Lagos, ARC Portugal 2022's final destination
by World Cruising Club 8 Jul 2022 18:10 PDT
ARC Portugal © World Cruising Club
The fleet arrived in glorious sunshine, synonymous with the popular holiday destination of Lagos on the southern coast of Portugal, also home to Marina de Lagos, our event sponsor and final destination of the rally for the last 27 years.
As in Baiona after the Biscay crossing, Sea Crusader were the first to arrive on the waiting pontoon to be be greeted by MD of World Cruising, Andrew Bishop, the marina's manager Ingrid Fortunado and the ARC Portugal Yellow Shirt team.
After a slow passage south from Sines, rounding Cape St Vincent brought with it an excellent breeze and they enjoyed an exhilarating sail east towards Lagos.
With the brand new events pontoon awaiting the fleet, the lifting bridge allowing access into the marina was soon in operation as the other 18 boats arrive and then moved on through to their last stop on this year's rally.
With the next day to unwind and explore the town, crews were back together again in the evening, this time in the Sunset Restaurant overlooking the marina, for the final Rally Dinner and Prize Giving.
Introduced by Andrew Bishop, Ingrid welcomed the fleet to Lagos and the marina and wished them a pleasant time here in Lagos should their stay be just days, weeks or even a few years.
As is tradition on ARC Portugal, everyone is a winner on the last night and gifts were presented to each boat being preceded by a few amusing anecdotes derived from the events of the last three-and-a-half weeks.
To finish Paul Wade from Blonde Moment, thanked the Yellow Shirt team for all their hard work to make this event so special for all the participants.
ARC Portugal will return in 2023.