After four days of preparation and parties in Plymouth, today was the start day for the 15 yachts crossing Biscay with ARC Portugal 2014. Ahead of them lies 550 nautical miles of offshore sailing to reach their first destination, the attractive harbour of Bayona in north western Spain.
Under a light layer of clearing cloud, with a moderate 12-15 knots breeze from the WNW, the boats pointed their bows to the southwest and the crews bid a fond farewell to Plymouth, and to the rally hosts, Mayflower Marina.
ARC Portugal is first and foremost a cruising rally, however a group start off the Royal Plymouth Corinthian line provided a spectacle for the crews afloat and well-wishers ashore, and a hint of competition to add to the fun. First across the line, accelerating on the wind, was the J/46 Garretty, closely followed by First 405, Spirit III, whose crew were optimistically and loudly blasting out the song ‘We are the Champions’ as they crossed the start. Hapatoni, complete with canine crew member Hudson the Beagle were close on their tail, as indeed a beagle should be! The start created a fine sight as the fleet headed across Plymouth Sound, and out through the western entrance of the breakwater, toward the open sea. Family and friends supporting on shore, some of whom will be flying to Bayona for the sail down the Portuguese coast, were waving to their loved ones heading to sea.
The rally boats are expected to arrive in Bayona after between four to six days at sea, and are currently forecast to experience a mixture of weather en route. Today and tomorrow should be relatively light winds as they pass Ushant and head into the Bay of Biscay, with favourable stronger winds from Tuesday to push them across the Bay of Biscay.
Each yacht is fitted with a Yellowbrick satellite tracker, giving position, heading and speed every four hours. An email and VHF communication net will pass positions and weather forecasts out to the boats whilst those ashore can follow their progress via the fleet tracker and the blogs and photos uploaded to the rally website.
Safe Sailing!