The second edition ARC+ Cape Verde set sail from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria today, Sunday 9 November, bound for Mindelo in the Cape Verde Islands. A brisk northerly wind provided near perfect sailing, with just a one metre swell making it a little rock and roll for some. The 51 boat fleet are set to enjoy some textbook tradewind sailing for the first part of their Atlantic crossing.
First boats to cross the start line
While the ARC+ is a cruising rally, there is a timed start and this year the Salvamento Maritimo loaned their impressive rescue ship, the Miguel de Cevantes as the Committee Vessel.
Always eager and back for a second year David Smith’s Voyage 440 Easy Rider 2 (GBR) was early on the start line. Purr-fect (USA) a Lagoon 380 sailed by David and Linda Witham, lived up to her name with a start that was just that as she sailed over the line closely followed by Makena (USA), Babsea (AUT) and Wipaca (CUB). 12 catamarans make up the Multihull Division of ARC+.
Conditions were rather more rock and roll for the monohulls, with a 1m swell pushed up by an 18 knot northerly breeze making for some exciting jostling on the start line. Apollon (CZE) triumphed and crossed the line first, followed closely by Hallberg Rassy 35 Shira (NED) and Dagmar and Jens Garlin on their XP-44 GarliX (GER).
The fleet is are now on their way to Mindelo, 865NM to the southwest of Gran Canaria. The weather forecast suggests moderate north-easterly trade winds for the passage enabling the boats to make good mileage, and we hope to be welcoming the majority of the fleet into Mindelo over Friday 14 and Saturday 15 November.
Farewell to Las Palmas
In the 10 days of ARC+ activities in Las Palmas, the ARC+ participants become an important part of the city, and they always receive a warm send-off. Boats left the docks being waved off by neighbouring ARC rally crews who will not be departing Las Palmas until 23 November.
Follow the fleet
All ARC+ boats are fitted with the latest version of the YB Tracking Satellite trackers, allowing family and friends to follow the fleet from the comfort of their own home. As well as position, the online Fleet Viewer displays heading, speed and boat information. Wind direction and speed is also shown. Follow the fleet online here