The number of boats registered for ARC Europe 2012 is now 30, with half being ARC 2011 participants and one joining from Caribbean 1500 and one returning after circumnavigating with World ARC.

The smallest boat so far is Hanse 370 Outer Limits (NED), and the largest is 18.75m ketch Stefanik. There are 12 nationalities registered, including US and Canadian boats starting their European cruising adventure.

The photo shows the botantic gardens in Sao Miguel, Azores.

Yesterday afternoon showed just how over the past 6 weeks sailing together the ARC Europe yachts have become almost harmonious as they arrived into Lagos one after the other only a few hours apart. After such a long trip it is not made any easier by the strong northerly winds that were gusting up over 30 knots off the land yesterday and make for an interesting last beat up to the marina entrance.

After cruising the islands of the Azores the ARC Europe fleet divides into two groups. Leg 3a group are sailing almost due East the 820NM to Lagos on mainland Portugal whilst Leg 3b group are sailing north east back to ports across the UK and Northern Europe, a leg of 1200NM+.

It has been an early morning for everyone in Vila do Porto with ARC Europe yachts again joining the Acoriano Oriental Yacht Race to take the start at 0900UTC just south of the main breakwater. With lighter than forecast conditions and a southerly swell running it was a little rolly on the committee boat as the yachts were counted down and crossed the line.

At 1900UTC the ARC Europe yachts joined in with the 11 local yachts to participate in the 10th Acoriano Oriental Yacht Race. The race takes it's name from the daily newspaper which sponsors it and footage from the start can be seen on their online version of the newspaper at www.acorianooriental.pt

Either there can't be much on TV in the evenings on Terceira or street bull-running really is the most popular and traditional festivity on the island.  The first records of the street bullfight date back to 1622, during celebrations for the canonization of saint Francisco Xavier.  Nowadays it takes place across the island every evening over a period of a few months with different villages hosting the event. 

Yesterday afternoon the Clube Naval da Horta launched one of their traditional whaling boats and Skipper Joao and crew Nuno took some of the crews out for a great sail around the harbour. The 12m open whaling boats with 9m masts carry a huge amount of canvas and with no keel there was plenty of hiking out and the odd bit of bailing too!

It is a beautiful morning in Horta and the the two boats, Samji and Mojito that arrived during the night will get their first look at the lush green island of Faial and the mountain top of Pico just opposite. It's always a nice surprise to wake up in a new destination after having navigated your way in through the dark and I am sure the crews will be pleasantly surprised.

The ARC rally fleet is taking the last night off from the festivities to complete preparations for the 1800 mile leg to Horta, in the Azores. Three yachts have joined the fleet here in Bermuda; crews expect a much longer passage than Leg 1, as the distance to Horta is 1800 nautical miles.

ARC Europe Leg 1 Prizegiving was held tonight at the St. Georges Dinghy & Sports Club. Many yachts were recognized for participation in taking photographs, writing logs and general seamanship. 

Lady of Lorien sails nearly 1000 miles from Hampton to Bermuda, in an effort to avoid the worst of the weather which has been sitting over the island for nearly a week now.

Saturday morning, with the weather finally moderating, will see the departure of the sister Atlantic Cup rally fleet from Bermuda. At the same time, we expect the last two ARC Europe boats to arrive, with Lady of Lorien and Elscoare nearing Bermuda today. [Photo of Elsocare at the start in Hampton]

For the crews at sea coming into some weather as they approach Bermuda the sunny start in Nanny Cay may seem like a long time ago but click Full Story to watch as the 11 yachts set off on the first leg of ARC Europe 2011  

Under clear skies and with a fresh breeze, the ARC Europe fleet got under way this morning in the Chesapeake, bound for Bermuda. The ARC Europe yacht Kalandia, who are awaiting a crewmember arrival, acted as committee boat for the start line just south of Thimble Shoals Lighthouse.

After several days of quite overcast weather the sun has been shining all day in Tortola and made for a more than pleasant start of ARC Europe 2011 from Nanny Cay. There is a little buzz of excitement that runs through Nanny Cay on the morning of the start right from first light.