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The Rally Portugal fleet finally set sail away from the UK coastline today (Saturday) after what has been the longest delay to the start in the Rally's 17 year history. Following an extremely unusual set of low pressure systems forming in the Atlantic this week, the boats were advised to stay put until a suitable weather window appeared to make the crossing to Bayona.
Between 1200 and 1400 hours local time, 10 of the 11 Rally Portugal boats that have been based in Falmouth since Monday slipped lines and headed out into the English Channel for the start of their Biscay crossing. Terry Cairns' Hallbery Rassy 'Miss Charlotte' will set off from Falmouth in the morning.
Four of the Rally boats took the decision earlier in the week to head across to France, hoping to get some headway and set off for Spain earlier, but the exceptionally unusual low pressure system that has seen winds of up to 70mph along the coastlines of SW England and NW France over the past few days made it impossible for any of the boats to leave port, whatever their position. Ailsa, Gertha 4, Moonstream and Murphy, all of whom have been in France since earlier in the week, will set off soon after the Falmouth boats, and hope to arrive in Bayona soon after the rest of the fleet.
With another low pressure system set to develop off Finistere (NW tip of Spain) late on Wednesday evening, the boats are aiming to give themselves plenty of leeway, and be south of that area by Wednesday lunchtime, which should be easily achievable given the current forecasted weather conditions and their time of departure. The 480 nautical miles from Falmouth to Finistere requires a boat speed average of 5 knots to get there by Wednesday lunchtime, an amount which all the Rally boats can comfortably sit at under engine even if the wind dies and their sailing speed decreases.
The first boats are expected to complete the 550nm crossing to Bayona, in north west Spain, by Tuesday night, with the rest of the fleet probably arrving through Wednesday and the early hours of Thursday. Despite the delay in the start to the Rally, there is still a busy and comprehensive programme of shoreside activitites planned for all when they reach the Iberian coastline, and of course, plenty of welcome sangria...
Follow the progress of the fleet by heading to the Rally Portugal home page and clicking on 'Fleet Viewer' on the right hand side.
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