The 7th edition of the Viking Explorers Rally kicks off in Marina Las Palmas
by Oliver Solanas 12 Dec 2023 08:04 UTC
2024 Viking Explorers Rally © Viking Explorers Rally
The Viking Explorers Rally across the Atlantic started this Sunday 10th of December, as usual since 2018 on the second Sunday of December, with seminars and parties.
An international fleet of 25 boats ranging from 34ft to 76ft and 80 crews from The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, United States, Italy, Spain, Canada, Norway, Denmark, Ireland and Latvia, gathered at the Conference Hall at the Club Maritimo Varadero, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, on the Canary Islands.
As usual, managing Director Oliver Solanas Heinrichs welcomed all sailors and asked every crew to come on stage to present themselves to their fellow sailors. Though most would already know each other, online, due to the Online Get-togethers performed by the rally during previous months. A very fun and emotive presentation took place while Carlota, PR and Viking Explorers Europe Manager, handed over the Welcome Packs to the crews. Marike Derks from Seven Star Yacht Transport, also welcomed all sailors on behalf of the company.
The first seminar was the important Safety Seminar "What If", one of many, as for the next few days several seminars will take place, like Provisioning, Weather or Tricks and Tips for the Caribbean, among others.
After a break, the participants posed for the Viking Explorers Family photo and it already felt like a nice group of sailors with the same aim, to cross the Atlantic in a safe, but more private group. Participants will enjoy a full 2 weeks of seminars, parties, dinners and even improvised pontoon parties, like it happened after the first day of seminars, on Sunday.
After these 2 weeks, participants will have a Christmas break and will gather again on the 4th of January for the important Skippers Briefing, where it will be decided together with the organization if it is safe to leave, weather permitting, on the scheduled 6th of January 2024.The fleet will then set sail towards beautiful Port Louis Marina in Grenada at the West Indies, with an alternative stop in Mindelo, Sao Vicente, at the Cape Verde Islands.
The Viking Explorers have become an interesting alternative to cross the Atlantic. It is a "non competitive" Rally, a 2,700-nautical-mile sailing adventure that takes participants from the Canary Islands to Grenada via Cape Verde. The event, which was first held in 2018, has quickly become a very popular sailing event, attracting participants from all over the globe. Viking Explorers is an exciting exclusive rally with a maximum of 25 boats. With a reduced fleet the rally focusses in giving the best customer service possible and aims to maximize safety and the camaraderie between the fleet
For more information about The Viking Explorers Rally, please visit www.vikingexplorersrally.com.