After a blustery first leg the fleet gathered in Cowes before re-starting for Portugal
Cowes, Wednesday 16 September 1998
After the symbolic start in London, the yachts taking part in the Greenwich Rally arrived safely in Cowes, base of the World Cruising Club. For many the sail towards the south coast of England and onto Cowes was not pleasant, with strong south westerly winds for the final part of the journey from Beachy Head along the south coast to the Solent.
First to arrive on Sunday afternoon was Lou and Jackie Morgan’s Swan 57, Risque. The remainder of the fleet arrived throughout the evening and by Monday morning, all yachts apart from the double handed German yacht, Malseh’n, who had stopped in Brighton, had arrived and were docked in Cowes Yacht Haven.
To make up for the uncomfortable sail on the first leg of their epic 20 month circumnavigation, a Mount Gay Rum cocktail and dinner was held at the Island Sailing Club on the first evening. The following day a lunchtime reception was hosted by Chairman of the Island Council, Mr John Bowker at the Sir Max Aitken Museum in Cowes. This wonderful museum located in an old sail loft, provided a suitable setting for such a reception as it is filled with marine paintings, models of Uffa Fox designs and an original mast from the old Royal yacht Britannia.
President of World Cruising, Jimmy Cornell, presented Mr Bowker with a Millennium Odyssey presentation plaque and he welcomed participants to the Island, expressing a wish they would return at a later date for a longer stay in order to enjoy its beauty.
This morning, Wednesday 16th September, in strong west south westerly winds, the fleet departed from Cowes Yacht Haven and headed for the start line off Egypt Point, set for a course of 750nm to Leixoes, near Porto, Portugal where they will be docked at Marina Port Atlantico situated in the old fishing harbour.The Weather forecast looks promising for a good trip across the Bay of Biscay.
Sailing with organiser, Jimmy Cornell aboard his Ovni 43, Aventura III, is Luis Miguel Moreira, President of Porto Yacht Club, the hosting club while the fleet are in Portugal.