This morning the ARC Baltic office opened in Schilksee Marina in Kiel, marking the start of World Cruising Club's first rally in the Baltic Sea. Schilksee Marina is a worthy venue to mark the start of the event with good facilities and services available hosting several regattas including the famous Kieler Woche.
Most of the 27 boats have now arrived in Kiel creating a spectacle, many dressing their yachts overall with bunting and ARC Baltic flags. Following a day of registrations and check-ins at the rally office, skippers and crews were given details of the coming six weeks. Tonight the fleet have a free evening before the planned social programme begins.
Tomorrow is the penultimate day before the rally start. The fleet have a rally and skippers briefing to look forward to where an overview of the six weeks ahead, navigational advice and passage tips will help prepare them for their tour of the Baltic Sea. Welcome drinks and a crew dinner at the Kieler Yacht Club tomorrow evening will for many be the first chance to meet other crews. This said, many have already met on their sail to Kiel and have enjoyed the last week getting to know one another in the marina before the office opened this morning.
With an exciting six weeks ahead, the atmosphere in Schilksee is starting to build ahead of the rally start on Monday.