After a 2 weeks Christmas break the fleet is almost ready to depart, which will be discussed at the skippers briefing 2 days before the estimated departure. And we say “ estimated” as it is the captains decisions, one of the highlights of Viking Explorers and prudent seamanship.
The 6th edition of the Viking Explorers Rally started on Sunday the 11th of December in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, on the Canary Islands, with seminars, lectures, tours and parties.
Its been many months of preparations, online webinars and a direct contact line through WhatsApp between captains and the organization long before arriving to the Canary Islands.
The 25 boats and its crews presented themselves on stage followed by the important safety seminar attended by all.
The following days participants attended different seminars like Weather, Communications, Provisioning and Tricks and Tips for the Caribbean.
The fully booked rally with 25 boats and 90 crews from all around the world are getting ready these days, before the great jump across the Atlantic on the 6th of January. Some weeks later and after a stop at the Cape Verde, the fleet will arrive at Port Louis Marina in Grenada, an island also known as “the Spice of the Caribbean”
After 10 days of activities and getting the boats ready, many crews flew back home for Christmas , before meeting all again on the 4th of January for the Skippers briefing, where it will be decided if it is safe to leave, due to the weather.
In previous years the fleet departed a few days later as the weather was not “ as expected”, a decision taken by captains together with the organization.
With 17 monohulls and 8 multihulls, the smallest monohull is a Sigma 362 of 10,95 meters and the biggest monohull an Amel 54 of 17,50 meters. The smallest multihull is a Lagoon 380 of 11,50 meters and the biggest multihull is an Outremer 51 of 15,27m. The international fleet from Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, México, Canada, USA, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Netherlands, Hungary, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and UK are part of this exclusive small fleet limited to a maximum of 25 boats. Captains have direct contact with the organization since the moment they sign up for the rally.
The rally focuses on giving the best personal customer service, increases safety and camaraderie. There are two options also: The direct route from Gran Canaria to Grenada or with an alternative stop in Mindelo (Cape Verde) which is recommended by the organization.
The core organizers are local from the Canary Islands, have crossed the Atlantic several times and have spent the last 5 seasons in the Caribbean. They have been living on their vessel for almost 10 years.
The Viking Explorers 2023 is supported by the Grenada Tourism Authority, Camper& Nicholson Port Louis Marina, and Clarke’s Court Rum from the Grenada Distillery among many other companies that also sponsor and support the event.
Grenada is such a perfect place to arrive after an Atlantic Crossing as the participants have all the services they might need. Once in Grenada, participants will enjoy a full week of activities before the Official Welcome Ceremony and fun price giving at the tropical True Blue Bay Resort and Marina on the 6th of February 2023.