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World Cruising Club: Rally Portugal

World Cruising Club: Rally Portugal
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Cross Biscay and cruise Portugal with this friendly annual cruising rally

  • From Plymouth to Bayona and onwards down the coast of Portugal to Lagos
  • Cross Biscay in company
  • Planned route and plenty of social activities ashore
  • Explore Portugal with organised tours
  • Rally support team in each port


Cruise South with Rally Portugal

Rally Portugal is organised by World Cruising Club as a fun event for both cruising sailors on their way from the UK to the Mediterranean, and those simply looking for an enjoyable summer cruise. A number of ARC yachts also use the rally as a sociable and interesting way to head south.

Rally Portugal starts from Mayflower Marina, Plymouth in late May, crossing Biscay to Bayona in northwest Spain and then following a cruising route of short legs down the coast of Portugal to the finish in Lagos three weeks later. Crossing at this time of year normally offers stable weather conditions in the Bay, while the northerly trade-winds should be firmly established, to give participants enjoyable coastal sailing in Portugal. Secure overnight stops are arranged in attractive ports where there are opportunities to visit places of interest and to enjoy the company of fellow participants and local sailors at parties and other social functions. World Cruising Club have made special arrangements with Portuguese Customs and Immigration, to ensure that the formalities are kept to an absolute minimum.

The rally has been running for over a decade with the support of Marina de Lagos, the premier marina on the Algarve coast of Portugal.


Key Information

  • Rally Portugal will start in Mayflower Marina, Plymouth on 29th May 2011 and finish on 21st June in Marina de Lagos, Portugal.
  • The Rally ports are Plymouth, Bayona, Povoa de Varzim, Figueira da Foz, Peniche, Oeiras, Sines and Lagos.
  • The Rally is open to monohull and multihull sailing yachts between 27-60 ft (8.23-18.29m). Other vessels will be considered on their merits.
  • Minimum crew requirement is two people onboard each yacht.
  • A qualifying cruise of 100nm non-stop or similar experience is required.
  • All yachts are expected to be able to carry sufficient fuel to motor 100nm
  • A range of safety and communications equipment must be carried. The requirements are detailed in the Entry Regulations available from World Cruising Club.

Event Benefits

  • Complete rally organisation
  • WCC staff in each port
  • Free docking
  • Social activities in each port
  • Sightseeing tours in each port
  • Rally flag and numbers
  • Yellowbrick Iridium tracking across Biscay
  • Daily weather forecast and advice
  • Rally Portugal website for uploading logs and photographs
  • Detailed Skippers Handbook in hardback and pdf
  • Regular update newsletters
  • Subscription to the World Cruising Club magazine

What the participants said . . .
Fair Encounter (GBR), Westerly Corsair, Rally Portugal 2009
"Rally Portugal is a very friendly and sociable way to reach the Algarve from the UK with good sailing between well spread ports - so good we've done it twice.”

Dances with Waves (GBR), Westerly Oceanranger, Rally Portugal 2009
"One cannot estimate how important it was to have the Rally Support at first hand. For a first time buyer of a boat who was experiencing a first long passage it has given me confidence and piece of mind taking on the very important duties of a skipper."

Andiamo (GBR), Beneteau Oceanis 423, Rally Portugal 2009
"Top marks, excellent organisation throughout the whole trip. The rally was very well organised in all aspects. The Rally dinners were 1st Class, the other boats were all very friendly and a lot of friends were made."

Twister II (SWE) Sweden Yachts 42, Rally Portugal 2009
"The Rally exceeded our expectations by far, and is a great way to cruise Portugal. Every body should try it."

Lara (GBR) Feeling 446, Rally Portugal 2009
"A well organised, value for money program which reduces the red tape and the stress of such a trip."


How to enter
The entry list is open for the 2010 rally, either online via the website or download the paper form or contact our office to receive a mail by post. Click here for more details.

Dances with Waves (GBR), Westerly Oceanranger, Rally Portugal 2009

Dances with Waves (GBR), Westerly Oceanranger, Rally Portugal 2009

Dances with Waves (GBR), Westerly Oceanranger, Rally Portugal 2009

Rally Portugal 2011 Itinerary at 6 Aug 2010


 Rally Portugal route map



27/29 May

Yachts assemble at Plymouth

30-May

Depart Plymouth for Bayona

Distance 550nm

04-Jun

Visit to Santiago de Compostella

05-Jun

Skippers briefing

06-Jun

Welcome Party and Prize Giving

07-Jun

Bayona to Povoa de Varzim

Distance 50nm

08-Jun

Visit Alto Minho Region and Prize Giving buffet

9-Jun

Visit Porto (by land)

10-Jun

Povoa to Figueira da Foz

Distance 75nm

11-Jun

Visit Coimbra (Historic University and Old City)

12-Jun

Free day, Prize Giving Dinner

13-Jun

Figueira da Foz to Peniche (or Nazare)

Distance 55nm

14-Jun

Tour of local area or visit Obidos (Walled City)

15-Jun

Peniche (or Nazare) to Oeiras

Distance 50nm

16-Jun

Tour of local area and Prize Giving Dinner

17-Jun

Free day to visit Lisbon

18-Jun

Oeiras to Sines

Distance 50nm

19-Jun

Civic Reception followed by free day

20-Jun

Sines to Lagos

Distance 75nm

21-Jun

Tour of local area, evening party

22-Jun

Final Party and Prize Giving



 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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