The first leg of the so-called ARC+ is 865 nautical miles long. It does not take the crews directly to the Caribbean. Instead, a stopover is planned in Mindelo on the Cape Verde island of São Vicente. Eleven German and six Swiss yachts are among the participants in this version of the Atlantic Rally.
In rough conditions - an unpleasant swell from the north-east had built up off the island's capital Las Palmas di Gran Canaria on Sunday - the flotilla of 75 monohulls and 15 multihulls set off southwards. The wind was initially gusting at over 20 knots, but was expected to give them a fast crossing.
The first boats are expected in the stage harbour on Friday. After a break of a few days, they will then head west across the Atlantic on 21 November. The fastest boats should then reach their destination during the first week of December.
While the 90 yachts set off on their course, a further 1000 sailors from the regular ARC were preparing for the Atlantic passage in Las Palmas. They start on 24 November and will complete the 2700 nautical miles to St. Lucia non-stop.
Pascal Schürmann
Editor YACHT
