Four Seasons in Two Days: MIYC Winter Trophy 3rd Leg

The 3rd leg of the 2024 MIYC Winter Trophy, a long-standing and classic event, was held on March 2-3 on the Marmaris race course.

HERE'S THE MARMARIS RACE COURSE

Marmaris is a very favorable race course for yacht racing. It's possible to experience all different conditions in this geography, and this is not considered a surprise either. Just like in this

leg.

EYES ON WEATHER WEBSITES

As the race days approach, what all stakeholders frequently check is the weather forecasts.

The eyes of the organizing committee, racers, and broadcasters are on the weather websites.

At the very least, what to wear in the conditions that will emerge, will it be rainy or sunny, cold or hot on race days?

Travel bags are packed accordingly.

It's especially important for those coming from outside Marmaris.

Marmaris, which appeared sunny for days, was showing rain in different forecasts for the first day of the race.

The day before, the 2nd leg of Trio Cup took place on the same course in sunny weather with steady racing winds.

MARCH 2, SATURDAY

But on Saturday morning we wake up to a wet Marmaris.

Waves are pounding the tourism beaches from the southwesterly direction.

Clouds have covered this beautiful town as if competing with each other.

Even when the sun tries to show its face a little through the gaps, the clouds seem to say "Today is our day, you stay where you are, there's no passage for your light through us".

When I finish the wet path connecting the hotel to the clubhouse and arrive at the briefing, I witness that the participation is very good.

When I compare the boat names on the race list with the helmsmen who came to the briefing, I can easily see

where the Marmaris racing standards have reached over time.

MARMARIS HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER THESE WONDERFUL TEAMS

Not only in IRC-0, but in all classes, there are helmsmen and crews whose races we enjoy following.

As I write, I think I'll start with those sharing the top positions, but it's not possible. They're all successful, ambitious.

During winter months, there are flights from Ankara to Dalaman twice a week. And those are at the crack of dawn.

For this reason, Ankara sailors have arranged vehicles and participate in every leg, and they are ambitious.

Some teams from Istanbul are also coming with transfer vehicles.

Chief Race Officer Ezgi Kalaycı announces that a total of 38 boats will race in this leg, 18 in IRC 0-1 classes and 20 in IRC 2-3 classes.

Wind expectations; southeasterly.

After explaining the starting sequences and procedures to be followed in case of retirement, she announces that the race will start at the declared time.

FINAL PREPARATIONS ON THE PONTOONS

Final preparations on the pontoons, the wind felt inside the sheltered marina - let's see what it will be like on the course.

COURSE PAINTED IN GREY

Rain and squalls at the marina exit, a wet misty grey course. Even the green of the pine trees on the shore is grey.

Lightning flashes over the mountains from one side to the other, coloring the atmosphere.

Course announcement as the start time approaches.

Wind is blowing from 125 degrees at around 20 knots.

MOMENTS BEFORE THE START

With 1 minute to go before the boats cross the start line, the wind shifts by a large angle and the committee signals a postponement.

Following the postponement signal, a 1-hour delay is announced.

p>

The weather started to get harsh. The rain intensified.

Clouds are descending over the sea, lightning is striking the water now.

AND POSTPONEMENT ON SHORE

When the clock shows 13:15, a postponement is announced on shore.

Teams taking the opportunity start chatting inside their boats. Outside, all hell is breaking loose.

WELCOME TO THE COURSE

"This race won't happen today" we were saying

when the rain eased off, the clouds broke up, and as the sun got a chance to show its face, the committee invites the fleet to the course.

THE COMMITTEE'S EFFORTS ARE NOT ENOUGH

The winter experienced in the morning has given way to summer, the wind is almost non-existent and constantly shifting direction.

The committee sets up the course several times but in vain.

Conditions are not suitable for conducting the race.

At the end of an eventful day both at sea and on shore, the fleet takes their places at Netsel Marina.p>

AWARD CEREMONY

In the evening, there is the Winter Trophy 2nd leg award ceremony at Miyc facilities. While the döner rotates for the large group of invited guests, beers contribute to enlivening the atmosphere.

Everyone is pleased and happy.

As the 2nd leg awards find their owners one by one, the scenes from this unifying and modest atmosphere bring happiness in the name of sailing sport.

After an eventful but unraceable day, we head into the evening.

MARCH 3RD SUNDAY

Unlike the day before, there is sunny and pleasant weather in Marmaris.

When the fleet boats head out to the racecourse behind the committee boat, a summery scene prevails.p>

While the committee continues course preparations, they warn the racing yachts with a different announcement;

HALF OF THE COURSE IS CLOSED

Sea passage towards İçmeler from the line between Keçi Island and Turban Hotel is prohibited today.

The passage behind the island is also closed.

There are numerous Coast Guard and Police boats everywhere.

The boats we saw at anchor and moored in these locations the day before are now gone from their positions.

We couldn't make sense of it, so we decided to focus on our race.

Apparently, with this restriction today, it will be difficult for the race committee to announce a geographical route.

255 DEGREES WIND

As the wind blows at 7-8 knots from 255 degrees, the committee prepares the course and announces the route.

Route 5 from Miyc Routes;

There is no decrease in wind strength and preparations are completed at the planned time.

At 12:05, IRC 0-1 classes, and at 12:15, IRC 2-3 classes execute their starts and begin racing on the course.

The fleet literally starts racing in a tightly packed formation, but while close competitors group together at close distances, the bay suddenly becomes colorful.

Vakkorama is the first to round the leeward mark, followed by their close competitors.

p>

MAJOR BATTLES AMONG SMALL GROUPS

This grouping situation is becoming very apparent in all classes.

There are different battles in every area of the expansive race course.

It's very difficult for us to see and capture all of them.

We can identify the situation at the position where the press boat is located. The others are far away.

WIND IS PICKING UP

At the mark roundings, the wind is picking up a bit, reaching 8-9 knots level.

When the boats leave this 2-lap race course in their wake and cross the finish line;

2ND RACE OF THE DAY

The race committee wastes no time in announcing the day's 2nd Race.

Since racing couldn't be held the day before, they want to complete both races today.

Since a geographical course cannot be set, and given that the course is ready with no changes in wind direction and strength, ROUTE 5 will be sailed again.

As the wind blows from 255 degrees at 8-9 knots, the starts take place.

With the wind strength increasing, we witness competitive scenes at all starts.

The contending boats that completed the first race advantageously start racing on the course with time losses to avoid causing collisions at the start line.

IRC 0-1 at 13:58 and IRC 2-3 at 14:25.

The steady wind direction and the wind strength distributed almost equally across the course allow the fleet boats to conduct a fair race.

The wind, which rises to 14 knots over time, increases even more towards the finishes.

When the entire fleet completes the finish;

p>

MARMARIS SKIES FULL OF HELICOPTERS

While the fleet boats take their places at Netsel Marina and racers gradually depart from Marmaris, we see many helicopters above us.

They came from the Muğla direction. These helicopters are heading to the controversial hotel construction site behind Keçi Adası (Cat Island).

Since the distance is far, this is all we can see.

We understand at that moment why a large part of our course was prohibited for viewing.

Another leg marked by dynamic and varied weather conditions, where everyone was exhausted, is left behind.

MIYC Winter Trophy 4th Leg will be sailed on April 6-7.