Warm sun but only a few hours of wind for the final sail to Lagos

The Rally Portugal 2012 fleet sailed their last leg yesterday from Sines down to Marina de Lagos, on Portugal’s sunny Algarve coast. It was a long day sail of 75 miles, and the boats set off from Sines between 0600 and 0600 to ensure they arrived at their destination in good time.

The winds were very light for the morning, meaning motoring for all for a while. When Cape St Vincent was in sight however, winds dramatically picked up out of nowhere and provided a few hours of sailing for the final run.

As the fleet rounded Cape St Vincent, many dipped their ensigns in an age-old tradition in honour of Admiral Nelson. There was also plenty of friendly banter on the VHF throughout the warm day, as the crews chatted about conditions and how they were all sailing in what was their last day at sea together on the Rally.

This evening everyone will get together in the Waypoint restaurant here in Marina de Lagos for an exclusive final prizegiving evening with dinner and special awards ceremony.