Off to a Flying Start
Following an entertaining week and busy morning of last minute preparations, crew arrivals and the formalities, the ARC USA and ARC Europe fleets are now on their way cruising North through the British Virgin Islands.
A strong easterly breeze gusting up to 20 knots set the stage for what was an exciting start with 9 ARC USA and 23 ARC Europe yachts taking to the line at 1200 today. The downwind white sail start saw the yacht Webster, a Hanse 430 tactically cross the line first closely followed by David Smiths Catamaran Easy Rider and Dark Star, a Sou’ Wester 48 crossing in third. Two yachts, Malisi and Puerki, will have a postponed start leaving Nanny Cay due to delayed arrivals of crew, however both aim to catch the fleet over the coming days.
After a farewell dinner last night, the remaining 7 yachts of the ARC Europe fleet started simultaneously today departing Portsmouth Harbour in light winds sailing to join the fleet for arrival in Bermuda.
As the fleet sail north leaving the BVI behind them, 8 of the ARC USA fleet will change their heading to Fort Lauderdale whilst the remainder of the fleet continue their course to Bermuda for the next stage of their ARC Europe Rally.
Safe Sailing and fair winds!
Following an entertaining week and busy morning of last minute preparations, crew arrivals and formalities, the ARC USA and ARC Europe fleets are now on their way cruising North.
Conditions for the start of both rallies in Tortola were great. Sunny skies and a strong easterly breeze gusting up to 20 knots set the stage for what was an exciting start with 9 ARC USA and 23 ARC Europe yachts taking to the line that was marked by the committee vessel 'Husky Salvage' at 1200 today. The downwind white sail start saw Charile Baynes yacht Webster, a Hanse 430, tactically cross the line first closely followed by Catamaran Easy Rider and Dark Star, a Sou’ Wester 48 crossing in third. Two yachts, Malisi and Puerki, will have a postponed from Nanny Cay due to delayed arrivals of crew, however both aim to catch the fleet over the coming days.
As the fleet sail north leaving the BVI behind them, 8 of the ARC USA fleet will change their heading to Fort Lauderdale whilst the remainder of the fleet continue their course to Bermuda for the next stage of ARC Europe where a further two yachts will join the rally and their crossing to the Azores.
After a farewell dinner last night at Roger Browns where family and friends joined crews before setting sail , the remaining 7 yachts of the ARC Europe fleet started at 1220 today departing Portsmouth Harbour. Although lighter wind conditions than Tortola, all yachts started including Persistent Lady who's rally looked unlikely following a busy period in the boat yard. However, help from Ocean Marine Yacht Centre allowed the fleet to depart as one on a favourable beam reach sailing to join the rest of the fleet for arrival in Bermuda.
Safe Sailing and fair winds!