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The World ARC fleet left from the Galapagos Island today and made their way to their next destination: Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands, in French Polynesia.
The trip will be the longest of the World ARC route, a 2,980 nautical mile journey which is expected to take 2-3 weeks for most of the yachts.
The crossing is likely to be quite slow for the fleet, the equatorial low trough extends south to 7 degrees and unusual very light winds are expected in the area between Galapagos and Marquesas.
Before the start, crews completed clearance procedures out from Galapagos; meeting at the Immigration Office, each received an exit stamp passports and zarpes, or sailing clearances, to go to the Marquesas Islands.
The first yacht across the line was the Nautitech 42 Misto followed buy the Hallberg Raissy 43 North and then the Leopard 46 Laura Dawn.
The wind was about 12/15 knots from E-SE which gave perfect conditions for a beam reach start, with many boats flying colored sails.
Followers can see the progress of the fleet on the World ARC fleet viewer here