The ARC Europe flag was raised in the Marina da Horta yesterday and we were initially expecting a flurry of boats to arrive late this weekend. It seems however it may be a few more days before the majority have arrived as the winds have shifted to light headwinds. With it looking like a beat to windward for the final few hundred miles there may be some engines being turned on. The log books coming in are turning from glorious sailing heading direct to Horta to reports of lower VMG's and sailing either to Norway or Nigeria. The upshot is that it's better fishing conditions and almost all boats have reported landing fish for the dinner table.
It is great to have 'Ma Vie' here and they arrived even before the dawn broke this morning for a good 11 day crossing. They did however depart Bermuda two days before the rest of the fleet took the official startline, but Thomas and his crew reported some good 200+ mile days. They have taken their spot in the marina alongside the famous harbour wall and are wondering who from the 3 'unartistic' crew will be selected to paint their boat mural. Superstition says that to leave Horta without having first added your painting to the thousands already there is sure to bring bad winds.
Yachts can expect a busy programme whilst in Horta, with welcome drinks at Peter Cafe Sport, crew suppers, Pico island only a short ferry ride away and the local Clube Naval planning some sailing in their traditional wooden whaling boats it's the start of a great cruise through the beautiful islands of the Azores.