HEAD TO HEAD IN BODRUM

In recent days, an earthquake, followed by an avalanche disaster, then a plane crash...

The SCHÜCO BAYK WINTER TROPHY 2nd Leg Races fell at the end of a week when weather conditions in our country were harsh and their consequences were distressing.

THE POLES ARE MELTING, BODRUM IS FREEZING

From north to south, from east to west, strong winds dominated our geography.

As the relentless southwesterly wind handed over its watch to the northeasterly, we headed down to Bodrum.

Despite our headline about the SCHÜCO BAYK WINTER TROPHY 1st Leg in Bodrum, it was even colder, even more frigid.

Cold enough to make one say, "The poles are melting, is Bodrum freezing?"

THE ENTIRE FLEET HAS OBTAINED IRC CERTIFICATES

Saturday Morning, February 8th, the briefing began under these conditions.

Chief Race Officer Ayberk OLCAY began his speech by thanking the fleet on behalf of the committee for obtaining their IRC certificates.

He stated that in measurements taken outside the harbor, the wind was blowing continuously from 330-350 degrees onto the race course and was not dropping below 20 knots.

The committee announced that they were carefully monitoring the race limits and that the boats should remain ashore for now.

It was added that the conditions would be determined according to the measurements to be made at 12:30.

CLASS DIVISIONS EVERYWHERE - ALWAYS A PROBLEM?

Meanwhile, BAYK Commodore Rıza Tevfik EPİKMEN was responding to some racers' criticisms regarding class divisions.

"We determined class quotas according to ratings, but those who have IRC certificates have the right to race in the class they choose. This has been applied before."

The boats waited for the announcement from the committee before leaving the harbor. Meanwhile, ripples had begun to form inside Bodrum Harbor due to the wind effect.

When the clock showed 12:30, it was announced that the postponement had been extended to 14:00.

At 14:00, there was no positive change. Quite the opposite, the wind was whistling through the masts as if saying "It's a holiday today, folks."

With the awaited announcement, the expected statement was made and as of 14:00, the Race Was Cancelled.

TROPHIES FIND THEIR OWNERS AT MARİNA VİSTA

The teams that couldn't meet on the race course came together in the evening at MARİNA VİSTA HOTEL.

p>

The awards for the SCHÜCO BAYK WINTER TROPHY 1st Leg races were presented to their owners at this cocktail event.

In the evening, while the wind that had been blowing without losing its strength took a breather at midnight, nearly all of Turkey was covered in snow.

The wind stopped dead at midnight.

Sunday, February 9th Poseidon, finishing his break, graced the racecourse again, but not like yesterday.

As the committee brought the start times forward and was about to complete preparations, the 38 boats that had registered took their positions near the committee boat.

LAMBS ON THE COURSE

Between Karaada and Bodrum, small waves, their disturbing spray whipping the racers like tiny lashes.

The wind is around 15-18 knots from 330 degrees.

Squalls are occasionally taking effect.

We don't even want to think about what the cold that bites us even under the canopy on the press boat is doing to the racers on the racing boats.p>

As soon as the fleet takes position on the course, the committee announces the route for IRC B and SUPPORT classes; ROUTE 1 from BAYK Routes.

According to this, after the start, boats will pass 3 buoys, round Çelebi Island, and then finish in front of Bodrum.

Approximately 15 NM route.

WHEN THE CROWDED IRC B CLASS ARRIVES AT THE BUOY TOGETHER

At 11:30 SUPPORT, and at 11:45 IRC B Classes execute their starts and begin racing on the designated route.

When this group passes the 1st turning buoy and arrives at the 2nd turning buoy, congestion and dangerous moments are experienced around the buoy.

The congestion occurs when IRC B classes, the most crowded among the racing classes, round this buoy without breaking away from each other.

VHF CALLS MADE FROM ÇELEBI ISLAND VICINITY ARE DIFFICULT TO HEAR FROM THE COMMITTEE BOAT

As the northerly wind gradually strengthens over time, the 3rd buoy is passed and course is set for Çelebi Island.

At the far western part of the course, the wind is even stronger and causes difficult moments for the boats.

Difficulties also emerge in these conditions from the announcements boats make to the committee. Distances remain far.

BUOY RACE AWAITED FOR IRC A LARA

As the clock shows 12:45, the start takes place for the buoy race designated for IRC A Classes.

The strengthening wind carries some boats to the start line too quickly, and when JOY LEMON, AURORA X, TEAM LENEA ROSSA are called OCS (on course side), they complete their penalty turns and rejoin the race.

The boats, which will do 3 windward legs and 3 leeward legs, are racing in the steadily increasing wind.

NO SPINNAKER CAN WITHSTAND THIS WIND

While blown spinnakers are being replaced, especially after 3 laps, there are none left except for one or two boats that opened spinnakers at the finish.

Meanwhile, in IRC B and SUPPORT Classes, blown spinnakers and retirements are coming one after another.

9 BOATS HEADING TO MARINA UNDER BARE POLES

When all finishes are recorded, we see that 9 boats retired from the race for various reasons and could not complete it. During this time, Bodrum Optimist sailors are training.

And they're doing slalom among the yachts.

At the end of the 2nd Leg of SCHÜCO BAYK WINTER TROPHY, the fleet, which could only complete one race in a day due to weather conditions, heads to MİLTA BODRUM MARINA, leaving behind a cold weekend.p>

SCHÜCO BAYK WINTER TROPHY 3rd Leg races will be sailed on February 29 and March 1.

AND THE RESULTS;