Africa-Europe Challenge - Three short harbor races to be organized

by Tamas Szekely on 10 Sep 2014 Africa-Europe Challenge 2014 - What is considered a great amusement for sailors? A funny harbor race dotted with colorful skill elements will most probably fall into this category.

As an addition to the Cruising Rallies of AEC (the Europe-Morocco Challenge 2014 and the Europe-Cape Verde Challenge 2014), three short harbor races will also be organized in Cadiz (Spain), Rabat (Morocco) and in Tenerife. These events are not only increasing the level of entertainment and granting a good base for socializing for the participants of the Rally, but also make it possible to get involved in the AEC events for those sailors in marinas and anchorages within a few dozen of miles around who cannot or don’t want to sail long distances with the fleet.

Message in the bottle

As it is made clear in all communications of AEC, the emphasis is not on the competition aspect, but rather on the fun, entertainment and networking. Consequently, the Harbor Races should also not be expected to be a typical yacht race in a carefully laid Olympic Triangle course, but rather a fun game on the sea especially designed for sailors. The aim of the game is to collect as many message bottles as possible within a given time frame, using only sails and being allowed to pick the bottles from the sea only by hand (without the aid of any poles, nets, etc.). So, sail handling and maneuvering skills come to the fore while the speed of the boat gets less importance. In order to increase the excitement factor, there is also a ‘pig in a poke’ element added: the messages in the bottles hide the prizes which will be handed over during the socializing parties organized in the marinas on the Harbor Race day evenings.

Intercontinental messages

Following the Harbor Races, the message bottles will be turned to serve another level of networking. Participants who are not planning to make passages with the AEC fleet can write their own messages, questions, suggestions to people (sailors, diplomats, politicians, school teachers, students, and marine biologists) on the other side of the sea. The bottles with these messages will then be carried on by the Cruisers of the fleet and handed over to the addressees at the next port of call.

All sailors in and around Cadiz, Rabat and Tenerife, regardless of the type and size of his-her boat are warmly welcome to join AEC at the Harbor Race days for free of charge.

For further information please contact Tamas Szekely Event website