The weather Gods were kind to the ARC Portugal fleet this sunny Sunday morning, allowing for a fantastic start of Leg 1 from Plymouth. The 0900 start was taken from a line off The Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club Plymouth where 17 Rally yachts sailed across the East to West start with an 8-12kt breeze coming from the North-East.
Many yachts took advantage of the Southern end of the start-line where a slightly stronger breeze was apparent due to less wind shadowing in the lee of the Yacht Club. First across was the line was the Hallberg Rassy 43’ Quirine, followed very closely behind Beneteau First 40.7 Abraxas and Hanse 430 Webster.
Members of the public walking along the sea front and around the Plymouth Hoe area stopped to watch the spectacle of the rally fleet heading South under full sail as they left Plymouth behind them. Once clear of the start, yachts could bear away enabling them to set their downwind sails, further increasing the impressive sight as ten yachts successfully hoisted their colourful cruising chutes.
Yachts Casamara and Unleashed will join ARC Portugal in Bayona, taking the fleet up to 19 yachts. Casamara is already across the Biscay while Unleashed will be departing from Plymouth towards Bayona on Monday 3 June after a few minor delays.
It has been a super start to what looks to be another memorable World Cruising Club event. John Easteal from Starblazer called up on VHF 77 thanking the rally team and looking forward to seeing everyone in Bayona. The team would like to thank Mayflower Marina for all their support in the lead up to the start, and look forward to returning next year. For now we wish the fleet fair winds and safe sailing as they cross the Bay of Biscay.