The long stopover in Lanzarote came to an enjoyable finale with all participants were invited to a farewell laid on by the sponsors Calero Marinas. As a memento of their stay, each crew was presented with a basket with a selection of locally produced sea salts.
The crew of Maskali receiving their present
Siegfried and Gudrun from Asante
Gaelle and Jean-Marie and their daughters Coline (9) and Erell (5) from Balanec
The farewell party
As a native Belgian Luc was the obvious choice to draw the beer from the keg supplied by thhe sponsors.
Trevor Chatelier from Witte Kreeft entertaining the younger generation
And the adults too…
Trevor in his element!
…with his mascot…
Sharing secrets …
At noon on Wednesday in a light NE breeze the yachts took the start on the first leg of the Canaries Odyssey, bound for Las Palmas on the island of Gran Canaria. The French monohull Balanec stole the show from the two catamarans, the Australian La Mischief and French Jiyu by being the first across the line. Several boats hoisted their colourful spinnakers that showed up spectacularly against the stark panorama of the volcanic island.
The Rising Tide, sculpture by Jason deCaires Taylor outside the art museum at Castillo de San José, Arrecife
One third of the fleet are multi-hulls, here La Mischief, Jiyu and Maryna II cross the start line
Asante and Sameera on the start line with Lanzarote’s volcanic landscape behind
Mel and Pilar from Calero Marinas, along with all the Marina Lanzarote staff, are outstanding in the welcome and help they give to all sailors visiting Lanzarote
A final farewell wave from 11 year old Anneka on Laridae, with her family embarking on a once in a lifetime adventure with the rally
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