R 1 Route Week - ERGO-MIYC Winter Trophy 4th Leg

On April 6-7, the Ergo-Miyc Winter Trophy 4th Leg yacht races were held on the Marmaris course.

Until the last day, meteorology sites indicated that harsh weather conditions would dominate Marmaris during the days when the race would take place.

We entered the first race day with no change in all forecasts.

WIND...RAIN...WIND...RAIN...

The southerly wind that started forcefully at midnight began to stir up Marmaris and its sea, bringing rain along with it in the morning.

The briefing held on Saturday morning, April 6, could only be conducted in the covered area in the MIYC garden due to the heavy rain.

The severe wind and rain seemed to say, "I'm here, act accordingly."

In all races, the committee always tries to push the conditions and ensure racing takes place no matter what - what will they do this time, that's the question.

What will Chief Umpire Can GİRAY say about this situation?

CAN GİRAY

"We were following the weather conditions beforehand, but as you can see, today the conditions are challenging the race.

p>

In this course, we had raised the race wind limit up to 30 knots with MIYC management. Despite this decision, we are observing through measurements conducted both at sea and on land that the wind is much stronger due to intense downpours.

For your safety, we advise you to stay ashore.

Provided conditions do not change, we will issue a one-hour postponement at our start time of 12:00.

According to weather forecast reports, the wind is expected to strengthen even more in the coming hours.

You will be informed if there is any change in conditions."

VESSELS IN THE MARINA HEADING TO SHELTER

After the briefing, the wind strengthened even more, and the rain intensified its effect.

When the clock struck 12:00, a one-hour postponement was announced.

Meanwhile, we were witnessing some commercial vessels anchored and moored in Marmaris Bay heading towards Yalancı Boğaz for shelter.

Conditions had become quite severe.

Postponement, postponement, and postponement.

When the clock showed 15:00, it was definitively announced that the race could not be held.

Conditions did not improve despite the committee's insistence on this decision. The weather kept getting worse and worse.

WE AWAITED THE DÖNER

The Ergo-Miyc Winter Trophy 3rd Leg award ceremony took place in the evening under weather conditions that continued without losing any of their strength or effect.

The food, drinks, and participants joyfully squeezed into the limited covered area in the club garden.

Could it get any more cheerful?

DID THEY COME IN DROVES OR WHAT?

At the beginning of the award ceremony, president Cem TEKDAĞ made a brief speech on behalf of the new MIYC management.

"Your participation in our ceremony in this cramped setting honors us.

We hope tomorrow will have more favorable weather.

We've also moved tomorrow's start time from 12:00 to 11:00.

We wish you all a good time."

The new board of directors under the chairmanship of Cem TEKDAĞ, who will carry the club's flag for a term, includes:

Zafer ÖZNUR,

Halit Metin KESGİN,

Gökhan BEĞÇE,

Serap AKARSU,

Erol ALGÜL and

Ali Ersel DÜZENLİ have taken their positions.

RAIN UNTIL MORNING

The rain didn't stop during the night, it continued until morning.

In the morning, we woke up to a Marmaris with barely any rain, the southerly wind having spent its fury, and overcast skies.

The fleet, which couldn't race the day before, is heading out to the course an hour earlier.

A total of 27 boats competing in 4 groups are gathering around the committee boat, while course preparations are being finalized.

The wind is blowing steadily from 135 degrees without a degree of deviation.

At 9 knots.

The committee announces that the R-1 course from the MIYC routes will be sailed in the first race.

Start is in front of Marmaris, buoy number 1 is in Yalancı Boğaz area at a distance of 1.45 nautical miles.

All classes will race on the same course. The buoy race where boats will complete 2 laps will be approximately 6 nautical miles.

At 11:05, IRC 1 and 2, followed by IRC 3 and 4 classes at 11:10, make their starts and begin racing.

Course is set towards buoy number 1 with moderate wind.

When the leaders reach the buoy, the wind in this area drops to 4 knots. It continues to blow at 4-5 knots for a long period.

While IRC 1 and 2 are making their turns, the IRC 3 and 4 classes that made the second start fall far behind with the dropping wind.

These conditions continue for a long time.

While light boats catch the advantage, the heavy ones wait for the wind to strengthen.

Among the sluggish turns, the competition between Mersin Yelken Akademisi and Sütlaç Gökova Yelken Kulübü teams draws attention.

This duel between the two continues throughout the day.

THE LATE CLOSING BALLOON MORE HARM THAN GOOD....

As the fleet comes to the gate turns, the wind starts to strengthen. Those who still haven't closed their spinnakers at these positions are both getting into difficult situations and losing time.

While finishes are being taken, it is announced that the 2nd race of the day will be held.

While IRC 1 and 2 complete their finishes and wait for the 2nd Race, IRC 2 and 3 are trying to complete their finishes.

In IRC 4 Class, 3 boats cannot complete their finishes within the finish time limit. In the same class, one boat also retires from the race.

At the end of the day's first race;

In IRC 1, MERSİN YELKEN AKADEMİSİ (Oytun ÇALIŞLAR)

In IRC 2, FIFTY FIFTY-NISSAN (BARTU ÖZSOY)

In IRC 3, DAWN (Altuğ YANARDAĞ)

In IRC 4, BOOMERANG (Serdar ŞAHİN)

are the boats leaving their competitors behind.

GIVE US ANOTHER R-1

The Committee announces the same course for the day's 2nd Race, R-1. Wind from the same direction, no changes to the marks.

All groups will race on this course again.

At moments when the wind doesn't drop below 10-12 knots, at 13:05 the starts of IRC 1 and IRC 2 classes take place.

Meanwhile, IRC 3 and 4 groups, having completed their finishes, execute their 13:35 starts and take their positions on the course.

THE FLEET IS ACCELERATING

With the wind strengthening compared to the 1st race, the fleet displays a faster and more competitive appearance.

The competitors in the leading positions of the groups are racing much more carefully.

Especially the mark roundings create beautiful scenes of competition.

When the fleet reaches the gate roundings, the wind increases even more.

Those who approach this position with the spinnaker but fail to close it out are repeating the same mistakes, wasting their time unnecessarily.

JUST AS WE THOUGHT WE'D RETURN TO THE MARINA...

The increasing wind carries the fleet swiftly to the finish line. Just as the finishes begin and we think "That's it, we can return to the marina," the committee boat announces that the 3rd race of the day will be held for IRC 1 and 2 classes.

At the end of the day's 2nd race:

In IRC 1: MERSİN YELKEN AKADEMİSİ (Oytun ÇALIŞLAR)

In IRC 2: FIFTY FIFTY-NISSAN (BARTU ÖZSOY)

In IRC 3: KAYK APAZ-KOMURCUOGLU (Doğukan KANDEMİR)

In IRC 4: KAÇAMAK (Ali TOKER)boats that leave their competitors behind.

THE GRASSHOPPER THAT COULDN'T JUMP YESTERDAY JUMPED 3 TIMES TODAY

Looking at the committee's determination to hold races in previous regattas, we always thought, "I wonder what day the grasshopper won't be able to jump?"

We saw that racing couldn't be held yesterday, today they made up for it with 3 jumps...

The course is of course the same; R-1

Wind; at 14-16 knots.

With the start taking place at 14:40, the boats are on the course for the last time.

There is no decrease in the wind strength.

Battle photos are coming out now, the old ones are in the bin.

With the strong wind, the heavy boats are coming into their own and starting to challenge their competitors.

When the finishes of the 3rd race of the day were taken;

In IRC 1, ALEXANDRA (Ahmet E YORGANCI-Bülent GÖRGÜN)

In IRC 2, FIFTY FIFTY-NISSAN (BARTU ÖZSOY)

are the boats that leave their competitors behind.

If you let go of the boats' helms, they'll go to the R-1 course by themselves now.

We've completed the race count.

We'll also find our way to Netsel Marina.

Equipment is almost being stowed while under way.

There are racers who will catch flights, return to Istanbul by car, or even by motorcycle.

Hasty pack-ups, quick farewells...

The 5th leg of the Ergo-Miyc Winter Trophy will be held on April 20-21.

In 2 weeks.

As we enter the final 2 legs of the Ergo-Miyc Winter Trophy, the boats leading in their groups are;

In IRC 1, MERSİN YELKEN AKADEMİSİ (Oytun ÇALIŞLAR)

In IRC 2, FIFTY FIFTY-NISSAN (BARTU ÖZSOY)

In IRC 3, KAYK APAZ-KOMURCUOGLU (Doğukan KANDEMİR)

In IRC 4, BOOMERANG (Serdar ŞAHİN)

are the leaders.