MARMARIS COMES ALIVE AGAIN WITH WINTER SAILING

Every year in January, we witness yacht races in Marmaris that begin and span the winter months.

During those days, the deserted seas suddenly fill with sailboats. Marmaris comes alive.

In these races organized by MİYK, athletes from different parts of our country regularly come to the Marmaris racing course according to the race calendar.

This course is full of surprises; it is possible to see wind, calm, sunshine, and dark clouds one after another.

Racing here requires attention and foresight.

Both the race committee and competitors are always on alert.

Conditions change suddenly.

Different wind regimes dominate the expansive Marmaris racing course within and in front of the mountains.

For this reason, it appeals to competitors.

Foreign racers now regularly participate in the winter trophy event, which has become a classic, and their numbers are increasing day by day.

The 2025 winter trophy will begin with the 1st leg races on January 18-19 and will be completed with the 6th and final leg on April 19-20.

We will follow this race and put it under the microscope for you from the racing course.

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While MIYC, which organizes numerous events throughout the year, continues its preparations for its first race, the "Winter Trophy," we wanted to obtain information about past races, the upcoming one, and others from the club

president Zafer Öznur.

ZAFER ÖZNUR

(MIYC President, TYF Yacht Class Committee Chairman)

"The Winter Trophy, organized by Marmaris International Yacht Sports Club (MIYC), is recognized as one of Turkey's most prestigious sailing events. This organization, implemented with the aim of spreading interest in maritime and yacht sports throughout all 12 months of the year, has played an important role in ensuring the sustainability of Marmaris in yacht tourism.

Launched in 2009 with the aim of increasing interest in marine sports during winter months and ensuring that Marmaris becomes a year-round active destination in yacht tourism, the MIYC Winter Trophy has quickly become a race series that attracts both national and international sailors. The organization, which started in its early years mostly with local participants, has evolved over time into an international event with intensive participation from professional and amateur sailors.

This trophy, which starts every January and continues until May, consists of a total of 6 legs. (Last year, it was held as 5 legs due to calendar congestion).
In these legs, different routes and race formats are used to enable sailors to demonstrate their skills in various sea conditions. Participants have the opportunity to both strengthen team spirit and gain experience in a competitive environment.

The MIYC Winter Trophy is an important event that ensures Marmaris remains vibrant throughout all four seasons, beyond being just a race organization. The races held during the winter months, when tourist activity decreases, bring vitality to the hospitality, restaurant, and maritime sectors. Thanks to this, Marmaris' economy is not limited to just the summer season but maintains dynamic tourism potential throughout the year.

Furthermore, the Winter Trophy provides young sailors and amateur yachtsmen with the opportunity to develop themselves in a professional racing atmosphere, while the participation of international teams contributes to promoting Marmaris on a global scale.

Over the years, with increasing international participation, the Winter Trophy has become one of the most important winter season yacht races held in the Mediterranean basin. In addition to Turkey, teams from Greece, Russia, Ukraine and other countries find the opportunity to compete in Marmaris's favorable climate conditions.

This broad participation makes Marmaris more visible on the international yacht tourism map, while also increasing the club's worldwide recognition. Additionally, the club contributes to the protection of nature by organizing environmentally conscious events in line with sustainable maritime principles.

MIYC aims to improve the organizational quality of the Winter Trophy each year, host more international teams, and further expand the scope of the race through training programs for young sailors and international collaborations.

In conclusion, the Marmaris Winter Trophy maintains its importance as an established and prestigious organization that contributes greatly both to the development of the sport and to Marmaris being a vibrant tourism center in all four seasons."

The club announced that approximately 35 boats are expected to participate in the Trophy this year.

One of these boats came from Çeşme waters to Marmaris and is awaiting the race days. Her helmsman is Dr. Akif Sezer.

We asked Sezer, who announced they will race to the end in the Trophy, about his team and the trophy.

Dr. AKİF SEZER

(Former EAYK and Uriyat Commodore, TYF Board Member)

"As a crew that races on different courses in the Izmir region and also participates in races of Turkey's other leading clubs, we will spend this winter trophy at MIYC winter races with our new boat

X35 toXic ☠️ .

Additionally, we will be at the EAYK Çeşme winter trophy with Sun Odyssey 42i Shakara.

We have been competing in courses without sponsors for years with our group of friends using our own budgets. Whether we passed or not, we were always in a state of mind where we had a lot of fun.

Of course, success and ranking are important.

But what's truly important is being able to develop. We developed as much as we could. We changed.

Currently, some of our clubs have decided to race in a different rating system.

Although this is a matter of debate, I choose to adapt rather than argue.

Our boat is what it is. We don't have the budget to make modifications or build new sails.

Therefore, we will continue with the same setup. Time will tell everything.

I wish all our sailing community and all our clubs a very, very beautiful season. In friendship without division, inshallah.

Fair winds, friends. "

On January 18-19, meteorology websites show that there will be no lack of wind on the Marmaris race course.

Of course, this is a forecast. What will happen on those days, we will see in Marmaris.

We wish all participants a racing year in which they will be happy.p>

Note: This chunk contains only image tags without any Turkish text to translate. The structure has been preserved exactly as provided.