THE EVIL EYE HAS FALLEN ON MARMARIS

Summer hasn't ended here yet. Hot weather, calm wind and tourists filling the beaches… 

Occasionally clouds come over Marmaris, then retreat and go away.

We see some boats that will participate in the event training in the inner and outer harbor.

At 15:00, a warning message arrives from AFAD regarding tomorrow's weather conditions. Seeing the current weather conditions, one has difficulty believing this warning issued for the first day of the race.

The preparations that have been ongoing at the club for months have now come to an end. Administrators, referees and the protest committee continue their intensive work. 

Teams have received their flags and t-shirts, awaiting the pre-race briefing.

At 18:00, Chief Umpire Ezgi Kalaycı first introduces the assigned umpires to the competitors. Then she provides explanations about general rules, classes and starting order.

This phrase is constantly repeated throughout the day.

A total of nine races are planned to be held during the week. 108 boats from 18 countries are participating in the organization. The highest participation is in the Russian teams with a total of 955 athletes. They are followed by Turkish teams with 99 athletes.

ORC A: 10 boats

ORC B: 11 boats

ORC C: 17 boats

ORC D: 15 boats

ORC E: 12 boats

ORC F: 7 boats

ORC Charter A: 12 boats

ORC Charter B: 11 boats

ORC Charter C: 13 boats

The races will start with four separate start groups. The start order is as follows:

ORC A and ORC B

ORC C and ORC D

ORC E and ORC F

ORC Charter A, B and C

The area at Marmaris quay, which was successfully used last year, will host evening events and award ceremonies again this year.

Actually, it should have been considered much earlier, but even if late, it is an extremely correct choice.

With racing yachts moored to the quay and the event area set up right next to them, race week has been moved to the center of Marmaris. Thus, the competition at sea and the festival atmosphere on land have intertwined.

As the cocktail begins, clouds start to cover the moonlight. It's as if the weather is preparing for tomorrow.

First, we watch the excellent show of an Italian orchestra. 

Then the opening speeches begin. The board members who worked on this organization for months are also introduced to the competitors.

In the final part of the evening, the Turkish orchestra takes the stage, providing the guests with musical and enjoyable moments until late hours.

A nine-race program at sea, 108 boats and 955 athletes from 18 countries and great competition…

But above all of this, there is one single question:

Because as the first day of the 37th International Race Week in Marmaris approaches, there is one fact everyone knows:

First race daygbefore dawn, clouds had covered all of Marmaris. The rain that started lightly was gradually showing its effect.

The strong morning wind was lashing the shore, which had been packed with people the day before.

The rain was intensifying from time to time, and calming down at other times. The weather was completely unstable.

The race officials, who went out to sea long before the race start time, hoisted the "postponement ashore" flag and made the necessary announcement when their wind measurements showed no less than 25 knots.

Ashore, boats moored to the quay had begun rolling with the waves entering the harbor. Additional precautions were being implemented on boats whose sterns were too close to shore. Eyes were constantly between the quay and the boats.

The race committee observing and evaluating the conditions offshore announced at 15:30 that the races would not be held. Similarly, as it became clear that the conditions would worsen considerably in the evening hours, the scheduled event was cancelled due to weather conditions.

The rain that fell continuously throughout the night lost its effect in the morning hours. This situation enabled the committee boats first, and then the fleet, to easily take their positions on the course.

The wind was blowing from different directions and in the range of 70–100 degrees, at the lower limits required for giving a start.

Until the start moment, the start line was being reorganized each time depending on the wind backing. Finally, it was confirmed that the wind direction had stabilized and ORC A and B classes took the start and began racing on the course.

The wind carrying the first group to the turning buoy was decreasing or increasing depending on the positions after the buoy.

The fleet would start from the inner harbor, exit to offshore from İçmeler, and after rounding Kargataşı Island, would finish again in the inner harbor.

After the first start, the wind kept changing direction, as if playing games with the committee, preventing the subsequent starts from being given.

Reaching İçmeler with tacksçlükle yaklaşan tekneler, Keçi Adası'nın güneybatısında rüzgârı yakaladılar. Orsa seyirle ve birkaç tramolayla açık denize çıktılar.

It was not even possible to see the boats heading towards Kargataşı Island at close range.

When the island was rounded and course was set towards the inner harbor, spinnakers had been deployed on the boats despite occasional difficulties.

The rainbow was creating a backdrop for the course for a long time, the sun was generously sending all its rays to the sea. As for the rain, it was disappearing as if saying "I'd better not interfere here!"

Thus, we didn't miss any of the starts. These classes would race on Route 1 from the MIYC routes.

As the leading boats passed the turning buoy and headed towards the outer harbor, the wind began to become uncertain again. Its direction and strength varied according to location and was constantly changing.

As the conditions continued this way for a long time, the committee "Abandone" and announced its cancellation.

On the Marmaris course where we experienced both winter and summer in the same day, today only ORC A and B classes were able to complete their races.

What we were left with were beautiful images of boats that started but could not finish.

Live broadcasts were made on MIYC's YouTube channel throughout the races. At the center, Tolga and Atilla Gökova's satisfying commentary, carefully prepared graphics, tracking devices installed on boats, and drones capturing footage from different angles made the broadcast quite colorful and watchable.

However, the security jammer systems of the MSC DIVINA vessel located in the harbor were preventing the drones from flying properly. This situation was one of the factors that made it difficult to convey the competition at sea to viewers from different angles.

In the evening, the award ceremony for ORC A and B classes was held at the ceremony area. Racers received their trophies from the hands of Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Aras. Afterwards, the entertainment continued until late hours.

Considering the races that could not be held, the committee announced a day earlier that it expected the fleet at the start line at 11:00.

The rain that fell continuously throughout the night eased slightly in the morning hours.

In the morning, in the corridors of the hotel where we were staying with the athletes, we saw shoes that had been trying to be dried with electric heaters since the evening.

The athletes, taking advantage of the slight calming of the weather, had already started their preparations as soon as they reached their boats.

The committee had long since gone out to the course and was taking measurements at different positions.

Hearing the announcements from the radio, the boats left the dock and headed out to sea so as not to be late for the course.

Right at this moment, a very heavy rain began. The low clouds descending over Marmaris were reducing visibility virtually to zero.

It was clear that the heavy rain would continue without abating. Under these conditions, it did not seem possible for the athletes racing in the boats to have a healthy race.

The precipitation, decreased visibility, and uncertainty in wind direction led the committee to decide to postpone the race ashore.

As the conditions ashore continued in the same manner, it was announced at 15:50 that the race would not be held.

These adverse weather conditions, experienced consecutively and unusual for Marmaris, were affecting everyone. Considering that the conditions would persist until evening hours, the evening event was also being cancelled.

When we woke up in the morning, everything was wet. There was no precipitation but the area was still covered with clouds.

The day before, the committee had announced that the starts would be at 11:00. In the early hours of the day, racers in their colorful attire heading to the club had started to be seen in the streets of Marmaris.

The wind that had been blowing from the south for days would turn to the north today. These hours of transition could cause uncertainties on the course.

The committee, which went out to the course early, was keeping the fleet on shore postponement with an announcement made at 10:10 after checking the conditions.

The conditions were changing, all boats were heading out to the course. As the media boat, while we were casting off from the Municipal Marina, our stern line got caught in the propeller.

While the announcements signaling the start of the race were being made, we still hadn't made it out to the course!

Thanks to a diver found in a short time, our boat gained its freedom and now we were also on the course.

Starting procedures began with wind blowing from 270 degrees at 7-9 knots. ORC A-B classes made the first start at 11:40. The race course was Route 1 from MIYC routes.

Then the wind shifted direction. On the newly set start line, the start of ORC C-D classes, which would race on the same route, was reset once and took place at 12:38.

On low wind days, boats that start late are always at a disadvantage.

ORC A-B classes were racing without offset as the fast boats of the fleet. Upon reaching the Bosphorusthey were heading toward Kargataşı Island with a wind that was not changing direction but decreasing in strength.

The ORC C-D classes following them also encountered the decreasing wind when they reached the strait. A course shortening was being given to the racing boats.

The wind direction at the start line was not settling at all. The ORC E-F classes finally executed their start. They would sail Course 3 from the MIYC courses. However, due to the continually decreasing wind, this class was later "Abandoned."

The wind at sea was zero, the view was virtually like a mirror. With the sun coming out, the sea had calmed down as if to say, "Come and swim!" This situation meant that many boats' new 

kconditions into an opportunity. After all, the fleet that had been under rain for days had finally seen the light of day.

After a while, the committee was rescued by the wind that freshened again and would turn the race into a real race.

The start line was being reorganized according to the wind blowing from 270 degrees at 7-10 knots, and the course was being announced.

The ORC CHARTER class made the first start. However, the start was recalled due to a general recall.

Following this group, ORC A-B and ORC C-D classes also executed their starts. This time the route was Route 2 from the MIYC routes.

There was fierce competition in all four classes. It was clear that the situation would become clearer as the number of races increased.

The boats sailing with spinnaker from the İçmeler direction to the finish line presented beautiful images to our cameras.

The valuable drone of the live broadcast crew, which was following the race with different cameras, was taking close-up footage from above one of the boats when it was hit by the boat behind and fell into the boat it was filming in front. Minor damage, fell into the seais better than not racing.

On this race day, ORC A-B and ORC C-D classes completed two races each, while other classes completed one race each.

For a challenging day full of surprises, the number of races was quite satisfying. Both the racers and the race organizers left the course happy.

Marmaris is sunny daily, it's as if summer has returned. Everyone's face is smiling. Everyone wants to go out to sea, to race.

The committee goes out to the course early. They will search for wind, evaluate the conditions. However, deciding that the conditions at that moment are not suitable for racing, they make a "Postponement ashore" announcement to the boats.

But the boats soon head out to the course as if they haven't heard this announcement. Instead of waiting at the dock, they prefer to go out to sea to sunbathe and swim.

A complete holiday atmosphere prevails on the course. Everyone is in good spirits.

The committee,they are taking wind measurements at different locations of the race course. However, the situation is not very promising in the early hours.

As time progresses, small clouds appear at higher altitudes. "Perhaps they will bring the wind to the race course" we say. Indeed, that is exactly what happens.

At 13:00, measurements taken at Yalancı Boğaz location determine that the wind is blowing from 120 degrees, between 5-7 knots and continuing.

The semi-geographical route, rounding Keçi Island. Passing in front of İçmeler, it will bring the fleet to the finish.

These classes set course towards the turning buoy after the start. The spinnakers hoisted with the turn carry the boats from the strait to the outer sea.

While these classes hoist their spinnakers and continue on their way, the third start is given to ORC C-D classes, and the fourth start to ORC A-B classes. These classes will race inside, on Route 5 from MIYC routes. There are plenty of buoy turns.

After the clean start of ORC C-D classes, ORC A-B boats commit a general recall. The start is recalled and the race begins again.

Colorful Course. Those bearing away, those hoisting spinnakers...... We witness boats racing in almost every area, all zones.

Boats rounding the marks off Yalancı Boğaz position are hoisting their spinnakers and heading towards the rounding mark in front of the start.

Finishes are already being taken for boats completing the same course twice.

At 15:00, the committee announces through the race committee that no further racing will be held today, boats that have finished may return to the marina.

From this moment, finishes are completed in all classes.

The nine races planned at the beginning of the race week could not be held due to weather conditions. However, another race week comes to an end with races that were enjoyable, albeit few.

ORC A-B classes complete the week with four races, ORC C-D classes with three races, and other classes with two races each.