European Championship 2003, (18 -23 August 2003)

(Please click on the pictures to enlarge )

After it has become a certainty that 2005 European Pirat Championships would be held in Turkey, our athletes, in order to gain some experience and to test themselves, have wanted to attend the European Pirat Championship which would be held in Austria, Lake of Neusiedl. With the great efforts of President of Turkish Pirat Organization, Erman Celiker, a right has been given to Turkey to participate with 6 boats from the quota of German team. After the announcement of Turkish Pirat Organization that first six team would have right to go to championship, Austria journey has begun. 2 boats from Istanbul and 2 boats from Izmit have decided to participate at the championship.

Those who were in the escort:

-Erman Celiker (President of Turkish Pirat Organization)

- Serafettin Ayder (Administrator)

- TUR 6 Hakan Yilmaz and Yunus Guzelgun ( Izmit Sailing Club)

- TUR 222 Mustafa Unel and Ahmet Buyukunal (Istanbul Sailing Club)

- TUR 7 Salih Sahin and Umut Yalaz (Izmit Sailing Club)

- TUR 155 Mumtaz Unel and Mustafa Sismanyazici (Istanbul Sailing Club)

- Ali Sahip Seyhan ( Coach, Standby athlete of Istanbul Sailing Club, photographer, logistic support)

- Huseyin Kucuk (Driver of the van)

In order to send these 4 boats, Turkish Pirat Organization has built 2 trailers which can carry 2 boats, one on the top of the other. Special part of the trailer was that the top part was able to go down with a spinning wheel, get the boat and go up again with the spinning wheel. At the meantime, UND Shipping have shipped a van, an SUV, and 2 trailers with 4 persons for a symbolic price and made the journey a lot easier. We appreciate them.

Preparation of the boats was the most important step among all preparation process such as correspondences with federation and clubs, visas, flight tickets, etc. Escort gathered at Erenkoy Customs on midnight of August 13th, 2003 and began their trip with boats and 4 persons by depart of UND EGE. All of the members of escort and boats met up at Neusiedl on August 16th evening. Following day was the last day of the races and Karsten Bredt from Germany, who would come to Turkey to give training sessions, got the first place. Next day measurements started. Boats and rudders were weighed. Sails and balloon poles were measured. Billowed floaters, paddles, running safety systems were controlled. (A system which makes the running sticks out about 10 cm when the boat sinks) TUR 155 has had a pole problem, but with the help of good relationships a useful pole has been found. First day races started with a soft weather. We found out that we were slower than the other boats due to the difference our main pole rope systems. We were lacking so many things. We got our best position with TUR 8 and TUR 85. Especially if one cannot lead the group at the start, one can fall behind about 20-30 meters until s/he receives the wind.

At the start of second race, black flag was risen, and 18 boats, including TUR 155, were disqualified. We got the 41st position with TUR 222 as our best. There was a great wind on the last day, and 3 races were held. Even though the plans of having 10-15 races at EURO 2003, only 5 races have been held due to having soft and narrow winds. At the total, our best position has been gotten by TUR 222 as being 68th. German piratters proved that they were best by obtaining first 17 positions. We found out that to be successful, we had to join more races, improve ours and boats’ technique capacities. I wish that all of our piratters would start to prepare from now on, and follow all developments without missing any races for the championship that will be held in Cesme.

                                                                                                                                            Mumtaz Ünel

Some photos from our team...

Euro Pirat -2003 Results (5 race 1 race removable)

Course   : Neusiedler gölü

Route    : Olimpik rota 
Wind    : 2 - 4

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