PROTEST CELEBRATION IN MARMARIS - ERGO-MIYC Winter Trophy 3rd Leg

We've left February behind and entered March, and the Marmaris course race falls on March 4-5. We're in Marmaris for the ERGO-MIYC Winter Trophy 3rd Leg Yacht Races, organized by MIYC with ERGO as the main sponsor.

In Marmaris, the atmosphere is the complete opposite of the trophy's 2nd Leg. While we were freezing during the 2nd Leg, we're now practically saying hello to summer. Flowers have bloomed, nature is generously presenting all shades of green.

Gloves, beanies, and even jackets in camera bags are declared redundant and left at the hotel.

We're staying at the same hotel as the race committee, and the topic is always the weather. Before us lies a flat calm sea; "If You Continue Like This, I Won't Let You Race" it seems to say. The race officers are pensive, clearly thinking "How can we catch the wind and run the race?"

As Press Members, we can't make it to the 09:30 morning briefing, we're running late. Marmaris streets and avenues are preparing for the season, like a war zone. Everywhere is closed, full of holes, construction, barriers. As if this weren't enough, there's a 2-day "Marmaris Duathlon" in the town. Because of this, when roads are closed, we barely make it to the press boat.

For the first time in a long while, we're missing the briefing. Although, in recent briefings held everywhere, the race officers keep repeating "Conditions are uncertain, all decisions will be made on the water."

Anyway, let's not make excuses and board our boat. The sea is flat, Marmaris Quay presents us with its familiar views. We catch our breath beside the race committee boat. No need to look closely, it's obvious even from far away that the race officers are thoughtful. In place of the catamaran committee boat that was hit by yachts during the 2 Leg starts, a different but similar one is on duty.

The thoughtful race officials are measuring the wind, discussing, trying to find solutions. The wind is in "stubborn as a mule" mode, not a trace. Who are the first to enter the flat calm sea on such a sunny day? Of course, the Russian racers. If they go in, can't the Turks go in? Of course they can. But there's no sign of the Dutch racing team. They're dressed warmly, haven't even taken off their sweaters.

What probably dampens the morale of the race officials trying to organize the race the most are those swimming in the sea and the boats that turn up their cabin speakers in the middle of the course listening to Black Sea jokes.

After a while, the sight of open but unfilled sails is disrupted by the occasional billowing spinnakers. Hope grows in the fleet, and Poseidon, saying "That's Enough For You," gifts the Marmaris course with wind that will change direction throughout the day but blow at 5-7 knots.

Happiness and movement are noticed among the race officials. Race preparations begin. The 28 racing yachts finally fill their sails and start circling around the committee boat.p>

Chief Race Officer Can GİRAY announces that the first race of the day will be held inside the gulf and will be run on an offset buoy, sausage course. Start and Finish lines are in Marmaris, turning buoys are off Yalancı Boğaz. Wind is blowing from 135 degrees at 5-7 Knots.

With the wind at the lower limit, IRC 1 groups start first at 13:05, followed by IRC 2 and Support groups at 13:10.

With insufficient wind, dull starts and the fleet is struggling to make progress on the course. At times the wind drops to 3 knots. As the boats approach Yalancı Boğaz, the wind strength increases. However, it appears to be dying off Marmaris. In fact, it's almost trying to shift 180 degrees.

As the direction begins to shift significantly, at 13:58 the Race Committee shortens the course for all groups, reducing the two-lap course to a single lap.

As those who passed the turning marks started their sail with spinnakers, the wind had completely shifted.

The boats are crossing the finish line one by one, but LEMON and ALEXSANDRA racing in the IRC 1 group are requesting a correction from the Race Committee due to significant wind direction changes. However, their request is rejected by the Protest Committee with the determination that no breach of fairness occurred as the course was shortened.

Similarly, HAYTA racing in the IRC 2 group files a protest against İZMİR YELKEN-KAYK for blocking her path with tacks while approaching the finish line. After the hearing; İZMİR YELKEN-KAYK is found at fault and disqualified.

At a glance, at the end of the 3 Nautical Mile Race 1;

In IRC 1, GOBLIN 3-CANGROUP SİGORTA (Aslan Kaan İŞ)

In IRC 2, HAYTA (Zafer ÖZNUR)

In IRC 3, M2 (Mustafa TEZCAN)

In IRC 4, BLUE BIRD 2-ERGO (Mehmet ÖZDAŞ)

are the boats that left their competitors behind.p>

Subsequently, the Race Committee begins preparations for the 2nd race of the day. The wind is now blowing from 250 degrees at 7-8 knots. MIYC's 5 A course will be applied. Another race of 6 nautical miles will take place within the bay as the crow flies.

At 16:05, in the start given to IRC 1 and IRC 2 groups, GÖKOVA, LEMON and İZMİR YELKEN-KAYK jump the gun. After these boats complete their penalty turns and take their positions on the course, at 16:10 IRC 3, IRC 4 and Support groups also execute their starts. In this start, ROSSINANTE also jumps the gun and restarts.

The fleet races with buoys set at 90-degree angles without any change in wind direction or strength. The group leaders and following boats race with great attention to their starts and runs without compromising stability.

At the end of the race;

In IRC 1: GOBLIN 3-CANGROUP SİGORTA (Aslan Kaan İŞ)

In IRC 2: HAYTA (Zafer ÖZNUR)

In IRC 3: BOOMERANG – UK SAIL (Serdar ŞAHİN)

In IRC 4: BLUE BIRD 2-ERGO (Mehmet ÖZDAŞ)

boats that left their competitors behind.

In the evening, a barbecue party awaits the racers again at the Marmaris International Yacht Club facilities. After 2 races, the teams arrive at the ceremony area. The barbecue party begins, the day's footage is playing on the screen, but the protest committee session just won't end. Long, very long. Finally, a decision is reached and the award ceremony for the 2nd Leg races begins. We said that summer arrived in Marmaris during the day, well, this applies at night too.

On Sunday morning, March 5th, we wake up to a view of a flat, calm sea within the mist. No wind today. A leisurely breakfast, then heading to the press boat, sailing alongside the committee boat, and at that moment the wind picks up. Must be race officer's luck.

Chief Race Officer Can GİRAY announces that a geographical course will be applied for the day's single race. All groups will race on a course with Marmaris inner harbor start, Karga Taşı Island mark rounding and two buoy roundings in Marmaris inner harbor, covering approximately 14 nautical miles as the crow flies.

Start sequences are the same again. Wind is blowing from 135 degrees at 9-10 Knots. With starts given at 11:30 and 11:35, the fleet begins racing on the course.

As the fleet approaches the strait on a single tack, they proceed with tacks upon entering the strait. On the island turns, the genoas hand over their watch to the spinnakers, gifting us beautiful views. Of course, some fill the spinnakers well, others turn them into candles. Well done to all, they all make great shots for our cameras.

The downwind sailing with spinnakers in Marmaris inner harbor turns into upwind sailing at the mark rounding. After rounding the last mark in front of Yalancı Boğaz, the finishes are completed with the final spinnaker leg of the 3rd course.

Race results;

IRC 1: GOBLIN 3-CANGROUP SİGORTA (Aslan Kaan İŞ)

IRC 2: HAYTA (Zafer ÖZNUR)

In IRC 3, BOOMERANG UK SAIL (Serdar ŞAHİN)

In IRC 4, BLUE BIRD 2-ERGO (Mehmet ÖZDAŞ)

are the boats leaving their competitors behind.

The yacht THE BLUE JOY is protested by the committee for objecting to the announced "Y" flag requirement (mandatory life jackets) and is disqualified at the end of the hearing.

While the 3rd leg of the 4-leg ERGO-MIYC Winter Trophy takes place in spring-like Marmaris weather, it witnesses protests and long hearings at an intensity we haven't seen here or in many races for a long time.

You can find various visuals and technical details of the race in the April issue of YELKEN DÜNYASI Magazine.