The end of ARC Europe 2012 is sadly approaching us. The Azores was a fantastic stopover, starting in Horta after the fleet’s Atlantic passage from Bermuda, and then cruising the beautiful islands of Terceira, Sao Miguel and Santa Maria.
Typically the ARC Europe fleet split in the Azores, and this year was no different in that many boats began to make their way up towards Northern Europe. Yachts Asteroid, A Lady, Sana and Emilijah are all making or have made their way to Dublin, so they are likely to enjoy some unofficial welcome parties on arrival after their 1200+NM sail from the Azores. It has been great still following them North via the fleet-viewer and keep up to date with on-goings through their yacht logs. Many thanks going to yacht Halo for your very kind words to the ARC Europe team, hoping you enjoy your last few days at sea together before hitting ‘reality’ with a thud, it’s been a pleasure.
A total of 18 yachts are bound for Lagos, all of which we hope will make it here for our prize giving farewell party on Sunday 17 June. The first boats look to be arriving by tomorrow afternoon having departed the Azores earlier then the majority of the fleet who left Santa Maria on Sunday 10 June. It will be great to have boats together here in Lagos for the final days.
Marina de Lagos is a first class marina and once yachts have checked in, the footbridge across the channel is opened and it is quite an arrival, a real sense of a welcome finish to the long passage across the North Atlantic. Inside the marina the ARC Europe yachts will be berthed together on the same pontoon close by to the many restaurants, cafes and bars. They also have access to the swimming pool and spa and the historic town of Lagos is only a short walk away.
The Volvo Ocean Race is currently into their final leg from Lisbon to Lorient. They have zoomed passed the ARC Europe fleet as they sail round Sao Miguel in the Azores before heading to the French coast. After only 3 days at sea, look where they are!
Glad ARC Europe is a cruising rally, or Rally Control would get no rest at all!
We look forward to greeting you all in the sunshine soon..