Largest ever ARC Europe rally fleet starts from Nanny Cay

12:01 AM Sun 10 May 2009 GMT

'ARC Europe fleet takes off - first stop Bermuda' .

In the largest-ever ARC Europe rally, 28 yachts from 12 different countries, crossed the start line off Tortola, British Virgin Islands this week, headed east across the Atlantic.

Many of the yachts are on their homeward back to Europe leg following participating in the World ARC, with others having had a winter season in the Caribbean. Four other yachts will be joining the rally in Bermuda, having started from various ports on the southeastern coast of America.

In blustery east-south-easterly conditions, the fleet started their 840 nautical mile passage to Bermuda, heading to the west of Tortola, leaving Little Thatch and Great Thatch Islands and Jost Van Dyke to starboard.

A crowd of spectator boats bid them a safe farewell for the first leg of the rally, which will finish at Lagos in Portugal towards the end of June, having cruised Bermuda and the Azores Archipelago en route.

ARC Nanny Cay Marina - .. .

Rally 'met-man', the Australian meteorologist Bruce Buckley, who will be sending daily forecasts to the fleet, has predicted that, once away from the Islands, winds should stay in the east-south-east sector around 20 knots; perfect conditions for the 5-7 day passage.

This year is the first time the rally has started from Nanny Cay, and the Marina gave the fleet a terrific send off, hosting a party and dinner for all the crews. Many will be sorry to leave 'Nature's little secret' (as the Islands are billed by the Tourist Board), having enjoyed exploring the British Virgins (BVIs) as a final part of their Caribbean cruising.

About the ARC Europe Rally:

ARC Europe is run by UK based event organisers, World Cruising Club, in association with Yachting World magazine. Every year it crosses the Atlantic from west to east at the end of the Caribbean cruising season, and finishes at Lagos, Portugal. It is open to cruising monohulls with a minimum length of 27 ft (8.23m) and cruising multihulls from 27 to 60 ft (8.23 - 18.29m) LOA. As the Rally is open solely to cruising yachts, they may motor in calm periods; results are calculated for each leg and fun prizes awarded.

For more information click HERE.

by Peta Stuart Hunt/Sail-World