A FIRST IN TURKEY

   
    
The tenth edition of the FAMOUS CUP yacht races, organized continuously since 2006 by Bodrum Açıkdeniz Yelken Kulübü (B.A.Y.K.) and Milta Bodrum Marina with the contributions of VODAFONE RED and HTC at MARINA YACHT CLUB BODRUM, took place in Bodrum on June 13-14.

A first was experienced at Famous Cup this year. The race was broadcast live online from start to finish on both days. I had the honor of hosting this broadcast, which was a first in Turkey. From a broadcast center set up on a large gulet, the race was followed with multiple cameras and streamed online. It was also the first attempt at broadcasting from a moving location, a maritime environment.

    
    
    

Two Drones (aerial cameras) assisted the cameras that brought the footage to the center. In the broadcast carried out by pushing technical capabilities to their limits, only one glitch occurred. When the boat's energy capacity was insufficient for the power consumption of all equipment used for the broadcast, all appliances on the boat including the refrigerator were shut down and the broadcast continued.

Without interfering with the race course, the closest possible footage that needed to be captured was obtained until the end of the broadcast. From time to time, when the signals coming from the Drone aerial vehicles fell below broadcast quality, the production team solved this by broadcasting the footage received from these devices with a delay.

Yes, celebrities participated in the race, and this year celebrities were also guests.

    
    
    

Among those who participated in the FAMOUS CUP, which was initiated to increase interest in sailing and reach wider audiences, were celebrities including Billur Kalkavan, Mehmet Aslantuğ, Özge Ulusoy, Ece Vahapoğlu, Ecem Çalık, Pascal Nouma, Ersin Korkut, Zeynep Beşerler, Burak Hakkı, Fatih Erkoç  who set sail with the racers.

When the course was started on Saturday, June 13th, 27 boats were positioned alongside the race committee. Chief Umpire Nihat YENEL invited all competitors to a moment of silence in memory of Sadun BORO, who recently passed away. During this time, a wreath was laid at sea.

Among the yachts on the course were celebrity guests. In addition to all this, a women's racing team from Slovakia also participated in the race by chartering the ARES boat. The Bodrum course's women's team DENİZ CADILARI now had one more rival team. BAYK Commodore Ömer KARACALAR took his place on the boat on the first day to bring luck to the Slovaks and guide them on the unfamiliar course.

    
    
    

The race was set to start off Bodrum, with a turn around Kargı Island and finish back off Bodrum. The course is the same for all classes and is approximately 14 nautical miles as the crow flies. All boats racing on this geographical route are equipped with tracking devices. The devices showing the boats' positions are also intended to provide convenience for those following on the broadcast screen.

Two starts will take place in the race. After the IRC class boats make the first start, the Support class boats will start.

The wind is blowing from 200 degrees at 7-9 knots. Sufficient for the race.

With the first start at 12:30, the IRC boats begin racing on the course. We are also going live at the same time. Drones taking off at the start moments transmit images to the broadcast center along with other cameras. The gulet from which we are broadcasting is moving at the same speed in order to get a close view of the racing yachts. At 12:41, with the start of the support group boats, all classes are on the course. Half an hour after the start, the boats breaking away from each other head towards Kargı Island. As the fleet approaches the waters off Aspat, instead of the moderate wind, racing wind arrives. The 15-20 knots contribute to the fierce competition. While the IRC-1 group boats are setting spinnakers after rounding Kargı Island, those behind are on starboard tack and present beautiful images with short tacks.

When Kargı Island is rounded, the boats flying spinnakers head to the finish line on a single gybe. As the wind doesn't increase its strength further, the boats finish almost one by one.

    
    
    

At the end of the day; the boats leaving their competitors behind are ACADIA 4 – SALADE DU CHEF in IRC-1, PALMARİNA SAİLİNG-İZMİR YELKEN AKADEMİSİ in IRC-2, VOLİTAN in IRC-3, and FİNAL in the Support Class.

At the evening dinner at Marina Yacht Club, boat skippers, famous guests, press members and referees gathered together and had the opportunity to evaluate the day.

On Sunday, June 14, starts will be given again at 12:30. The geographical route again; start from Bodrum headland, leaving Kıstak Island to port and finish again off Bodrum. All classes will race on the same route of 14 nautical miles as the crow flies. Starts are divided into classes as the day before.

However, the start procedures are not at the same pace. The buoy is being set, the postponement is ending. We will broadcast live again. When we arrive at the starting area with the broadcasting boat, the entire fleet is waiting for the start procedures to begin. Wind is between 7-10 knots. This time we are broadcasting at 12:30 on Turkey’s largest video site www.izlesene.com. All procedures are being broadcast with cameras.

    
First start for IRC boats. After the start is given, many boats are called for false start, so chief umpire Nihat YENEL makes a general recall. The start will be renewed. 2nd start is clean and IRC class boats begin racing. After the upwind leg, following a turning mark, the boats hoist their spinnakers and head towards Kıstak Island. At 12:45 the IRC boats start, followed by the Support class boats at 12:55. Spinnakers are hoisted, magnificent views. Between Karaada northeast point and the mainland, the wind is coming and going. Meanwhile, a crew member on VODAFONE BOREAS boat dislocates his arm and  requests assistance. When another crew member boards the first aid boat, the team is short-handed and retires from the race.

After the fleet passes through the narrow passage at Karaada point, the wind begins to increase significantly. Initially 15 knots, then over 20 knots. The first boat to round Kıstak Island is RENAULT FARR AWAY SAILING TEAM. Followed by VICTORY-HTC SAIL TEAM and MATRAK 2.

We are taking our footage from below Kıstak Island. The slow roundings are followed by hard images of boats on upwind course. The fleet is spread apart from each other. As they approach the finish area, the wind has increased its strength considerably.

    
    

The boats, separated from each other, finish one by one and short tacks draw attention when reaching the finish line. At the end of the day; VICTORY-HTC SAIL TEAM in IRC-1, MATADOR in IRC-2, VOLİTAN in IRC-3, and SİMENİKA in the Support Class become the boats that leave their competitors behind.

Overall:

{C}1-   {C}VICTORY-HTC SAIL TEAM, MATADOR in IRC-2

{C}2-   RENAULT FARR AWAY SAILIG TEAM

{C}3-   PALMARİNA SAİLİNG-İZMİR YELKEN AKADEMİSİ

These are the boats receiving their trophies.

On Sunday evening, June 14, at the awards ceremony held at MARİNA YACHT CLUB BODRUM JAZZ BAR, after the competitors received their awards, they shook off the fatigue of the race with the heart-capturing songs and magnificent musical feast of the Fatih Erkoç & Zafer Çebi Orchestra.