After around 1,900 miles and 11.5 days since sailing out through the Town Cut in Bermuda 'Dala', a Leopard 48 catamaran, was the first ARC Europe yacht to arrive here in Horta. At 1846 they crossed the finish line off the outer breakwater and came in to be welcomed on the customs dock. Albert, Joelle and Richard, happy to be ashore on such a sunny day, received a welcome pack from the Azores Tourist Board and also had the role of hoisting the rally flag in the marina - not much breeze to keep it flying!
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Albert said they enjoyed the crossing especially the first 5 or 6 days when they had the best sailing in those south west winds. They topped out at around 15knots SOG and certainly made great progress in the first half of the crossing. Staying closer to the rhumb line they sailed with Zera closing in on them and could see them in their binoculars making good progress, until they lost their spinnaker. Only seeing one container ship on the trip they did spot plenty of wildlife in the calm conditions; dolphins, whales, turtles and plenty of jellyfish. Closer in to the Azores they spotted the island of Pico (in the background of the photo) from about 25 miles out.
Due in on the 1st June is Bluewater Mooney and Zera, then the 2nd June is looking very busy with 10 boats throughout the day.