ARC+ 2023: Lighter winds lead to landfall
by World Cruising Club 11 Nov 2023 08:45 UTC
ARC Plus 2023 © World Cruising Club
Over 60 boats are now docked at Marina Mindelo, with another 26 or so expected today, Saturday. The last eight boats are likely to make landfall between Sunday and Wednesday.
White Night (FIN) and Moon Bird (NOR) both left Gran Canaria a couple of days after the start, taking extra time to sort last minute problems. They're now well on their way but will arrive a few days after the rest of the boats, although still in good time to enjoy a few days ashore.
Follow their progress on the free YB Races app, or on our Fleet Viewer.
The wind has continued to ease, and boats still at sea are enjoying a perfect Force 4 - ideal sailing conditions to tidy, cook and do some DIY. Reefs have been shaken out, and coloured sails are again pulling the fleet southwards at a steady 5 knots.
Here's a snapshot of life onboard Northern Light II: 'We thought that this would be the day we arrived in Mindelo but sadly not. Less wind and flatter seas last night meant we made up some ground but today the winds have eased, and the sea is much calmer.
It looks as if we will now arrive tomorrow morning. Tonight was our last meal sailing until we leave from Mindelo on the 17th - Sarah's cauliflower dhal curry with Cat's homemade naan - excellent.' Sounds delicious!
T-Rex is now in Mindelo, but last night wrote: 'The waves have calmed down enough that we are flying both the full main and jib with a whisker pole wing on wing. Unfortunately, the wind is dropping as we get closer to port and sunset.
Our fish catch has also been of the flying variety. One was a survivor; the rest didn't make it. No obvious tugs on our fishing line. We are definitely going to compare notes with Blue Wonder when we get to port.' Blue Wonder's wahoo is the talk of the fleet!
Ashore in Cape Verde
While the crews in Cape Verde catch-up on repairs, tidying and preparing for the Atlantic crossing to Grenada, there is also time to explore ashore. Today and tomorrow, there are tours of Mindelo and Sao Vicente island, and early next week is the opportunity to explore the neighbouring island of Sant Antao.
Sant Antao is the 'greenest' of the Cape Verde islands, with pine forests covering the hills and tropical plants flourishing in the valleys. The scenery is spectacular - dizzyingly vertical and torn by ravines, gorges and valleys, making it the real 'must see' of the archipelago.