World ARC - Hasta la vista Panama!
by World Cruising on 11 Feb 2017
World ARC 2017-18 World Cruising Club
The World ARC fleet joined back together on the Panamanian Island of Contadora, in the Las Perlas Islands for the Skipper Briefing of Leg 3 to Galapagos and Dinner and Prizegiving for Leg 2. The venue for both functions was spectacular Villa Montecielo on Playa Cacique. The crews really appreciated the dinner; after a welcome drink the fleet enjoyed some lovely BBQ food, served in a spectacular beach side setting. It was a great chance to get together and round-off a wonderful stopover in Contadora.
After the drinks and before the supper the World ARC team announced the winners for Leg 2 from St Lucia to Santa Marta: first in Class A of the Cruising Division was the Dufour 525 ARABELA with the Beneteau 47.7 Sandvita and the Amel 55 Shamal in second and third place respectively. In Class B the Waquiez 40 TAISTEALAI were awarded first place. In second place was the Hallberg Rassy North and third place Skye 51 Skylark. In the multihull division the first was the German Garcia 48 Hanna followed by the Nautitech 44 Misto and the Lagoon570 Sumore.
The World ARC fleet departed at 11 local time today for Galapagos. It was a busy start with few boats choosing to fly spinnakers and gennakers in the 15/20 knots northerly breeze. The crews appeared very competitive and the fleet crossed the line with perfect timing.
The conditions for the leg are expected to be typical for the area and time of year. Stronger north-north-easterly winds will help the boats sail south, but the yachts are expected to sail out of this area of better wind within 48 hrs.
Hopefully soon after though, they will be sufficiently south and west to start to benefit from light south east trades, blowing into the equator.
This passage is expected to take almost one week and the port of entry for the fleet in Galapagos is Baquerizo Moreno on the easterly Galapagos island of San Cristobal.
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