Departing from Plymouth last Sunday, the first yacht from the ARC Portugal fleet, Southerner, a Jeanneau Sun
Odyssey 45DS arrived at 2257 last night in Bayona, Spain. The rally team of Alvaro and Thomas guided them into the Monte Real Club de Yates and took their lines as Howard and his crew moored up to the dock. The Beneteau First 45, A’assifa, followed closely behind crossing the finish line of leg 1 just an hour later. Stephen the skipper said “We had a lovely sail. We had the spinnaker up for 50% of the trip.” Both crews went straight into town to enjoy a nice cold beer to celebrate their arrival. The yachts Carioca (Far 50), Beowulf (Halberg Rassy 42F) and Manihi (Hanse 458) arrived in the early hours of the morning.
The rest of the fleet is due to arrive later this afternoon, where the ARC Portugal team will be waiting for them. The rain in Bayona hasn’t stopped the curiosity of the crews who have gone to explore the town this morning, under their umbrellas.