A swell start for Leg 3

This morning at 0900 the ARC Portugal fleet checked out at the Club Naval Povoense. The rally team had been checking out the weather since the day before, in hope that the variable conditions would settle and the fleet could depart as planned. 

Luckily this this morning there was a steady northwesterly breeze of about 12 to 15 knots which promised good sailing, but quite a bit of a swell outside the breakwater. Slowly the fleet headed towards the start line leaving the marina in between sets of breaking waves. 

There was a successful and clear start to the third leg of the rally from Povoa de Varzim to Porto, just a 15 mile sail down the coast of Portugal. Dashzani, Saving Grace and Carnival crossed the line in quick succession as With Dignity hoisted their spinnaker to power them to Porto. 

Our thanks to Paolo, Carlos, Maria and all the staff at Marina de Povoa de Varzim for their warm welcome and hospitality during the fleet's stay.