The ARC+ fleet got underway in good conditions today as they set out on Leg 2 of ARC+ from São Vicente in the Cape Verde Islands to Saint Lucia. Conditions at the start were good with a NE wind of around 12 knots blowing across the start line. The port of Mindelo is in a basin however and the frequent gusts from the mountain made for a lively start as yachts crossed the line at 1500 local time 1600 UTC.
The first over the line was the Malo42, Emelin, they were closely followed by Pivot a Sunbeam 44, and third over the line was the Ovni 52 Hasta Luego. The rest of the fleet followed on smoothly across the line.
Shortly after leaving the start the yachts entered the channel with São Vicente to portside and the mountainous Santo Antão to starboard. This sustained the lively wind conditions as the fleet headed off to the west.
The journey is expected to take approximately 13 days after which the fleet will arrive into Rodney Bay Marina where they will be met by the yellow shirt team who will be ready to guide and welcome the fleet throughout the night and day.
Special thanks to Lutz Meyer-Scheel, General Manager of Marina Mindelo, and to all his staff for their hard work and prior preparations in the marina, the Maritime and Immigration Police of São Vicente for their support during the fleet’s visit to Mindelo, and to Kai Brossmann and his team at Boat CV for assisting with all the repairs and spares requested by the fleet.
The yachts are expected to make landfall in Saint Lucia from the 1st December onwards. Their progress can be followed on the ARC Fleet Viewer here