Following the chaos surrounding Hurricane Sandy last week, the Caribbean 1500 fleet has rallied in the past two days to get last-minute work done and are finally at sea! And one full day ahead of schedule.
Earlier this morning, the Rally Office made the announcement official that the BVI fleet would depart on their own accord today following the Skipper's Briefing. This announcement came after a few days analyzing the weather forecast, and determining that a good window exists over the next few days, and that its best to leave early rather than late. The Bahamas Class is heading offshore tonight, but aiming for Beaufort, NC, where they will wait out a forecast low pressure system before continuing on to Green Turtle Cay near the end of next week.
Yachts were to take their own starting times as they crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and headed into the Atlantic, and results of the Cruising Division will be calculated based on this new starting arrangement. The faster boats are expected to make landfall in Tortola in 7-8 days, with the rest of the fleet following thereafter.
A full program of events is on schedule in Nanny Cay Marina and around Tortola, with the Rally Office opening on November 11. The first Caribbean 1500 Welcome Drink and Pizza Happy Hour is scheduled for November 12, with events to follow.
The Caribbean 1500 would like to thank all sponsors and the City of Hampton for their hospitality, especially the Hampton Yacht Club, Hampton Public Piers, West Marine and Bluewater Yacht Center, and rally founder Steve Black for his continued support of the event he made so popular.
Follow the fleet online through the fleet viewer and watch as the boats head south to the islands!
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