Vasco da Gama Rally reaches India
by Lisa Mylchreest on 28 Apr 2010
Vasco Da Gama Rally 2010 SW
The latest Vasco Da Gama Rally has left Mumbai on its way to Goa and Cochin after another successful journey from the Mediterranean through the Red Sea from Turkey.
In October last year the international sailing yachts set off from Alanya Marina in Turkey with their sights set on India, and arrived into Mumbai over the last couple of weeks of March. The yachts, led by Lodewijk (Lo) Brust, after cooperation with both the Coalition operating in the Gulf of Aden and the Yemeni Coast Guard, took a safe route into the Arabian sea to India. They made stops in Lebanon, Cyprus, Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Yemen, then Oman to India.
Nationalities of the yacht crews included the Netherlands, France, the United States, Italy, the UK, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy and France. During the rally they sailed over 5,000 miles, reaching Mumbai, where they moored at the Royal Bombay Yacht Club then it was on to Goa and Cochin.
The final official leg to Goa saw the sailors sampling the visual treat of the splendid Kulaba - Konkan coast, replete with historical forts, islands and virgin beaches. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has thrown in its mite to showcase this golden heritage and have facilitated a halt for the yachts at the famous Jaigarh fort. The yachts will sail on later to Cochin where many of them will shelter for the duration of the monsoons.
Kochi International Marina, the first in India, opened last week, adding a sea-based adventure tourism feather to the city's cap, which also recently acquired an Indian Premier League team.
The rally, organiser Lo Brust is an experienced Red Sea sailor and an intrepid yachtsman who has chartered the coast around India for past 11 years in his yacht Mistral, accompanied by his two dogs.
The first Vasco da Gama Yacht Rally took place between 31 October 2005 and 30 April 2006 and was inspired by the close relations developed with international ports, during previous visits from 1998 to 2003 by Lo Brust.
This first rally already attracted 29 yachts from 11 countries, and was the inspiration for the rallies that followed.
Yes, there will be another rally, and the plans are already underway.
More information on routes, excursions, etc. and enrolment: info@vascodagamarally.nl
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