 races; if 17 races are held, 2 races; and if 16 races are held, 1 race.

This situation is quite important for the overall results.

When we got out on the course, there were no unfavorable conditions for racing in terms of wind. The weather is a bit hazy. The wind is blowing at around 7 knots from 280 degreesyor. Measurements taken at different areas of the course are announced on VHF channel 71. Same direction, same intensities. A racing-suitable atmosphere, what more could you want?

The committee wastes no time completing course preparations and announces the first route for the trophy: ROUTE 5 from MİYC routes.

At 12:05, ORC A-B-C classes start, followed by ORC D-E-F-G classes at 12:11. No increase or decrease in wind. The fleet tacks toward the turning marks.

Racing in ORC A class, EKER 40 is the first to round the mark, but her own class is collectively right behind. The competition among rivals continues with very little distance between them. Positions change from time to time.

During the race, apart from the referee and press boats, we occasionally see some boats. We hear that some of these are logistics boats for certain yachts. Especially after the race starts, these boats rapidly advance to different points. One inevitably wonders "Is there wind monitoring according to positions?"

When the second race of the day preparations begin, there isn't much change in the wind. It increases slightly, that's all. Blowing from 275 degrees at 10-12 knots. Same course.

At 13:55, ORC A-B-C classes execute their starts. Two boats are OCS; BOREAS racing in ORC A and LOBSTER X racing in ORC B. Of these, BOREAS grazes the buoy while restarting and moreover almost cannot break free. A great misfortune for this competitive team. The problem is overcome and they try to catch up with their competitors.

The wind has increased compared to the first race, and competition is becoming more intense in all classes. The racing is particularly fierce at the turning buoys.

In ORC A class, CHACAL is the first to round the buoy. The battle between EKER 40 and VAKKORAMA behind her is worth watching. As they approach and round the buoy, we witness a beautiful example of experience, knowledge accumulation, and teamwork.

The close racing at the turns is present in many classes. In one of these close encounters, FOX L from ORC C boats got caught on the buoy and started dragging it. With the help of the umpires in that area, the buoy was quickly freed from the boat and repositioned. No situation occurred that disrupted the race.

However, after the ORC A-B-C's passed the gate buoys, CAPELLA 2, racing in ORC F class, was taking the buoy underneath and moving away. An irreparable situation was occurring. The boat helmed by İhsan Kalaycı couldn't get free from the buoy lines, leaving nothing to be done for those following.

There was one more person who had nothing left to do in this situation: Chief Race Officer Ezgi Kalaycı. In this situation that strained the measures of fairness, she was declaring ABANDONMENT for ORC D-E-F-G classes.

The committee is making preparations for the new race while they have the wind. Same course, same wind.

At the start of ORC A-B-C classes, the line is collectively cut early and GENERAL RECALL is given. The start sequence passes to the other group.

At 15:20 ORC D-E-F-G's and thenfrom ORC A-B-C are making their starts. The same sweet rivalries, occasionally aggressive struggles... As the end approaches, ambitions also increase.

At the end of this race, although the committee wants to have ORC D-E-F-G race one more time, the wind shifts varying between 60-70 degrees and its inability to settle do not allow a new race.

After the day's intense race traffic, in the evening everyone heads to the club garden.

In the evening, almost all racers are in the MIYC garden. Meals are eaten together, conversations are had. Quite crowded. The 3rd leg awards of the trophy also find their owners.