Barbados 50 boats in Mindelo
After more than three weeks in the Cape Verde Islands, the 33 boats in the Barbados 50 Odyssey have left on the longest leg of their epic voyage that will be finishing in Barbados.
For some of them, the Barbados 50 Odyssey had a symbolic start in London on 31 July. Several more boats joined them as they were making their way to the Canary Islands.
During their five-week Canarian sojourn, the participants visited all Canary Islands.
Cape Verde cruise map
While in the Cape Verdes, the participants took part in a cruise to some of the most attractive islands of the archipelago.
Barbados 50 hosts Lutz Meyer-Scheel, owner of Mindelo Marina, and Jackie Gomes, general manager
The last two boats to join the fleet in Mindelo were Nelia and Escape.
Safety inspection on Escape, the last boat to join Barbados 50 fleet
SOS Children Mindelo Centre
Participants in Barbados 50 donated to the SOS Children’s centres in the islands of Fogo and São Vicente 100 packs of essential items. While in Mindelo, a group of sailors visited a complex set up for homeless children.
Visit to SOS Children’s home in Mindelo
Nuno Monteiro, director of the SOS Children’s Centre, describing one of their skills training projects
Barbados 50 children mixing happily with local children
The last days in Mindelo before the start of the leg to Barbados was busy with preparations, maintenance work, provisioning but time was also found for friendly competitions in various fields from original recipes of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, to a fishing competition as well as a photographic contest for children and adults.
François of Dolojaime serving his special cocktail concoction
Judges testing the various cocktails
Luc Callebaut announces the winners in the various competitions
Gabriel of Sameera winner in junior class
Maya of Kirikou – winner with this shot of the Brava anchorage
Luc with the winners in the junior photo class
Angela of Laridae winner in adult class
La Mischief – photo competition
Stéphane Grimault of Sir Henri 4, winner of the fishing competition
Luc Callebaut is presented with a special gift from all participants for his outstanding contribution to the success of the Cape Verde cruise
The various odysseys organized by Cornell Sailing Events have earned a reputation for the pervading sense of friendship and camaraderie among participants. Among them are many families with children, that led the French magazine Voiles & Voiliers to describe these transatlantic events as “La Transat des Enfants”.
Jimmy Cornell, the organiser of Barbados 50, has been adopted as a virtual grandfather by Sarah of Sir Henri 4 and Mia of Jiyu
An atmosphere of excitement and anticipation became palpable between participants as the day of the start got closer.
Last minute preparations, last minute chat
Last lunch ashore for crew of Kirikou
A quick goodbye
Sad parting for the two good friends
Lia putting Nelia’s trampolin to its proper use
Nelia heading for the start line
The Barbados 50 fleet is making fast progress towards Barbados where the first boats are expected to arrive on Saturday 19 November. Their progress can be followed on the event’s tracking map:
cornellsailing.com/sail-the-odyssey/barbados-50/tracking-map/
Barbados 50 is sponsored by Barbados Tourism Marketing and Tenerife Port Authority.
