About

WCC Portuguese Rally 2010

Cruise South with Rally Portugal - Overview

Rally Portugal is organised by World Cruising Club as a fun event for both cruising sailors on their way from the UK to the Mediterranean, and those simply looking for an enjoyable summer cruise. A number of ARC yachts also use the rally as a sociable and interesting way to head south.

Rally Portugal starts from Mayflower Marina, Plymouth on 30 May 10, crossing Biscay to Bayona in northwest Spain and then following a cruising route of short legs down the coast of Portugal to the finish in Lagos 3 weeks later. Crossing at this time of year normally offers stable weather conditions in the Bay, while the northerly trade-winds should be firmly established, to give participants enjoyable coastal sailing in Portugal. Secure overnight stops are arranged in attractive ports where there are opportunities to visit places of interest and to enjoy the company of fellow participants and local sailors at parties and other social functions. World Cruising Club have made special arrangements with Portuguese Customs and Immigration, to ensure that the formalities are kept to an absolute minimum.

The rally has been running for over a decade with the support of Marina de Lagos, the premier marina on the Algarve coast of Portugal.

Dates: 30 May - 22 June, with stopovers at: Plymouth, Bayona, Povoa de Varzim, Figueira da Foz, Peniche, Oeiras, Sines, Lagos

Benefits

• Camaraderie of crossing the Bay of Biscay as part of a rally
• Weather, routing & safety equipment advice
• Automatic tracking and display of yacht positions across Biscay
• Rally Support Team in each port
• Organised itinerary, tours & social activities
• All-inclusive berthing

DIGNITY CRUISING is delighted to offer the opportunity of a mile building, cruising trip from the UK to Portugal on the World Cruising Club’s (www.worldcruising.com) Rally Portugal this year. We are offering individual places on a selection of legs from Southampton to Vilamoura on a luxurious skippered Beneteau 47.3. Novices and experienced sailors are welcome and all tuition will be provided as necessary. Nearest airport for Lagos/Vilamoura is Faro. Please see details on the following WCC link: www.worldcruising.com

This is an excellent sailing opportunity to build miles for qualifications, especially as the first leg is some 550 – 600nm and also for sailors to experience sailing in the Bay of Biscay under the guidance of an experienced skipper. This World Cruising Club Rally is also an excellent ‘feeder’ for the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) that sets off from the Canary Islands in November 2010 bound for St. Lucia by Christmas 2010.

Furthermore, should any clients wish to charter the yacht after the rally finishes, she will be available for Mediterranean cruising during the summer.

Schedule

26 May 2010

Guests may start from Southampton, via Weymouth for the sail to Plymouth, where the yacht will berth for a couple of days, before the start of the Rally.
Distance 120 nm.

LEG 1 30 May – 5/6 June 2010

Race start, Plymouth to Bayona, distance 550 nm. Allow up to one week sailing time with no planned stops; beer + skittles on arrival with the option to stay in Bayona for a day or so.

LEG 2 6/7 June – 21 June 2010 Bayona to Lagos via 50 nm - day port hops southwards along the Portuguese Atlantic coast via Sines, Povoa etc. We are in port overnight for the usual festivities and parties. Sail one week of the event only or both weeks. We will be sailing onto Vilamoura after the Rally Portugal event finishes at Lagos.

Rally Portugal 2010 itinerary

27/29 May	Yachts assemble at Plymouth
30-May	Depart Plymouth for Bayona	Distance 550nm
05-Jun	Visit to Santiago de Compostella
06-Jun	Skippers briefing
07-Jun	Welcome Party and Prize Giving
08-Jun	Bayona to Povoa de Varzim	Distance 50nm
09-Jun	Visit Alto Minho Region and Prize Giving buffet
10-Jun	Visit Porto (by land)
11-Jun	Povoa to Figueira da Foz	Distance 75nm
12-Jun	Visit Coimbra (Historic University and Old City)
13-Jun	Free day, Prize Giving Dinner
14-Jun	Figueira da Foz to Peniche	Distance 55nm
15-Jun	Tour of local area or visit Obidos (Walled City)
16-Jun	Peniche to Oeiras	Distance 50nm
17-Jun	Tour of local area and Prize Giving Dinner
18-Jun	Free day to visit Lisbon
19-Jun	Oeiras to Sines	Distance 50nm
20-Jun	Civic Reception followed by free day
21-Jun	Sines to Lagos	Distance 75nm
22-Jun	Tour of local area, evening party
23-Jun	Final Party and Prize Giving

Prices:

Southampton - Bayona
10 day cruise - £1095 per person

Plymouth – Bayona
7 day cruise - £895 per person

Bayona – Lagos
7 day cruise - £750 per person

14 day cruise - £1250 per person

Price includes: Professional experienced skipper and first mate

All meals, snacks and refreshments whilst at sea Sailing tuition for all levels