Third annual Göcek Autumn Regatta 2004

Dates: 09-12 November 2004
Number of Yachts: 24
Number of divisions: 5
Organized by: Göcek Yacht Club

Just when you think the summer season has really ended, the little town of Göcek comes to life one last time for hosting the autumn regatta. This is the last opportunity for regatta lovers to have fun before turning to their winter sleep.

The autumn race is a young event, that still needs to be discovered by more yachtsmen in order to become more profesionnal. On the other hand, the limited number of yachts creates a quite friendly atmosphere and makes it that crews actually get to know their opponents in person, which can be fun too. It would be nice though to have more than only thirteen yachts racing in IRC!

As it is quite usual in autumn, the weather was changing all the time. On the first day thunder, squalls and showers took turns, but fortunately the other days sunshine and blue skies prevailed. With 27 degrees C. on the last day, we imagined ourselves back in summer-time!

There were three race tracks inside of the bay of Göcek and one so-called long-distance (16 nm). The first day had two nice small races around Göcek Island on the programme, the first one leaving it to port side, the second to starboard. We belonged to the fortunate ones coming in first, but no sooner did we cross the finishing line, than the rain started pouring down and the wind dropped almost completely. Until late in the evening we saw the navigation lights of the other yachts moving around in the dark!

The long-distance, which made us pass around the islands inside the bay and then round the buoy outside in the gulf of Fethiye, was very interesting too. Within this one track there were so many wind shifts and calms, that all yachts had more than one opportunity to get back in the game. A beautiful day of sailing it was!

During the last race, which was inside the bay again, the wind blew so gently again, that I guess all those without spinnaker must have sworn to definitely take one next year!

The evening programme was quite sympathetic. A big tent was set up in Skopea Marina, in which all kinds of Turkish meze, grilled meat, deserts and drinks were served. We really enjoyed this cosy atmosphere!

You can read more about other races team 'Armada' joined in Turkey on our website under 'Marmaris Race Week' and 'Bodrum Race Week'

pictures here


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