Tenzor International Cup - J/70 Open Winter Series 2024-2025 - Stage 1 Day 1
by Burak Zengin 14 Dec 20:45 NZDT
12-15 December 2024
Tenzor International Cup – J/70 Open Winter Series 2024-2025 Day 1 © SeaYou Agency
On 13th of December Tenzor International Cup - J/70 Open Winter Series 2024-2025 took the great start in Bodrum at the venue of Tenzor Sailing Club Turkiye.
The five-stages winter series in J/70 class gathered on its first event the sixteen strongest teams from Turkiye, Russia, as well as sailors from France, Ireland and Belarus joining the international team's staff.
The Tenzor International Cup Winter Series is supported by the Turkish Sailing Federation and the J/70 Class Association. Organizers expressed their gratitude to the administrations and Governors of the Mugla and Bodrum regions for their cooperation.
Special guests attended the opening ceremony of regatta.
Serdar Kayihan, the regional representative of Turkish Sailing Federation in his welcoming speech noted that: "Turkish Sailing Federation always welcomes the international sailing races in our country to bring the sailors on these peaceful lands. We are greeting you all and looking forward to seeing you more often in Türkiye. Thanks to Tenzor International Cup organizers and all sponsors".
Oktay Dumruk, the Director of the Youth and Sports in Bodrum emphasized the importance of the international aspect of the project. "We support such international organisations and Bodrum is one of the best options in Türkiye for sailing. We believe Tenzor International Cup will be one of the leading sailing events in this area."
Finally, Tayyar Gündogan, Representative of the Bodrum Mayor expressed his gratitude to all persons involved in the project. "We thank all to Tenzor Sailing Club, all contributers and sports people here in this organisation. We wish you a succesful race period. Enjoy this beautiful sea and the landscape of Bodrum".
In sporting aspect, the first three races were scheduled in the menu of the day. The forecast was very good and suitable for races with 15 to 18kts wind from north. Each race was very intense and full of emotions.
Tenzor Team skippered by Andrey Pushkin took the lead from the beginning and got two wins and one 3rd place with 5 points in total at the end of the day.
"Everything was fine today - good starts, tactics, team's work. Andrey made a great job on the helm. We are happy for the results of the day and try to push till the end in the same way" - concluded Daniil Odintsov, Tenzor team tactician.
Their closest rivals Russian Bogatyrs team led by Igor Rytov finished the day just 2 points behind. Stable finish in leading group allowed Eker Sailing Team by Cem Gozen to climb in TOP-3 of the first race day with 13pts.
Cheese Sailing by Bora Olcav became 4th in provisional results after three races, followed by Dolce Vita and IVEDI teams.
"It was a hard day, strong wind with 3 races. In first race we had some problems in last downwind and able to finished with jib. In second race we made a photo finish with Tenzor Team and in last race we came 5th. We are generally happy, we have new trimmer for this race plus too many different set up on the board. At the end we would like to have podium on Sunday", - said Levent Peynirchi, tactician of Cheese Sailing.
"In general, we are satisfied with the results of the day. The wind conditions were almost exactly like at the final stage of last season, we felt "deja vu". We have an update in the crew, so the first two races got used to each other and worked on communication on the boat. In the second race, there was a tactical mistake from my side, so we could finish higher. Ladt race was perfect. The mood is great, we are waiting for the next races"-explained Alisa Kirilyuk, tactician of Dolce Vita team.
In Corinthian division Orinet Express team skippered by Arif Gurdenli took the comfort lead ahead of Ayaz Team and O1 Properties.
"Today was our first race day as the new team. Our tactician and pitman joined in the team this year and we plan to go full year together. Although we would be the lightest team within the fleet, we did quite ok at today's windy conditions. In the first race we did a mistake at the top mark and to not faul a boat had to make a maneuver that costed us 8 places.
Conditions are tricky with gusts up and down, wind shifting most of the time. This means we have to be alert at all times- both tactics and trimming. Next two races a 6th and a 7th means we are still in the game and look forward to tomorrow. Fleet is very strong, lots of new teams. It will be an interesting season" - resumed Arif Gurdenli, helmsman of Orient Express.
Two more racing days can bring intrigue to the regatta. The prize-winners of the first stage will be defined on Sunday, 15th of December.
Results after Day 1: (top ten, 3 races)
Tenzor Team - 5 pts
Russian Bogatyrs - 7 pts
Eker Sailing Team - 13 pts
Cheese Sailing - 15 pts
Dolce Vita - 18 pts
IVEDI - 21 pts
TREM Sailing Team - 22 pts
Orient Express - 25 pts
Gaswar - 28 pts
Atoll Sailing Team - 28 pts