Half Way Around The World

On Thursday, the 17^th July  23 Yachts left the Port at eleven o clock local time to sail there last Crossing of the Pacific Ocean. 1150nm from Port Vila, around the North of New Caledonia, passing Melish and Marion Reef along the way, through the great Barrier Reef and to Mackay.

With their arrival in the Australian Port, the Sailors not only have completed their crossing of the Pacific Ocean – they have sailed half the way around the world!

It were cheerful days in Mackay. The passage went well for everybody: “ Champagne Sailing”, “Dream Conditions” – a pure Joy! Finishing off the successful crossing, jumping and breaching whales were the “Grande Finale”

After a few days rest, the sailors once again had to get up early. At 0430 in the morning the bus for the WorldARC Tour left the marina to catch a glimpse of wallabies and kangaroos that come to the beach to feed on mangrove seed pods washed up by the tide.

The most picturesque (and only)  time to see these marsupials on the beach at Cape Hillsborough National Park is at sunrise.  

The Farewell Dinner and Prizegiving on Sunday evening was another highlight and a highly enjoyable evening!

It was a night of fun, laughter, memories, applause, music and singing, as the  fleet celebrated the halfway stage of the rally. Every boat was awarded with their own Pacific Crossing Certificate and each winner out of the three classes was awarded with a small Prize!

Congratulations to the Winners of

Class A: Saltair, Genestho & Pat Bon

Class B: Magaia, Bluewater Mooney & Gertha 5

Multihull Division: Pure Joy, Mulan & Freya

Our Spirit of the ARC Prize was awarded to Zena and Jason from Pure Joy and Nauti Girl, who organized a fundraising in Vanuatu to buy and supply three Guitars and a dozen of footballs to the Communities on Tanna Island and Eromango.

It was an emotional evening as well. Three Yachts, Genestho, One Distraction and Nakula left the Rally in Mackay to continue their own adventures. But also Yellowshirt Paul left the Rally in Mackay to return into sailing.

It was a great time we spent together, and we hope that our wakes are crossing again, soon!

Fair winds!