World ARC 2018-19 fleet departs La Reunion and sets sail for South Africa
by World Cruising Club 9 Nov 2018 10:03 UTC
World ARC 2018-19 fleet © World Cruising
The beautiful French island territory, La Reunion, continued to provide awe inspiring experiences for the participants as they geared up for the final passage of the Indian Ocean crossing.
After touring the famed Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes, the fleet had plenty of time to explore the remaining beautiful and interesting landscape of Reunion. Hiking is the number one activity in this dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts, and most participants explored by hiking the mountain region of Piton des Neiges, including three spectacular amphitheatres - Cirques of Cilaos, Mafate and Salazie. Quaint villages surrounded by majestic mountains and thundering waterfalls really can take your breath away.
Additional outdoor activities abound, certainly a variety and something for everyone to enjoy!! Crews of Emily Morgan and Mischief took to horse riding, Cayuse and Mad Monkey braved canyoning, Aranui joined Smoke and Roses for trail hiking, Blue Pearl explored under the sea diving; Misto and Timshel flew sky high paragliding over the mountains and lagoon!!
On Wednesday night, 31 October, the World ARC participants showed ghoulish spirit dressing in style for a Halloween dinner/dance party hosted by the Le Dodo Gourmand Restaurant. An excellent dinner was followed by a fantastic band who had the participants singing along and dancing late into the night.
The 1400 nautical mile passage from Reunion to Richard's Bay, South Africa is perhaps the toughest sail for the World ARC's fleets circumnavigation. Skipper's met throughout the week with each other and Rally Control to plan the challenging passage and analyse the ever changing weather patterns. On Saturday 3 November, under sunny skies and very little wind, 19 yachts set out to sea fully prepared for their crossing, excited to make landfall in South Africa and anticipating the satisfaction of joining the group of yachties who have crossed the daunting Indian Ocean.
Merci, merci beaucoup to the Ile de La Reunion Tourisme group, la Dodo Gourmand Restaurant, the Le Port Yacht Club.