Official launch of the Atlantic Odyssey

Jimmy Cornell – Jose Calero, Puerto Calero Marinas – Luis Ibarra, President of Las Palmas Port Authority – Manuel Fajardo, Mayor of Arrecife – Pedro San Gines, Cabildo de Lanzarote – Claudio Doreste, Real Club Náutico de Arrecife

This new transatlantic rally was launched on Thursday 2 May at a function held at the Arrecife Yacht Club on the Canarian island of Lanzarote in the presence of government and local officials, sponsors as well as media representatives of TV channels, regional and national newspapers.

Jimmy Cornell and Jose Calero, owner of Puerto Calero

The Atlantic Odyssey is generating great interest and excitement among the local population and is in line with an ambitious plan to develop the island’s infrastructure and make Lanzarote the premier yachting centre in the Canary Islands.

As part of this long term plan, there is already on the island a training centre for the crews of the Volvo Ocean Race, and the world championship of the RC44 Class will be held in Lanzarote in late November. Further plans include a charter operation, sailing school and diving centre.

The Atlantic Odyssey is sponsored by Puerto Calero Marinas, a family company led by Jose Calero, owner of Puerto Calero, the most attractive marina in the Canaries. Puerto Calero Marinas are in the process of expanding their operations throughout the archipelago.

Inspecting the new marina, from left to right: Juan Francisco Martin, Director of Port Authority – Jimmy Cornell – Luis Ibarra, President of the Port Authority – Jose Calero, marina developer

For start on 17 November 2013, the Atlantic Odyssey fleet will be hosted in their brand new venue, Marina Lanzarote, based in the island’s capital, Arrecife.

Set to be the best endowed yachting facility in the Canaries, the marina will include a complete repair and service facility. A later edition of the Atlantic Odyssey, scheduled for 12 January 2014, will start from Marina La Palma close to the attractive capital Santa Cruz de la Palma, on the island of that name.

Jose Calero receives the Millennium flame on arrival of Millennium Odyssey in Puerto Calero

In his inaugural address, Jimmy Cornell, the organiser of the Atlantic Odyssey, highlighted his long association with the island of Lanzarote that goes back to 1987 and the first Canary Islands Rally, which started in Puerto Calero and called at all islands of the archipelago, first sailing event to encompass all Canary Islands. The successful event was repeated in the following years and a future edition is planned to coincide with the Atlantic Odyssey.

Among the other events organised by Jimmy Cornell and hosted by Lanzarote were America 500 in 1992, a transatlantic event celebrating the quincentenary of voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1492, and the Millennium Odyssey, a round the world event marking the dawn of the new millennium.

Jimmy Cornell’s latest round the world event, the Blue Planet Odyssey will be hosted by Lanzarote in 2014.

Start of the Canary Islands Rally in Puerto Calero – 1987		The Millenium Odyssey fleet in Puerto Calero

Local press coverage of the launch (in Spanish)