25 sailing boats are soon to arrive to Port Louis Marina from Gran Canaria! The Viking Explorers have become an interesting alternative to cross the Atlantic. It is a “non competitive” Rally, a 2,700-nautical-mile sailing adventure that takes participants from the Canary Islands to Grenada via Cape Verde.
The annual Viking Explorers Rally is a fantastic rally encouraging sailors from around the world to cross the Atlantic as a team.
An international fleet of 25 boats ranging from 34ft to 76ft and 80 crews from The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, United States, Italy, Spain, Canada, Norway, Denmark, Ireland and Latvia, are soon to arrive on the shores of Grenada to their home port, Port Louis Marina.
This week saw the official start of the rally and Oliver Solanas Heinrichs welcomed all sailors and asked every crew to come on stage to present themselves to their fellow sailors. Although they are due to set sail in the New Year, there is opportunity for the participants to get to know each other before the start of the rally.
A very fun and emotive presentation took place while Carlota, PR and Viking Explorers Europe Manager, handed over the Welcome Packs to the crews. Marike Derks from Seven Star Yacht Transport, also welcomed all sailors on behalf of the company.
Zara Tremlett CMM, General Manager at Port Louis Marina comments:
“Our marina is always open to welcome the Viking Explorers! We take great pleasure in engaging with the rally participants to ensure they experience the true authentic charm that Grenada offers. It is always a treat to welcome the same participants back at the end of the season, full of cruising stories and adding testament to returning and their loyalty with Port Louis Marina.”
The event, which was first held in 2018, has quickly become a very popular sailing event, attracting participants from all over the globe. Viking Explorers is an exciting exclusive rally with a maximum of 25 boats. With a reduced fleet the rally focusses in giving the best customer service possible and aims to maximize safety and the camaraderie between the fleet.
The participants will gather again on the 4th of January in Grand Canaria for the important Skippers Briefing, where it will be decided together with the organization if it is safe to leave, weather permitting, on the scheduled 6th of January 2024. The fleet will then set sail towards beautiful Port Louis Marina in Grenada at the West Indies, with an alternative stop in Mindelo, Sao Vicente, at the Cape Verde Islands.
For more information about The Viking Explorers Rally, please visit: https://www.vikingexplorersrally.com