THIS COURSE CREATES WIND OUT OF THIN AIR

I had followed the first leg of the Trophy, witnessed the organization and fleet that accelerated on the Marmaris course, raising the bar ever higher.

Due to the earthquake days that intervened, followed by my overseas travels, I was only able to make my way to Marmaris for the 5th Leg.

I encounter picture-perfect weather on the racing days of April 22-23.

Meteorological forecasts indicate very light winds on Saturday, with sufficient wind for racing on Sunday.

Crowded Marmaris has already said " Welcome " to summer.

APRIL 22 SATURDAY

The classic Briefing begins at 10:00 at MIYC Facilities.

Chief Umpire Ezgi Kalaycı blows the whistle.

As always, trophy participants show due diligence to the briefing.

At the 5th Leg of the trophy that has settled in over 4 legs, Kalaycı begins her remarks by wishing "Happy Holidays" and makes a few reminders.

She announces that with the published Supplementary Instructions, the organization has increased from 16 races to 18 races that need to be completed during the Trophy.

32 boats have registered, with 12 competing in IRC 0-1 classes,

and 20 boats racing in IRC 2-3-4 classes, it is announced.

With expectations of low winds, there's talk of the possibility that the fleet may remain postponed ashore, and requests to follow announcements on VHF Channel 71.

FOGGY OVERCAST COURSE

We head out to the course in foggy, overcast weather.

We don't lose hope, but the local wind announcements coming through VHF Channel 71 aren't very encouraging.

Course officials are taking measurements in every area; results aren't exceeding 3 knots.

At one point, wind entering the course seems to give a glimpse in the 130-160 degree range.

Wait, wait and wait.

THE WAITING COMMITTEE HAS FOUND ITS WIND

Finally, when the wind determined to blow from 130 degrees settles at 9-12 knots, activity begins on the course.

When measurements taken inside the harbor confirm that the position to race the fleet will be between Marmaris Castle Front and Yalancı Boğaz, preparations

accelerate.

The fleet includes 7 Russian and 1 Dutch team.

At moments when it's clear the sun is determined not to show itself, the committee announces that Route-5 from the MIYC Routes will be sailed.

At 12:30, IRC 0-1, and at 12:35, IRC 2-3-4 Classes execute their starts.

Especially IRC 0 Class is virtually glued together.

Movements are synchronic.

Similarly, it's possible to see the competitive determination in other classes as well.

Rankings are different in each race. This whips up the determination until the very end.

Results can change at any moment.

Those who want it to change and those who don't want it to change are in fierce competition.

Generally, there are no large gaps.

Except for one class; in IRC 0, EKER 40 class keeps pulling ahead.

FLEW FLEW TO MARMARIS FLEW

At the end of the first race continuing board to board, bow to bow;

The protest filed by yacht ADA SAILOR against yacht MARMARIS is found justified.

SAME CONDITIONS, SAME COURSE

As the first race finish line is taken, the committee begins preparations for the 2nd race.

Measurements taken at all positions show that today the wind is on the line where the race is held, and that another course would be risky.

While the wind is again at 10 knots coming from 130 degrees, the committee announces that Route 5 from the MIYC courses will be sailed.

At 14:07, IRC 0-1, and at 14:12, IRC 2-3-4 Classes execute their starts.

The competition continues on a similar route, under similar conditions.

No change in wind direction and strength.

The course is being rounded twice by the fleet.

EKER 40 keeps increasing the gap in her Class. After she finishes, other boats in the class finish one after another.

BABA YAGA, racing in IRC 4 Class, misses the time limit by a few minutes and receives a DNF for this race.

We witness the race committee's painstaking efforts to get the boat to finish on time, but there is nothing to be done.

When the finishes are recorded at the end of the 2nd Race of the first day;

RETURN TO MARMARIS

In the evening, there is the 4th Leg prize-giving ceremony in the club garden.

Participation is magnificent. At MIYC's traditional ceremony, there is no holding back or sparing on hospitality.p>

Everyone is enjoying themselves to their heart's content, taking advantage of the refreshments.

Especially when the main course is Döner...

The Club Secretary, or rather the club's everything, Harika Özcamgöz is hosting the ceremony.

Those who deserved awards in the 4th Leg are coming to the stage one by one to receive their trophies.

None of that "Let our skipper pick up the trophy, and bring it to us while we're dining at a fancy restaurant" attitude in Marmaris.

This fleet shows respect to the race, to the briefing, to the ceremony, and to each other.

THE MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN JINXED

Among the club's dedicated workers, Commodore Erol Algül and Treasurer Halit Kesgin have had heart surgery.

Erol Algül is not at the helm of his boat for now.

He's going out on the committee boat, managing the organization.

p>

Halit Kesgin hasn't been able to make it to the club, the race course, or the press boat yet.

We convey our get-well wishes to both of them and wish them a speedy recovery.

APRIL 23 SUNDAY

We wake up to a sunny Marmaris morning with light clouds.

People exercising along the coast, the last day of the holiday.

The wind is making it clear that it won't let its absence be felt.

My prediction is that the committee will race on a geographical course and head out to the outer harbor.

I can only follow the entire race from a race boat.

I'LL TRY MY LUCK

I will be a guest on the IMEGINE yacht racing in IRC 2 Class.

I'm praying "that the wind won't be too strong."

This boat (FIRST 40) requires acrobatics in strong conditions.

I have many regrets.

Anyway, I arrived at the pontoon, preparations are underway.

We went out to sea, Principal Race Officer Ezgi Kalaycı is calling for a moment of silence for April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day.

The wind is blowing from 170 degrees at 9-12 knots, let's see what the course will be?

The committee finally announces the course.

Course 1B from the MIYC courses will be sailed. Bird's-eye view 18 Nm.

At 12:25, IRC 0-1 classes execute their starts and begin racing towards the turning buoy.

At 12:30, IRC 2-3-4 classes, including the boat I'm on, will start.

BOATS HAVE NO BRAKES

The start line is absolute chaos. The wind is strengthening, getting stubborn.

Boats crossing the start line have no ability to brake.

We, along with others, cross the line before the start signal due to the strengthening wind.

We know our situation, but thankfully everyone else is in the same boat.

The general recall announcement brings relief to our hearts.

GENERAL RECALL, NEW START

At 12:40, having learned our lesson well and without getting pushed around by anyone, we cross the line.

Strong launch, aggressive maneuvers - today is going to be tough. I just hope I don't fall overboard or drop any equipment.

"The manufacturers of these Firsts should consider those who want to capture footage from the stern when designing them," I think to myself.p>

NOTHING TO HOLD ON TO, NOWHERE TO TAKE POWER

The crew is working, I'm the only one who understands my struggle.

I'm thinking I'll enjoy myself after the turning mark.

No way.

They hoisted the spinnakers, along with their competitors.

With the spinnakers, we're coming to the position I dread most.

THAT POSITION, WATCH OUT

Marmaris exit channel mouth. I always get caught in irons here. I never forget its slap.

The crew went full bear away, entering this position with spinnakers.

The boat's port side is in the water. I'm a tightrope walker on the starboard side.

Try to get the shot if you can.

The spinnakers started to threaten the boats. Especially the squalls.

Everyone is watching each other.

The wind puts an end to the crew's stubbornness and resistance.

The boats in the position are dropping their spinnakers.

Otherwise the boats will be in the water.

I'm breathing a sigh of relief too.

NO WIND IN THE STRAIT - OR IS THERE

When we entered the strait, my prayers were answered too well I guess, the wind fizzled out.

When I said "My Lord, I didn't ask for this much," even though I'd say it's blowing lightly again; that's a lie.

Now charging ahead, now stopping and smiling at us, Poseidon.

We pass through the famous İçmeler bay at 9-10 Knots speed and head towards Karga Taşı Island.

APPROACHES AT THE ISLAND

On the island rounding, the fleet closes in on each other, exciting moments again but very beautiful.

After rounding the island, we set course towards the turning buoy off Yalancı Boğaz with balloons.

Even though we miss the route a bit with the balloons, the wind gives us a chance to correct from time to time.

ANOTHER RACE AFTER THE TURNING BUOY

After the turning buoy, another race begins. The wind increases its power even more.

We're advancing through the Marmaris channel with tacks.

Those with strong tacking will win now.

Close approaches to Cennet Island, hard tacks.

The entire fleet is racing to their heart's content.

"Come on, pass that bow, if not we can pass this one, if not, one more time."

We enter the strait while repeating this.

The strait seems to say, "Rest here, friends."

It's not easy to stay calm. We're practically refreshing our start.

"All those efforts, those risks taken, those pushes, what will become of them, Poseidon? Will you settle this account?"

While repeating this, we finish the strait and enter the finish line.

The spinnaker is deployed, the line is visible.

We weren't the only ones to deploy the spinnaker.

We're going board to board with our competitor, yacht AVOLARE.

Going is good, but what do we do if the squalls come, and then it happens.

Captains, be careful, let's not have a collision.

While we're gathering the spinnaker, AVOLARE releases their spinnaker and crosses the finish line that way.

And I hear my favorite sound of the day; the finish horn.

The fleet, experiencing every condition of wind and sea, takes their finishes before sunset and enters Netsel Marina.

The Marmaris Course once again demonstrated in two days that it will race you in every condition.

At the end of Day 2;

At the end of MIYC Winter Trophy 5th Leg.p>

The 6th and final leg of the trophy will be raced on May 6-7.

MIYC ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIS WEEK

The club's annual general assembly will take place on Wednesday, April 26 at MIYC Facilities.