Final Stretch in Marmaris - ERGO-MIYC Winter Trophy 5th Leg

In Marmaris, we'll experience a weekend where we won't feel the lack of wind.

On April 20-21, when the 5th Leg of the ERGO-MIYC Winter Trophy will be sailed, many tourist facilities have already opened for the season.

While water sports stations have started serving their first guests, we're witnessing a few brave souls entering the sea.

COMING FROM THE NORTH

The winds will blow from the north. Bringing the cold.

And that's exactly what happens every 2 days.

Summer-like sun, winter-like temperature.

You can manage if you venture out.

We're at MIYC facilities on a sunny, cold morning.

The briefing is about to start.

Netsel Marina hasn't been this crowded since the beginning of 2019.

Race participants, boat visitors, guests...It's festive.

Saturday, April 20 At 10:00 AM, the briefing begins with the chief race officer's whistle at the club facilities.

CAN GIRAY (Chief Race Officer)

"A beautiful Saturday morning, the last 2 legs of our trophy. As you know, we completed a total of 12 races.

25 boats registered for this race.

We have one race remaining in IRC 3 and 4 classes.

First, we'll try to make up for that.

Looking at the standings, we're witnessing that the races have become quite competitive.

We'll give the first start to 14 IRC 1 and 2 boats, the second start to 11 IRC 3 and 4 boats.

As always, we'll determine the courses according to the weather conditions on the race course."

Bless him, the Chief Race Officer explained everything; all we had to do was record and write it down. (A piece of cake!)

That's all there is to it.

DON'T WORRY

As the boats left Netsel Marina and arrived at the race course, the wind

seemed to be saying, "Don't worry, I'm here."

The Race Committee must be excited too; the wind is northerly.

It had been a long time since a northerly start was given.

The wind blowing from 310 degrees at 6-9 knots was setting the start line in front of Yalancı Boğaz.

The committee announces in its briefing that they plan to hold 2 races for IRC 1 and 2 classes, and 3 races for IRC 3 and 4 classes over 2 racing days.

These classes are one race short in the trophy race count.

WE'RE INSIDE THE BAY

The announced course for the first race;

MIYC Course 4 E.

A triangle inside the bay, two sausages to be sailed.

Turning mark at 310 degrees, 1.5 nautical miles distance.

WIND IS INCREASING STEADILY

The first start is given to IRC 1 and 2 boats at 12:05, while the wind strength is gradually increasing.

Five minutes later at 12:10, IRC 3 and 4 classes also make their starts. Except for one boat.

DAWN, racing in IRC 3, is OCS (over the line early).

DAWN is also within the fleet after a quick return from the start line to restart.

At start time, wind is between 13-16 knots.

As the fleet heads up to mark number 1, the wind is significantly increasing its strength.

BROACHING LINE OFF MARMARIS

As the leading boats round the buoy and head towards the buoy off Mares Hotel, squalls coming from the shore cause the boats to broach.

The inshore line between buoys 1 and 3 is very dangerous for the teams.

Getting into difficulty with incoming squalls, or being unable to move forward with decreased wind when you gather in the spinnakers.

A tough decision.

Boats with strong crews, prepared for all conditions, are gaining the advantage.

WALK MY SERVANT

The increase in wind is buttering the bread for the heavy boats too.

Poseidon is telling them "Walk my servant".

Meanwhile, we also witness helmsmen on boats with crew coordination and shortages coming forward to help with dousing the spinnaker.

Once the fleet completes the triangle and starts running on the downwind leg, everything falls into place.

SERHAT BEY HAS ARRIVED

Those who adapt to the changing wind directions and varying strength are also passing the buoys comfortably.p>

On the LEMON yacht today we see our dear Serhat ALTAY.

Whether there is any change in the team's performance and consistency will be revealed by the results.

Finishes are very rarely single-boat affairs. This shows that the neck-and-neck competition continues until the very end.

When the finishes are taken at the end of the first race;

In IRC 1, LEMON (Onur TOK)

In IRC 2, COREDON CHEESE (Güney KAPTAN)

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

In IRC 4, ÇAKIL (Zafer ÖZNUR)

are the boats leaving their competitors behind.

THE DAY'S 2ND RACE?

Immediately afterwards, the race committee plans another race for IRC 3 and 4 classes.

They had shortfalls, it was said, so let them complete them, and while there's wind.

While the wind is blowing between 20-25 knots, IRC 1 and 2 classes head towards Netsel marina.

Quick preparations around the committee boat.

The wind breaking off from the Marmaris coastline with squalls literally tosses the boats around like reeds at the start line.

Geographic Route G-1 is announced from MIYC Routes.

The boats will head out of the bay.

If it's like this here, what must the weather be like out there?

First one, then another small boat behind, announcing they won't be able to participate in the 2nd race as the conditions will be too heavy for them.

Following their announcements, the committee makes the expected announcement at 15:10.

IT'S BREAKING OUTSIDE

"Due to measurements taken outside the bay showing winds blowing at 30 knots level and increasing wave heights, the 2nd Race is cancelled.

As the boats head towards Netsel Marina, the committee's accurate decision is being discussed.

The intention to hold the race until the very end and the decision not to compromise on safety.

In the evening, in the club garden, the dry, ice-cold air left over from winter can't dampen the sailors' spirits.

JACK OF ALL TRADES

As the ERGO MIYC Winter Trophy 4th Leg awards find their owners, fish are grilling on the barbecue for the guests.p>

At the barbecue, there's young referee Onur USLU.

Working day and night without rest.

21 APRIL SUNDAY

The sun is up high, what does it matter if it's cold.

That's exactly the situation when going out on the course.

The committee announces that MIYC Route G 1 will be sailed for all classes.

We'll head out of the bay and round Karga Taşı Island.

WIND SHIFTING BACK AND FORTH

The wind is constantly shifting direction between 300-335 degrees.

When the fleet arrives at the windward marks, the committee, having almost set the course, detects that this direction change has reached 50 degrees and issues a postponement at the last moment.

Echo "Y" flag hoisted. Personal flotation devices must be worn.

As soon as the wind settles at 350 degrees, mark adjustment and starting procedures begin.

At 12:20, IRC 1 and 2 classes start, followed 5 minutes later at 12:25 by IRC 3 and 4 classes.

Strong wind brings strong starts.

No chance for us to reach the windward mark.

Off to the Strait exit.

THE STRAIT CHANGES EVERYTHING

From here we see how the different wind effect inside the bay changes according to locations.

The spinnakers are collapsing and filling alternately.

LEMON is the first to enter the strait. She is followed by MERSİN YELKEN AKADEMİSİ and SÜTLAÇ-GÖKOVA YELKEN KULÜBÜ.

As soon as the leaders enter the strait, the other boats of the fleet are also in the strait.

Today the middle channel in the strait is working well. We witness course losses along the shores.

Those in the right area are seizing the advantage.

Among the heavy boats, ALEXSANDRA helmed by Bülent GÖRGÜN, despite losing time at the same points again, continues rapidly on her course by using the incoming squalls correctly.

Especially the way she comes to the finish...Heavy Bro.

This time, arriving at Karga Taşı Island, SÜTLAÇ-GÖKOVA YELKEN KULÜBÜ helmed by Mahmut SARAL is in the lead, followed by LEMON and the consistent team MERSİN YELKEN AKADEMESİ helmed by Oytun ÇALIŞLAR.

The fleet completing their island circuits enters the bay without losing wind power.

In these positions, the wind swiftly carries the fleet to the finish line.

After stylish finishes;

In IRC 1, LEMON (Onur TOK)

In IRC 2, COREDON CHEESE (Güney KAPTAN)

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

In IRC 4, BOOMERANG (Sedar ŞAHİN)

Are the boats leaving their competitors behind.

THIS LEG ENDS HERE

The committee announces that there will be no new race as boats finish, inviting the fleet to the final leg.

In the end, the race committee, famous for managing to organize races no matter what, closes the day without being able to run one more race for IRC 3 and 4 classes.

The ERGO-MIYC Winter Trophy, consisting of 6 Legs, will hold its 6th and final Leg yacht races on May 11-12.

As we reach the final leg, the boats holding the lead in their classes are;

In IRC 1, LEMON (Onur TOK)

In IRC 2, COREDON CHEESE (Güney KAPTAN)

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

In IRC 4, CLAVELLA (Leo KOLF)

They are the leaders.