Poseidon Allowed a Two-Legged Race

3 weeks ago, the CFM-BAYK WINTER TROPHY 1st Leg, which could not be held due to a severe storm, had all eyes on the 2nd Leg.

More than fifty boats, which had begun their preparations months in advance for the trophy consisting of 7 legs, had been seeing for a week that the wind would again be strong in Bodrum on February 7-8, when the 2nd Leg was scheduled to be sailed. The racers, most of whom came from outside Bodrum, had filled the Milas-Bodrum flights on Thursday and Friday. All conversations were about the weather. "Will conditions permit racing?"

On the night connecting Friday to Saturday, the wind never stopped. Those staying on boats and those accommodated in hotels were once again witnessing the intensity of the wind.

On Saturday, February 7, at the briefing, Chief Race Officer Hulki ORUZ stated that weather conditions were not suitable for safe racing. They waited inside Milta Bodrum Marina until 13:30. The race officers conducting measurements outside detected winds occasionally exceeding 50 knots and never dropping below 25 knots, and announced that the first start would be held at 12:00 on Sunday, February 8.

Such cancellations are natural in winter trophies, but their consecutive occurrence, especially the inability to conduct the first races in a crowded series like the Bodrum circuit, had already begun to upset the organization, race committee, and competitors.

When the race was cancelled, we took shelter in Yalıkavak and went from there to cover another story. The sea conditions in Yalıkavak clearly illustrated the situation.

The wind continued to blow with the same intensity through the night from Saturday to Sunday. On Sunday morning, until the last moment, the race committee boat remained at the marina, with all attention focused on the flags, announcements, and the wind instruments aboard the boats.

While everyone was saying "This race won't happen," the course invitation delighted everyone.

When we got out in front of Bodrum, although the waves weren't high, the wind was blowing from 330 degrees at 19-27 knots. It was bitterly cold, dry weather. The course preparations were complete and they were proceeding with the start sequence. A total of 51 boats in 8 classes would race. As the wind occasionally reached 30 knots during squalls, some support vessels had already taken spray over their wheelhouses from the start.

In conditions where the weather was harsh and the sea and air were cold, the Race Committee had planned 4 starts for 8 classes. With the start off Bodrum, the boats would first head to Kargı Island. Competitors in the IRC B group and Support class would return around the island and finish again off Bodrum; 14 NM as the crow flies.

After rounding Kargı Island, IRC A boats would also round Çelebi Island and finish off Bodrum; 17 NM as the crow flies (Apazcılar Holiday)

The cautious race committee had set wide intervals between the start buoys and decided to start the race with 4 separate starts. The starts, which began at 12:00, were completed with ten-minute intervals, with the final class starting at 12:30. The wide start line, cautiously approaching boats, and the fleet divided into four sections unfortunately provided us viewers with imagery that was not proportional to the intensity of the wind.

The entire fleet, so to speak, was sailing on a single tack to Kargı Island. On the IRC A boats' return from Çelebi Island, we could see a close-quarters, spinnaker-to-spinnaker tight competition. With the wind going forward at the bows, collapsing spinnakers or those dropping into a broach caused us to capture different scenes.

Between 13:55-14:41, all finishers were recorded. While taking finishes, some boats were asking over the radio whether there would be another race. The race committee announced that the day was planned as a single race.

As the saying goes, luck was on their side - a race was held, albeit a single one, without taking risks. While all boats except İSKORPİT NETSEL SAILING TEAM, which withdrew from the race due to a torn genoa in the harsh conditions, were heading back to the marina without damage, the same conversations were happening among spectators, on the airport roads, and on planes: "What Will the Weather Be Like in the 3rd Leg?"

At the end of the single race of CFM-BAYK WINTER TROPHY 2nd leg:

In IRC A 0, ARKAS-FLYING BOX,

In IRC A 1, DEFİNE,

In IRC A 2, TEKNO BARRISOL KEYİF 6,

In IRC A 3, PALMARİNA-TOKA YELKEN,

In IRC A 4, LADY SUN,

In IRC B 1, MELTEM-DENİZ CADILARI,

In IRC B 2, SUNSHINE,

In SUPPORT Class, NİL-MİLTA BODRUM MARİNA were the boats that left their competitors behind.

(You can find the extensive photos and article of the race in the March issue of YELKEN DÜNYASI.)