After days of preparations and partying the 22nd Atlantic Rally for Cruisers started in a Carnival like atmosphere. Some of the boat crews were in fancy dress. Crowds on the dock cheered loudly and local brass bands paraded and added their music to the festivites. A total of 235 yachts sailed from Las Palmas. The rally across the Atlantic ends in St. Lucia, about 2,700 nautical miles away.

The weather was fine at the start despite a small shower. A swell is running and 20 knot trade winds from the North are set to continue. The 22 yachts in the RORC IRC Racing took off 20 minutes ahead of the Cruising Fleet.

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