The Viking Explorers Rally 2024 on its way to Grenada
by Oliver Solanas 9 Jan 2024 12:41 UTC
6 January 2024
Viking Explorers Rally © Viking Explorers Rally
For the 7th consecutive year the Rally departed as scheduled on the 6th of January towards the beautiful shores of Grenada in the Caribbean. With an intermediate stop in Marina Mindelo in the Cape Verdes, participants expected very light wind conditions.
6 Multihulls and 19 Monohulls, with 80 crews representing 15 countries, from New Zealand to Latvia will sail about 2700 miles across the Atlantic, with Port Louis Marina being their last destination.
After the first preparations, seminars and parties before Christmas, the important Skippers Briefing was attended by all Captains and First Mates two days before departure. Crews were instructed about the route, weather and approach procedures to the marinas, as well as deciding for the departure on the 6th. It was voted to leave in the morning between 10 and 12 utc.
In the evening, participants enjoyed the Captains Dinner, sponsored this year by Seven Star Yacht Transport.
The fleet had been testing their satellite devices with the rally organization to ensure that every boat is able to contact the organization in case of any eventuality and all tracking devices were activated.
It was then time for the scheduled deliveries. Deep frozen and vacuum packed meat, vegetable and fruit deliveries were coordinated by the team, companies and participants.
The clear out from the country was coordinated together with the police and the rally organization as every year.
On the 6th of January in the morning the fleet set sail, expecting a slower sail as usual towards Cape Verde.
Indeed a big storm was developing in the Atlantic which was going to be monitored closely by the organization. Though it would not directly affect the route south to Mindelo, but would have an effect on the trade winds.
The fleet departed under blue skies and light winds from the east for their first 850 miles.
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