Here are some photos of the ARC Rally.
Moonshadow romps across Rodney Bay to be the 19th yacht to finish the ARC Trans-Atlantic Rally out of 233 starters.
This “painting” out in front of the ARC Office in Las Palmas was done in colored salt. It didn’t look so good after the first rain.
Moonshadow all dressed and ready to go in Marina Las Palmas.
The 18 meter + dock at Las Palmas. Which rig do you think is Moonshadow’s?
The ARC MooCrew; Kurt (top left), Charles (top right), Graham (lower left), Merima and George in front of our wall painting.
Merima put in plenty of provisions for a long passage.
Graham dove on the bottom to clean off every bit of growth.
On start day there was a parade around the marina.
With 233 boats heading out to the start line, there was a traffic jam at the marina entrance.
Fireboats on the Las Palmas city front sent the fleet off in style.
The Windies and other cruising friends came out to watch the start and bid us farewell.
We started near the windward end of the start line and then climbed up to clear air above the majority of the fleet.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
It was hand to hand combat with some of the larger boats like Big Spirit, but by nightfall we had shown her our transom.
It was time to have a beer and sing a sea chanty.
The volcanic peak on the island of Tenerife was the last we saw of the Canary Islands.
On the first night we were treated to a beautiful sunset and a green flash.
The next morning the sun rose through the red dust blowing off the Sahara Desert.
A pilot whale crossed our bow.
The boys set about to repair the reacher.
Another morning, another beautiful sunrise.
A pod of dolphins rush up to greet us.
And play in Moonshadow’s bow wake.
Kurt lathers up and has a shower during a squall.
The winds filled in a bit before sunrise.
Sunset in the spinnaker.
A headstay reach in light airs and calm seas.
Kurt reels in the first of four mahi-mahi we caught on the trip.
Snacktician Merima works hard in the galley turning out beautiful meals.
While we’re gliding along effortlessly at 9.3 knots.
Merima made a cake for George’s birthday.
And there was a birthday party that night.
Kurt drives to windward as the breeze picks up.
The tradewinds finally arrive with northeast winds and following seas.
Mahi-mahi number two.
Merima enjoys a bit of downwind driving.
The big blue MPS was good in light airs.
The 2.2 oz. heavy air kite was a a real work horse and great for tight reaching. This one is a veteran of the 1986 ARC.
Beautiful sunsets kept on coming.
Graham performed delicate surgery to repair the B & G wind instruments.
A small squall showers on the sea.
Merima keeps an eye on the kite trim.
Downwind sailing in the trade winds. This is our wake at 13+ knots.
Tying to outrun a squall.
Afterwards, we got a nice rainbow.
The boys grew beards on the passage.
The seas started to build up as we drew nearer to the West Indies.
We were blasted by squalls day and night for the last two days of the passage.
It was much calmer on the leeward side of St. Lucia. Rounding Pigeon Island (to port) we entered Rodney Bay.
The last leg was a tight reach across Rodney Bay to the finish line.
The ARC committee boat was anchored in the bay, waiting to record our finish.
The MooCrew after crossing the finish line.
We were welcomed to the Rodney Bay Marina with steel pan music.
And a round of pina coladas, beers and a basket of fresh fruit-the beginning of a week of welcome parties.