The World ARC 2015-16 fleet had great starting conditions as they left from the Galapagos Island today and made their way to their next destination. The trip will be the longest of the World ARC route and will take crews to their 5th country, landing on the island of Hiva Oa in the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia.
But it was an early start this morning. Representative of the local Immigration Office were invited to set up a temporary satellite office in the Rock Café – a venue which crews had become well acquainted with during the evening Happy Hours. They met crews to put an exit stamp in their passports and to provide skippers their zarpe, or sailing clearance, to go to the Marquesas islands.
At the start line, the wind of 15 knots from the south east was very welcome, if a bit unexpected. It allowed the fleet the leave, all on the same tack, heading south west with good speeds. Several boats flew their coloured foresails which really added to the spectacle. The first yacht across the line was the Exocet Strike, followed by Makena, Juno, Luna Quest and Exody. The remainder of the fleet followed in quick succession making for a competitive beginning to this leg.
But with almost 3,000 nautical miles to go, a few boats lengths at the start may not make much difference. The forecast for the leg expected typical conditions. The established tropical high pressure and the equatorial low will eventually provide south east trade wind conditions but the equatorial low trough extends south to 6 degrees south and so it may not be for a few days until the fleet are well within the trades.
The total passage time is expected to be between 15 -25 days. Followers can see the progress of the fleet on the World ARC fleet viewer.