Down to the Wire: MIYC Winter Trophy 5th Leg

I'm arriving in Marmaris a day early for the MIYC Winter Trophy 5th Leg races to be held on March 29-30.

HOLIDAY RACE

The race days coincide with the holiday eve and the first day of the holiday. I'm curious about the participation.

In Marmaris, a tourist destination, this is an expensive period in terms of accommodation and transportation.

When registration is completed at 17:00, it appears that 29 boats have registered. No attrition, good number.

If only Marmaris could break its meteorological leg this time around.

WHERE ARE THE OLD WINDS?

Those old strong winds have almost disappeared. On race days, the committee is constantly searching for wind.

From one direction, then from another. One moment this intensity, the next moment that intensity.

We haven't encountered much of a strong wind.

FOREST FIRES OR OZONE?

Local sailors speak of changes in wind patterns following forest fires in the region.

Perhaps it's also the effects of global ozone depletion.p>

When we come to these races, our eyes are on the meteorology sites starting a week in advance.

What kind of race will it be, what does the wind, temperature, and precipitation show?

Before this leg, uncertainties again.

Leaving the race aside, what will our attire, our equipment be like?

When that's uncertain too, pack different garments, shoes, raincoats for every condition...

MARMARIS SUITCASE LIKE AN AMERICA SUITCASE

We ended up coming to a 2-day event as if going to America with these uncertainties.

As we approached Marmaris, the rain started. No sign of sun.

At midnight, until morning, thunder and rain dominated Marmaris.

In the morning, we arrived at the club building through streets wet from the rain that had stopped.

Most of the boats that will race are at the municipality pier, still ashore from winter.

MARINAS ARE FULL, AFTER ALL

One can't help but think; "what will happen if these boats can't find space during the active days of the sailing season?"

What will happen when the marinas that once begged for races to be held when they were empty, provided free berthing for days, organized cocktails, and distributed gifts, gradually withdraw this hand?

It seems clubs that cannot get berthing, boat, and crew assistance will have a hard time.

The first whistle blows at 10:00, we're at the briefing.

EZGİ KALAYCI

Chief Race Officer

"Welcome to the 5th leg of the Trophy. It looks like it will be a rainy week. There's less rainfall today.

The wind doesn't look strong but instead of staying ashore, we'll wait for our wind at sea.

I'm planning to complete all scheduled races to allow for discards in the final leg.

We have 29 boats racing. We're in the holiday week, I wish everyone a happy holiday"

WHAT I CAN SEE FROM THE RACE COMMITTEE BOAT

I'll be following the race from the race committee boat again. When we leave the marina, the wind is blowing from the west at 11-13 knots. The tops of the mountains surrounding Marmaris harbor are covered with dense clouds.

The rain is slowly starting to check in.

This leg is very important. Important for corrections, for last chances.p>

There is a balanced grouping. The rankings keep changing with the alterations.

Meanwhile, the wind starts playing games as soon as we get out on the course. First with its strength, then with its direction.

The race committee is taking measurements at all positions. All of them are being evaluated on our boat.

The search for a fair and correct route according to the conditions continues.

Boats going one way, race committee boat going the other...

Finally, when the wind settles at 8-9 knots from 125 degrees, the route for the day's first race is announced.

ROUTE 4A from MIYC routes

At 12:05, ORC A-B groups, and at 12:12, C-D groups complete their starts.

Once the starts are completed and the boats begin racing on the course, the wind gradually starts to die down. There are moments when it drops to as low as 6 knots.

WIND DROPS, COURSE SHORTENED

Anticipating that this drop will continue, the committee issues a shortened course at 12:50.

A new finish line is established and finishes are recorded.

When the first groups complete their finishes, the committee announces that the day's 2nd race will take place.

When all boats cross the finish line:

As the finishes are completed, the rain intensifies and the wind decreases.

While this decrease continues, the committee postpones the race.

The postponement also applies ashore. The majority of the fleet heads toward the marina.

A long wait for the wind and settling conditions begins.

At 15:40, as suitable conditions emerge, proceedings commence.

BREAK IS OVER, RACING CONTINUES

The boats that moored at the marina are taking their positions on the course again.

As the wind blows from 135 degrees at 9-10 knots, the second race of the day's route is announced.

ROUTE 5 from the MIYC courses

At 16:01, ORC A-B classes execute their starts, followed by ORC C-D classes.

However, after the start procedures, the wind gradually decreases in strength.

The committee shortens the course. The finishes are at Yalancıboğaz location.

COURSE SHORTENING ISN'T ENOUGH EITHER

As the wind speed gradually decreases, the clock shows 17:10 when the race committee announces abandonment for ORC 3-4.

Meanwhile, some boats, seeing they won't reach the finish line, retire from the race.

And when the clock shows 17:25, abandonment is declared for ORC B.

When the finishes are recorded;

In the evening, there's a 4th Leg prize ceremony at Miyc facilities.

FISH, HALVA, CUPS

The participation is tremendous. Grilled fish, beer, salad, halva.

A very crowded and colorful atmosphere.

Course rivals become friends at the tables.

The facility's new sound system has brought the broadcast quality to the highest level.

Songs are sung, prizes are received, dances are performed…

March 30, Sunday

COMPLAINING ABOUT THE METEOROLOGY IS FORBIDDEN

There is very heavy rain in the morning. It rained all night. I don't want to complain about the meteorology sites.

At 11:00 when we head out to the course, the wind is 9-10 knots. At 11:30 it drops to 3-4 knots.

On the boat I'm on, I also have the opportunity to observe the race committee's reactions.

Changing wind directions, strengths, variations according to positions.

If you're going to wait for something, it wouldn't be wrong to say "may you become a race officer."

POSTPONEMENT SAID, "I'M COMING"

Conditions requiring postponement and postponement.

When the clock shows 12:15, with the wind settled at 9-10 knots from 165 degrees, the course is announced;

COURSE 1 from the MIYC courses.

The fleet will sail out to Marmaris outer waters, round Kargatası Island, and finish. Approximately 12 nm as the crow flies.

At 12:30, ORC A-B classes make their start, followed by ORC C-D classes at 12:36.

The wind is not decreasing in strength; on the contrary, it's increasing.

As the fleet sets course for Kargataşı Island, the sun occasionally shows its face.

There is no change in wind direction or strength. The fleet is racing, spinnakers are being hoisted.

As the fleet enters Marmaris Harbor, clouds once again obscure the course.

As finishes are being recorded, rain begins to fall heavily.

When the day's first race is completed;

When the first race is completed, the committee announces that it will conduct one more race for all groups except ORC A class.

While ORC A class yachts return to the marina, the other groups are waiting for the announcement of the course to be determined.

The committee announces the final course for the 5th leg while the wind is blowing at 10 knots from 125 degrees;

Course 5 from MIYC courses.

At 14:57 ORC B, and at 15:02 ORC C-D executed their starts.

The wind was blowing without compromising its strength.

Towards the finishes, the wind increased its strength and intensified as if saying "this is how I blow too".

LA LA LA, MARK'S DRAGGING AWAAAAAAY

When the committee boat's finish buoy was swept across, the umpire boats intervened.

They secured the buoy and ensured the finishes were taken according to the rules.

When the finishes were recorded;

I moved to Turunç to prepare the race report and started working.

THE AWAITED WIND CAME... AND...

This time I fell right into the wind we'd been waiting for 2 days. Power cuts out, trees are uprooted, rain hits like a slap.

Well, we did ask for wind!

The trophy will be completed with the 6th leg to be sailed on April 19-20. The results are on a knife's edge.

We're expecting good racing wind on these dates.