Bodrum Trophy Regatta Successfully Completed

Three weeks after the 6th Leg was sailed, the teams gathered in Bodrum on May 20-21 for the final leg of the 7-leg trophy. Most crews had already started their preparations and training a day earlier.

However, on Saturday, May 20, the expected heavy weather was relentlessly maintaining its effect on the course. At the morning briefing, Principal Race Officer Ayberk OLCAY stated that due to the harsh conditions, boats should not leave Milta Bodrum Marina until further announcement.

Indeed, throughout the day's measurements, the wind continued without decreasing its strength. The committee, informing the boats via radio at regular intervals, finally announced that racing would not be possible for that day.

On Sunday, May 21st, the winds had decreased their effect in the region, and the committee had already prepared the course. A perfect 16.5-mile course had been prepared for IRC B and Support groups. The boats starting together in front of Bodrum would round a windward mark, then round Çelebi Island and Köçek Shoal, and finish again in front of Bodrum.

After the start of this group, since the wind was changing in direction, the start of the buoy race planned for IRC A groups was being delayed.

When IRC B and Support groups reached the Çelebi Island turn, the wind blowing at 12 knots at the start was pushing 17-20 knots. Especially the boats flying spinnakers were occasionally having difficult moments at these turns and causing their competitors to catch up.

Meanwhile, IRC A groups had already started the buoy race in front of Bodrum. As the IRC B and Support boats, adapting to the wind changing between 140-160 degrees according to positions, were coming from Köçek Shoal to the finish, rating calculations and predictions had started to be made.

At the end of the 6th Leg, except for one group, the leaders in all groups were clearly ahead. The competition was mainly showing itself outside the leaders, generally for second and third place.

While IRC B and Support boats were finishing rapidly under the effect of increasing wind, preparations for the 2nd Buoy Race of the day had begun for IRC A groups. The committee, adapting to the directional change of wind, gave the start for this group as soon as they completed the course preparation.

Once all groups completed their finishes, eyes turned to the trophy results. The awaited news came close to the start of the closing ceremony.

The competitors came to the Ceremony area wearing their most unique and beautiful outfits for the traditional CFM BAYK Winter Trophy Closing Ceremony. After BAYK Commodore Ömer KARACALAR made the opening speech of the evening, the trophies for the 6th and then 7th leg races were presented to their owners.

Finally, trophies were awarded to those who earned them for the trophy that continued throughout the winter season.

At the end of the CFM-BAYK Winter Trophy 7th Leg,

In IRC A 0, ARKAS-FLYING BOX(Serhat ALTAY)

In IRC A 1, DEFİNE(Selim KAKIŞ)

In IRC A 2, MARİNA VİSTA KEYİF 60(Yiğit EROĞLU)

In IRC A 3, KARAVIDA-CHEESE SAILING(Alp DOĞULU)

In IRC A 4, LADY SUN(Cengiz YAZGAN)

In IRC B 1, ZAGUN(Zafer GÜNEL)

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

NAVITA(Burhan KURNE) in SUPPORT

Boats that won the 1st Place Trophy Cups in their Groups

This year as well, the participants experiencing the bittersweet feeling of reaching the end of a winter trophy with its wind, calm weather, cold, heat, rain, and hail, were bidding farewell to the Bodrum Course with an unforgettable awards evening accompanied by Latin music performed on stage.

WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT THE TROPHY;

Ömer KARACALAR

(BAYK Commodore-Milta Bodrum Marina General Manager)

According to my calculation, this should be the 15th year of this trophy. We are witnessing how rapidly the years have passed. We had started with concern at first. Would there be participation, if so how many boats, could we succeed.

When we reached these days, we achieved a fleet of 52 boats. The organization and logistics of this requires a lot of effort. You're racing 400 people, it's not easy.

We enjoy this work, we take pride in doing it.

Ayberk OLCAY

(Chief Race Officer)

We took on the duty after the 4th leg of the Trophy. As a team; we endeavored to ensure transparent, honest and fair races for everyone. We set up proper courses. The winds sometimes made our job easier while occasionally putting us in difficulty.

Particularly, the installation of buoy-supported Geographic courses was welcomed with appreciation by the participants.

This year the winter trophy hosted the youngest race officer in its history. We hope we have not betrayed the trust of those who gave us this duty.

Serhat ALTAY

(ARKAS FLYING BOX)

As Arkas Sailing Team, we think we did good things. It was a good training process for us before the Saint Tropez races. We experienced the adaptation process to our new mast that came at the beginning of the Trophy. In an incredible work effort, we train every day during the week. As a result, we raced consistently. We completed 6 legs of the 7-leg trophy in first place. We came here first in 11 out of 15 races. This broke our competitors' resistance.. Now the Saint Tropez races are the target.

Zafer GÜNEL

(ZAGUN TEAM)

I think we finished a very successful trophy. Participation was high, racing took place in winter without loss of life or property. Since IRC B groups had more races, they were able to discard their bad races. But IRC A groups could only complete the races they had to do. I think everyone is leaving happy and dreaming of next year.

Mustafa SÖYLER

(BLUES 1-ÇORLU SAILING TEAM)

The trophy gained color especially after the race Committee changed. We, as people from Çorlu, are achieving the success of living together. The winds were very nice, we had healthy races. What saddens us is that only sailing magazines treat us as if we don't exist in IRC B and Support classes. Except for you, all pictures, all news are used from IRC A boats. These things sadden us. While they spend effort and money, we show the same effort. Hopefully this situation will be corrected and we will be encouraged.

Targan HAZARHUN

(VICTORY)

In my opinion, whether it's Marmaris, Bodrum, Istanbul, wherever it is, we should stop dealing with the Referees. Whether they do right or wrong, they are our referees. If it continues like this, there will be no referees left to manage races. Of course, clubs should not discourage us either.

Kaan ÖZGÖNENÇ

(DERE CONSTRUCTION-ANYTHING)

The trophy, which was problematic until the 3rd Leg, became nice with the change of the race committee.

Now races are not stubbornly held on days when there is little or too much wind. As a team, everything of ours was renewed with the boat. We got used to our new boat, we got to know it. We found the opportunity to see our deficiencies and complete them. From now on, we will come to other races and of course next year again to the CFM BAYK Winter trophy.