Rally Portugal - Biscay bound from Mayflower Marina, Plymouth

by Andy Sinclair on 27 May 2010 The sailing season gets under way this Saturday (29 May) when Plymouth’s Mayflower Marina hosts a party for crews taking part in the 2010 World Cruising Club Rally Portugal.

21 boats will set off from the Marina the following day at 10:00, heading for Lagos Marina in Portugal.

Charles Bush, Managing Director of Mayflower Marina, said: “Rally Portugal has started at Mayflower Marina for the past 15 years and for me at least, it seems to herald the start of the sailing season. The build up to the Rally is great fun and the event adds activity and excitement to the marina as competitors ready their boats for the start of a big adventure.”

This annual passage visits a total of eight ports and is organised by UK rally specialists World Cruising Club as a fun event for cruising sailors on their way from the UK to the Mediterranean.

It’s also an ideal opportunity for sailors who have always wanted to cross the infamous Bay of Biscay, but have felt unsure about tackling it on their own.

Crossing in June usually provides stable weather conditions, while the northerly trade-winds should be firmly established, to give participants enjoyable coastal cruising in Portugal.

Managing Director of World Cruising Club and the founder of Rally Portugal, Andrew Bishop, says: 'I never dreamt when first sailing the coast of Portugal in 1989 that my experience would lead to the creation of an event that has in its 16 year history introduced so many international yachtsmen to the joys of cruising in Portugal. The generous hospitality of the Portuguese overwhelmed me then and continues to do so now.”

For more information, please go to: www.worldcruising.com/rallyportugal