Tenzor International Cup - J/70 Open Winter Series 2024-2025 - Stage 1 Overall
by Burak Zengin 16 Dec 2024 04:49 UTC
12-15 December 2024
The first stage of Tenzor International Cup - J/70 Open Winter Series 2024-2025, which has been hot and cold, rainy and sunny, but always very competitive, came to an end.
After the first two days of competition and 6 races sailed, the weather forecast predicted heavy rain for the 3rd and final day of regatta, with the wind increasing as the hours went by. Indeed, the morning wind and wave height were suitable for racing.
"The first start was clear and 16 boats took to the course at 11:20 local time", - commented the PRO Can Giray. - "The wind was around 15 knots out of 130-140 degrees. After the 7th race of the series, which was completed in 45 minutes without any problems, the RC immediately started the starting procedures for the 8th race. However, the fleet, which had been excited by the excitement of the competition, was all OCS (on the course side). RC then started with the 'U' pennant at the second attempt. The restart of the 8th race went off without a hitch. Due to a change in wind direction, the windward mark was moved and the start of the 9th and final race of the week began to rain. By the time we reached the shore all the competitors were wet but smiling."
It was a really intense and full of emotions races and the intrigue was on the peak.
In the duel of two leaders - Russian Bogatyrs and Tenzor Team, this time the fortune and better results were on the side of Igor Rytov's crew. So, Bogatyrs has started the Series with a win, Tenzor Team became second. Governor of Bodrum Mr. Mustafa Cil congratulated the winners and awarded them with medals and trophy. Together with him Mr. Serdar Kayhan, the regional representative of Turkish Sailing Federationa and Mr. Tayyar Gundogan, the representative of the Bodrum Mayor, have attended the prize-giving ceremony.
"We got a fortune sometimes and did our best during the racing days", said Konstantin Besputin, tactician of Bogatyrs team. - "We are satisfied with a new boat which is better in speed, so we hope to continue in same way. Tenzor Team was fighting till the end, we congratulate them with a place on podium. And I can mark a very good level of Turkish Eker Sailing Team and Cheese Sailing in this stage. For sure, next stage will be even more challenging."
"It was an exciting day with interesting conditions - big waves and strong wind. We had some technical mistakes and problems with maneuvers. Little by little we fell behind the leaders in every race. Nevertheless, it was nice to fight and give in to a strong team. The guys did a great job, congratulations to them. We have a lot to work on and improve for the next stage", - resumed Daniil Odintsov, tactician of Tenzor Team.
For the 3rd place on podium there were several contenders. Eker Sailing Team led by Cem Gozen did not allow his rivals to disturb its advantage and confidently saved his place on podium.
Cem Gozen (Eker Sailing Team): "Today races were really challenging in a strong wind, big waves, raining, so we were racing in planning mode. For us the first two races of the day were ok, but in the last we had a couple of problems. Anyway, everything ended fine and we are on podium! It was really challenging and tricky to make the mark turning on downlwind when probably 8 boats come together. We worked very well in the team, even it is our first time in one crew. We know each other very well, each of us know what to do on the boat, but with tactics we needed time to organize good work."
Not stable results with up and down in top-10 brought the Cheese Sailing on 4th position in overall standings followed by Gaswar and Dolce Vita teams. The next four teams - Hubex, Trem Sailing Team, Atoll Sailing Team and IVEDI completed the top-10.
In Corinthian division there was a very tight fight in final race day between Orient Express skippered by Arif Gurdenli and O1 Properties led by Petr Bukin. As a result, Orient Express win with 1 point of gap from O1Properties. Ayaz JR team closed the top-3 in Corinthians.
"We have a new team staff, with two new crew members. This year there are many teams entered regatta and several newcomers. Most of teams are strong and it was very good competition. On the first day we were doing better then expecting, on second day our scores were not so good even it was a light wind and we are a lightweight team. We did a lot of briefings after that dicussing how we can improve. So, the final day we worked very well. It was fantastic weather, because the wind was coming from the south with big waves and surfing conditions. Overall, organization was really good, we are looking forward for the next stage", - commented Arif Gurdenli, helmsman of Orient Express team.
"The regatta was great, we raced in different wind conditions. Last day was quite challenging as there was a wind direction with a wave, and technically we had some problems, because our helmsman had his first experience in this position. However, we did well and are pleased with the results. It was our debut in this series. I am sure that we will improve speed and team work from stage to stage", explained Eduard Skornyakov, tactician of O1 Properties team.
The next meeting of the sailors competing in Tenzor International Cup - J/70 Open Winter Series 2024-2025 is scheduled for January 16-19, 2025 on its second Stage.
Overall Stage 1 Results: (top ten)
1. Russian Bogatyrs 13 pts
2. Tenzor Team 21 pts
3. Eker Sailing team 37 pts
4. Cheese Sailing 43 pts
5. Gaswar 47 pts
6. Dolce Vita 49 pts
7. Hubex 51 pts
8. TREM Sailing Team 55 pts
9. Atoll Sailing Team 62 pts
10. IVEDI 63 pts
Corinthian Stage 1 Results: (top three)
1. Orient Express
2. O1 Propreties
3. Ayaz JR