World Cruising Club have a proposed new schedule for ARC Portugal 2020, the annual rally sailing from Plymouth, UK, to Marina de Lagos on Portugal’s Algarve. In light of the international restrictions in place to contain the spread of the coronavirus, and with the welfare of all involved in the event in mind, the rally’s original dates planned for June were rescheduled. It is hoped that later this summer restriction measures will have eased to enable the rally to take place in late August. World Cruising Club will continue to monitor the situation and follow international directives relating to tourism and events in the coming weeks. By announcing the proposed schedule, we hope to provide some optimism and support to those still planning to sail south to Marina de Lagos this year.
ARC Portugal, now in its 26th year, is planned to depart from Mayflower Marina in Plymouth on Sunday 16 August 2020 and conclude at Marina de Lagos on Saturday 5 September. In preparation for crossing the Bay of Biscay, World Cruising Club support participants with a pre-departure programme including safety checks on board every boat and briefings on what to expect on the 550m passage to Bayona. Once re-grouped on the Galician coast, the rally then visits the welcoming yacht clubs and marinas in Povoa de Varzim, Figueira da Foz, Peniche, Oeiras and Sines. This scenic and social rally is credited as much more than a delivery trip to the Algarve and we hope the 2020 edition will be no different with participants able to enjoy guided visits ashore to explore historic cities, excellent meals with breath-taking views and introductions to life-long cruising friends.
ARC Portugal 2020 Schedule
| Date |
Details |
Miles |
| 13 August |
Rally office opens in Plymouth |
|
| 16 August |
Stage 1: Plymouth to Bayona |
550 NM |
| 25 August |
Stage 2: Bayona to Povoa de Varzim |
50 NM |
| 28 August |
Stage 3: Povoa to Figueira da Foz |
65 NM |
| 30 August |
Stage 4: Figueira to Peniche |
55 NM |
| 31 August | Stage 5: Peniche to Oeiras | 50 NM |
| 2 September | Stage 6: Oeiras to Sines | 50 NM |
| 4 September | Stage 7: Sines to Lagos | 75 NM |
| 5 September | Final prize giving in Lagos | |
For those planning their trip to Marina de Lagos next year, the proposed schedule is also confirmed for June 2021.
Click here to request an information pack with full details of the rally benefits, itinerary, costs and safety equipment requirements.