WARM TROPHY START IN BODRUM'S WINTER CHILL

BAYK, the experienced club of winter trophies, started its 2020 trophy journey with SCHÜCO as the main sponsor.

SCHÜCO has been sponsoring the AURORA X yacht for many years and continues to do so.

Thanks to this support, experienced BAYK has had the opportunity to organize its events more powerfully and colorfully.

Let's start our article by introducing SCHÜCO, which contributes to the Sailing Community and steps up to support.

MAIN SPONSOR SCHÜCO

Schüco develops and sells window, door, facade, sliding systems, security technology systems and sun shading systems. Building envelope specialists offer innovative products for residential and commercial buildings, as well as consulting and digital solutions at every stage of the building construction project process, from initial concept to design, manufacturing and installation.

With over 5,400 employees worldwide, Schüco works with the goal of being the industry leader of today and tomorrow in terms of the technology and services it provides.

Worldwide, 12,000 installers, planners, architects and investors work with Schüco.

The company operates in over 80 countries and achieved an annual turnover of 1.670 billion Euros in 2018.

At the SCHÜCO-BAYK WINTER TROPHY 1st Leg held on January 18-19, the freezing cold brought by the Poyraz wind truly dominated the Bodrum course.

GREAT INTEREST IN THE BRIEFING

The regulars of this traditional trophy; new crews, different boats and those with the desire to stay competitive throughout this long-running series came to the briefing area.

As almost all team members attended the briefing, the meeting was started in a larger venue.

The Briefing began with the welcoming speech of BAYK Commodore Rıza Tevfik EPİKMEN.

The Commodore thanked the main sponsor first and foremost, as well as all sponsors, participants and those involved in the organization.

"THIS STAFF, THIS SAIL HAS GROWN SO FAST"

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Chief Race Officer Ayberk OLCAY reminded the general rules and provided information about the trophy consisting of 7 legs.

He announced that they planned to conduct 21 races for IRC A classes and 14 races each for IRC B and SUPPORT Classes over 7 legs.

Reminding the Life Jacket Rules, Fair Sailing and their sensitivity regarding equipment declared on decks, he invited the teams to the course for the first leg.

JANUARY 18 - SATURDAY - 35 BOATS ON THE COURSE

When the 35 boats registered at Bodrum Milta Marina headed out to the course under the influence of the northeasterly wind that had been blowing for days, the wind was neither dropping below racing limits nor rising much above them.

It was evident from the squall movements over the sea that it varied according to location.

The committee had prepared the course, and routes were now being announced.

IRC B and SUPPORT Classes would race ROUTE-5 from the BAYK Routes.

A geographical route of approximately 16.5 nautical miles.

IRC A Classes would compete in a 2-buoy race.

While the wind was showing 8 knots from 330 degrees, first the SUPPORT and then the IRC B classes completed their starts.

EXEMPLARY PENALTY

The Protest Committee issued a 10 percent time penalty to ARMADOR without a hearing, for showing off at the starting line despite not having its own start.

As the boats found themselves on the course after two weak starts and set course for the turning buoy, the wind began its directional shifts.

PLAY ON WIND, PLAY ON

These fluctuations continued non-stop throughout the day.

At times, shifts of up to 80 degrees occurred.

The race committee, monitoring these fluctuations, announced that they would conduct a coastal race on the same route for IRC A class as well, without taking risks.

Additionally, they announced that if the race finished early and the wind remained within racing limits, they would also run a buoy race.

As the IRC A classes completed their starts and appeared on the course, the wind began to fade for the leading group approaching Görecek Island.

Spinnakers were deflating and efforts were showing themselves, while off Bodrum where the IRC A class was racing together, the wind was reaching 13 knots.

Just as we thought "there goes the buoy race," we could also see serious changes in wind direction on the compass.

The decision was correct. Long live the Coastal race.

THE BODRUM COURSE ADVANTAGE

The fleet's eye is on the west of Görecek Island.

Because the wind from afar seems to say "Come here." The color of the sea has darkened in that location.

"Can we say this is the Bodrum difference?"

ÇELEBİ ISLAND MARK IS UNREACHABLE

For those who committed themselves to this position, the "Çelebi Island Mark is Unreachable" struggle has now begun.

Changing wind directions keep extending the routes, and Çelebi Island just won't come.

OH SOPRANO

On the return from Çelebi Island mark, the wind is decreasing its strength again.

The fleet is setting course for Köçek Shoal for the final mark rounding.

While the leaders are tacking around the shoal, an announcement comes from SOPRANO, the consistent team of the Winter Trophies, that they are retiring from the race.

The boat ran aground on the Köçek Shoal mark rounding.

Later, when we see the damage to the keel of the boat that was hauled out at Milta Bodrum Marina, we really say get well soon.

THE WIND'S STUBBORN DIRECTION CHANGES STILL CONTINUE

As the boats that set course from Köçek Island to the finish line in front of Bodrum completed their finishes, although the wind power increased significantly, the changes in direction prevented the committee from conducting the buoy race for IRC A class.

GRILLED MEATBALLS-CAKE-GIFTS

The high participation in the evening opening cocktail at Milta Bodrum Marina MARINA CLUB was remarkable.

In the beautiful, carefully prepared organization, meatballs grilled under the lanterns were served to guests, while Milta Bodrum Marina's stylish opening cake attracted attention.

At the end of the evening, Milta Marina presented gifts to all participants as the racers gradually began flowing to Bodrum venues.

LET'S COMPLETE THE DAY WITHOUT FREEZING

January 19, Sunday: Cold, Cold, Very Cold course.

The wind is stronger at the same hours compared to the day before.

The committee called the fleet to the course early with supplementary instructions, and they were right to do so.

After the early preparations, the committee announced that IRC B and SUPPORT Classes would race ROUTE 15 from the BAYK Routes.

The boats in this group would race on a course of approximately 18.5 nautical miles, starting in front of Bodrum, rounding Çelebi Island and Karaada.p>

The starts are taking place with the wind blowing from 330 degrees at 8-12 knots.

We witness that especially the Support group starts are not dynamic despite the current wind, and the boats are literally crossing the start line as if they're cruising.

THERE'S A SQUALL IN THE GEOGRAPHY

As both groups pass the turning mark and head toward Görecek Island, we witness the wind getting increasingly stronger in these areas.

Those who encounter the squall, and those who gradually start to retire from the race due to conditions.

Burst spinnakers, broken halyards...

IRC A'S REACH THEIR MARKS

With the wind blowing from 340 degrees at 12-15 knots, the IRC A Class starts a 2-lap offset mark race.

Although the wind shows slight changes in direction, its strength never drops and even increases from time to time.

As the IRC A Classes complete their first buoy turn, the committee is preparing for the second race on the same course.

The buoys are being adjusted according to the changing wind direction.

The wind has increased significantly, the lambs are starting to grow.

The starts are taking place with wind blowing from 300 degrees at 18-25 knots.

The fast start witnesses a foredeck incident.

AS THE RECONNAISSANCE LEG COMES TO AN END

As the fleet starts sailing fast, they get the opportunity to measure and get to know their competitors and tactics for the remaining 6 legs ahead.

Already on this leg, we notice boats that are very well prepared for the trophy, though we prefer to mention their names after a couple more legs.

Their maneuvers, racing styles, and team spirit are captured by the lenses.

As the IRC A classes complete their finishes, the IRC B and SUPPORT classes also complete their races on the long and cold course and head towards the marina.

At the end of the race, we can say that;

Despite the number of boats in Bodrum not being that high, we are witnessing a new wave of excitement.

We hope that this excitement and enthusiasm will continue to grow exponentially throughout the trophy series.

Since the new IRC certificates for 2020 have not been completed, BAYK has published a timeline for this leg.

SCHÜCO-BAYK WINTER TROPHY 2nd Leg races will take place on February 8-9, and the results will be finalized on these dates.