European Match Race Tour Round 4 at Marmaris, Turkey

The 4th Stop of the European Match Race Tour - Marmaris, Turkey © Match Race

Under the auspices of the Mugla Governorate, and with the impeccable organization of the Datça and Marmaris Yacht Clubs alongside the Turkish Sailing Federation and World Sailing, Marmaris became, for the first time, the stage for one of the most anticipated stops of the 2025 European Match Race Tour.

For four days, the turquoise waters of the Aegean provided an unbeatable setting for the 4th stop of the Grade 3 European match race circuit. Marmaris, a privileged enclave on Turkey's southwestern coast, surrounded by forested mountains and boasting a natural harbor blending Ottoman history with modern tourism, experienced an unprecedented sporting event. Its promenades vibrated with the colors of sails and the bustle of fans, locals, and visitors, who found in this event a spectacle as vibrant as the city itself.

The Aegean winds, faithful to their appointment, did not fail a single day. Blowing consistently between 14 and 18 knots, they gave the competition an electric character and ensured a tactical game of the highest level. The parity among the 10 participating teams was evident from the very first match: representatives from Spain, England, Sweden, Bulgaria, Poland, Turkey, Greece, and Italy faced off in intense races where every maneuver and tack could tip the balance.

The competitive spirit was accompanied by a camaraderie that reflects the essence of match racing: direct duels, close contact with rivals, and constant reading of both wind and opponent. In Marmaris, no team was easily dominated; the leaderboard was a true roller coaster, with surprises each day and an engaged audience celebrating both the skill of the locals and the ambition of the visitors.

Meanwhile, the city shone in all its splendor. Crews and companions enjoyed its bazaars, Turkish hospitality, and the fusion of tradition and modernity that defines Marmaris. From the fortress overlooking the harbor to the golden sand beaches and hidden coves around the peninsula, the town became a protagonist of the event itself, reminding everyone that sailing is also a cultural and human journey.

The 4th Stop of the European Match Race Tour - Marmaris, Turkey - photo © Match Race

The 4th stop of the 2025 European Tour will be remembered not only for the quality of the competition but also for the unique atmosphere Marmaris offered: a setting where sport, nature, and hospitality combined to establish Turkey as an emerging destination on the international sailing calendar. With this event, the circuit entered its decisive phase, leaving a sense of absolute equality among teams and the certainty that the 2025 title would be decided only at the very last moment.

The championship began with the essential boat familiarization sessions on the "11 One Design," an 11-meter-long vessel specially chosen for its suitability to Marmaris waters. These waters, famous for their near absence of waves and consistent winds, provide the perfect stage for a duel of pure tactics and skill, where every maneuver is felt with absolute clarity and even the smallest error is immediately exposed.

Far from being a simple boat, the 11 One Design presents a high-level technical challenge. Equipped with sheets, backstay, and bars, every detail of its trim demands absolute coordination from the crew. In match racing, where boats sail just meters apart and each tack can decide a race, these elements become a constant test of reflexes, physical strength, and teamwork.

The added challenge is that it is not just about pure speed, but mastering a demanding boat under direct pressure from the opponent. On board, every role gains critical importance: bowsmen alert to every detail, trimmers working tirelessly to push the sails to the limit, and skippers reading the wind and rivals with surgical precision.

Communication, often shouted over the roar of the wind but without hostility, became an art of synchronization to keep the boat performing at its peak.

The 11 One Design does not forgive. Its immediate response to rig adjustments and skipper commands makes it a perfect match racing tool, but also a harsh opponent when fatigue or tension sets in. Each race became a dual challenge: defeating the rival while mastering the boat itself.

In Marmaris, this technical difficulty translated into a thrilling spectacle: boats almost bow-to-bow, sailors pushing maneuvers to the limit, and a crowd able to witness the raw beauty of a discipline demanding both body and mind.

The matches began with intensity that quickly captivated both seasoned fans and newcomers to match racing. The initial Round Robin revealed the cards: local talent Doga Aribas (Turkey) emerged as the standout in the qualifying phase. His high-level sailing experience allowed him to dominate each duel authoritatively, accumulating consecutive victories and entering the knockout stage as the top seed.

Following him, three notable names completed the finalist quartet: Matthew Greenfield (England), whose tactical solidity reflects Britain's match racing tradition; Manos Chatzigiannis (Greece), always combative with exquisite wind-reading skills; and fellow Turk Erman Ayyvaz, who showed remarkable growth under pressure throughout the preliminary rounds.

The battle for the top positions was fierce and spectacular. Thanks to the impeccable organization of the Marmaris Yacht Club, which installed stands along the pier, spectators witnessed every tack, penalty, and bow crossing up close, almost as if they were on the racecourse. Adrenaline was palpable, and applause followed every daring maneuver.

In the finals, the scene shifted. Where it seemed Doga Aribas would remain unbeaten, Erman Ayyvaz emerged powerfully, sailing with determination, composure, and masterful control of the 11 One Design. With flawless progression, he capitalized on every opportunity, imposed his rhythm, and ultimately lifted the title on the waters of Marmaris.

Ayyvaz's victory does not diminish the achievements of his rivals: Aribas displayed impeccable consistency; Greenfield offered flashes of strategic brilliance; and Chatzigiannis remained competitive to the very last meter. Together, they elevated the championship's quality and delivered a show the audience will hardly forget.

Thus, Marmaris crowned a local winner but, above all, celebrated the spirit of match racing: a discipline where one person's glory never eclipses the collective greatness of all participants.

The Cigarrán Sailing Team arrived in Marmaris with the determination of those who understand that in match racing, every race is a final. From the first duel, the team displayed a combative attitude, giving nothing away and pushing everyone to their limits.

It is true that procedural errors and lack of full crew coordination weighed at key moments, resulting in up to three black flags that hindered their chances of advancing. Yet, far from surrendering, the Cigarrán Sailing Team became synonymous with fight, intensity, and spectacle.

Every tack was a statement of intent: concede nothing to the opponent, sail to the limit, and turn each duel into a test of tactical and mental endurance. Though the path to the finals closed, the team left its mark in Marmaris with memorable duels and maneuvers as risky as they were brilliant—ones that will linger in collective memory long after the results.

At the championship's end, the Cigarrán Sailing Team did not lift the trophy, but they gained an intangible capital of experience, respect, and recognition—essential ingredients to return stronger in future European Tour stops. Their time in Marmaris will be remembered not for the black flags, but for the team spirit and passion with which they honored every duel on the Aegean waters.

The 4th stop of the 2025 European Match Race Tour in Marmaris concluded with the certainty that sailing is far more than speed: it is strategy, precision, and shared passion. Between local victories and unforgettable maneuvers, the Turkish city secured its place on the international sailing calendar and provided a stage where every wave and tack carried emotion.

For the Cigarrán Sailing Team, Marmaris was not a closure but a lesson and an inspiration: the experience gained in intense duels and the camaraderie forged on the racecourse becomes fuel for future challenges. As the Aegean winds calm and the sails are furled, the memory of this week remains etched in all who experienced it: sailors, fans, and the people of Marmaris, united by the thrill of a match race that will be hard to forget.