The first boat is now just a few hours away
from Horta. The German flagged X-562, Teamgeist chose a route north of the rhumb line
and is expected to pass the finish line by 2145 local time (UTC -1) today,
after 11 days at sea. Later in the evening Pure
Elegance, a Dufour 560 is
expected, having opted for sailing south of the rhumb line.
Everyone can expect a great welcome in Horta,
starting with the owner of Peter Café Sport, José Azevedo, who will be pleased to guide participants around
his museum after serving the famous G&T. This history of this famous bar is
known all over the Atlantic and the reason why so many yachties stop here
before the next step of a voyage across the Atlantic.
The ARC Europe fleet has made good progress
since they left St Georges in Bermuda and these first arrivals make landfall at
a good time as Horta marina, one of the busiest sea port in Europe, starts to
say goodbye to several unexpected arrivals due to the bad weather across the
Azores archipelago on the last couple of days.
The Rally
team are well established in Horta, ready to receive the boats and help crews orientate themselves quickly to the first island in this beautiful
islands group.
The fleet progress can be followed in here