With the Committee Vessel in place the yachts buzzed close by to identify themselves and were soon looking for the best position to start. Andrew Bishop counted down to the start of ARC Europe 2010 and with a clear start line Peter Testen, skipper of yacht “Gin’s”, was first to cross the line in his Hallberg Rassy 48. On a port tack he passed shortly in front of Raymond Polle, on “The Cid II”, and John Easteal, on “Fair Encounter”.
John and Mary Driver on “Shazam” did well to make it out from Nanny Cay in time to take the start line after two days spent repairing a crack in one of their bulkheads. Their J-130 came in close past the Committee Vessel powered up and looks like a quick boat, maybe they will make the finish line first?
As always it is a real spectacle to watch the fleet pass by the line and sail off into the distance. The 18 sets of white sails, and the colourful gennaker of yacht “Ashia” made a great picture against the backdrop of green islands and blue sky, click here to see the gallery. With fair winds the first yachts should be expected to arrive in Bermuda after six or seven days.
This week, in the build up to the start, the participants have enjoyed the evening functions, and have already got to know each other well at the various barbecues and dinners arranged, in a welcome break from preparing their boats for the crossing.
Nanny Cay was the starting port for ARC Europe for the second year, although the rally has been taking place for over twenty years. World Cruising Club Director Andrew Bishop, “All our crews have enjoyed a great stay here in Nanny Cay, and we’re pleased to confirm our commitment to this new home for the event and look forward to coming back again next year. General Manager Miles Sutherland Pilch and his team have worked hard to look after the visitors, and Nanny Cay has proved to be a perfect facility from which to prepare for an Atlantic passage.”
Also starting out for Bermuda yesterday were a contingent from St. Augustine, Florida, where the yacht crews have been hosted by the St. Augustine Yacht Club. The St. Augustine starters “Alma de Sal” and “Fizz of Cowes” will have a similar distance to cover to reach Bermuda where they will meet up with the rest of the fleet before continuing their passage towards the Azores.
