After departing Rodney Bay on the 9th of January 2016 World ARC fleet have commenced their 15 month circumnavigation. It has been a quick passage across the Caribbean Sea with the yachts making great sailing towards their first destination in the programme, Santa Marta on Colombia’s Caribbean Coast. The first part of the passage has been quite windy with some yachts reaching averages of 9.5 knots then slowing down in the second part along the coast of South America to 7 knots.
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First yacht to arrive was the Swedish yacht Spirit V a Baltic 56 who completed the 800 NM passage in just over 4 days. Spirit V was escorted across the finish line by a vessel from the Colombian Coast Guard and a press boat. Rally Control joined the fleet with a group of local representatives aboard the motor yacht Panache.
The crew from Spirit V was welcomed on the pontoon by the vice Minister of Tourism Sandra Howard, the Managing Director of World Cruising Club Andrew Bishop and several journalists and photographers from leading international sailing magazines and from local newspapers.
Erik from Spirit V commented ”Great sailing during the passage and happy to be arrived so quickly in Colombia!”
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Founded in 1525 Santa Marta is the oldest surviving city on the South American Continent and an important Colonial city of Colombia. It is a beautiful historic city and a rapidly developing tourist destination. For the beauty of his monuments and the stunning natural environment of his sandy beaches the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Tayrona National Park , Santa Marta is called” The Pearl of Americas”.
There is a very exciting program planned for the fleet here in Santa Marta over the next week, starting with city tours of Santa Marta, a BBQ Party at Tayrona National Park, a visit at a local Foundation and a Dinner with Prize Giving at Club Santa Marta.
Founded in 1525 Santa Marta is the oldest surviving city on the South American Continent and an important Colonial city of Colombia. It is a beautiful historic city and a rapidly developing tourist destination. For the beauty of his monuments and the stunning natural environment of his sandy beaches the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Tayrona National Park , Santa Marta is called” The Pearl of Americas”.
There is a very exciting program planned for the fleet here in Santa Marta over the next week, starting with city tours of Santa Marta, a BBQ Party at Tayrona National Park, a visit at a local Foundation and a Dinner with Prize Giving at Club Santa Marta.
Founded in 1525 Santa Marta is the oldest surviving city on the South American Continent and an important Colonial city of Colombia. It is a beautiful historic city and a rapidly developing tourist destination. For the beauty of his monuments and the stunning natural environment of his sandy beaches the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Tayrona National Park , Santa Marta is called” The Pearl of Americas”.
There is a very exciting program planned for the fleet here in Santa Marta over the next week, starting with city tours of Santa Marta, a BBQ Party at Tayrona National Park, a visit at a local Foundation and a Dinner with Prize Giving at Club Santa Marta.