This sailing trip across the open Atlantic takes us from Southampton to the Azores. On the westward passage, we can expect around 1,600 nautical miles of challenging offshore sailing upwind and a non-stop leg that will test both crew and yacht. The challenge is rewarded with a truly special landfall when, after the long leg, the volcanic islands of the Azores appear before us.
Our training day begins in the Solent. We'll review the most important maneuvers, practice man-overboard drills, and familiarize ourselves with the SY Imagine. The very next day, we can cross the English Channel. After that, we'll choose the port from which we can depart for the long leg, weather permitting. Depending on the wind direction, this could be Brest on the French coast or Falmouth on the English side. From there, we'll be strategically positioned to take advantage of the wind and can even wait out strong winds until the right weather window opens.
We deliberately chose this time of year early, when the severe winter storms on the Atlantic and the associated high seas subside. Strong low-pressure systems with high winds are still possible, however, and westerly winds often require long tacking maneuvers. The further south we sail, the more the Azores High influences our weather. Weather navigation thus becomes central to this sailing trip. Together, we analyze the forecasts, track the paths of the low-pressure systems, and determine the best course for westward progress. Sometimes this is the direct route, sometimes a deliberate detour. Based on our experience on the Atlantic, we've allocated more reserve days to this sailing trip than usual. These give us the freedom to wait out a particularly strong low-pressure system in port or to choose the longer and safer route. Safety always takes precedence over the fastest route.
We spend several days at a time at sea, adjusting our route to the wind and weather with every new forecast. Working in a watch system, we rotate around the clock, and every crew member is fully involved, whether at the helm, trimming the sails, or navigating. Sailing upwind across the Atlantic demands endurance. The yacht heels, every wave needs to be steered, and life on board takes place at an angle. This is precisely what makes this passage so appealing. As a performance yacht with a carbon rig, the SY Imagine performs well upwind and remains safe in rough seas.
Weather and time permitting, we can make a stop on one of the Azores islands along the way, as we'll be sailing past almost all of the islands in the group on our way to Faial. In Horta, we'll reach a legendary sailing harbor. Countless crews have left their mark on its walls with colorful pictures after crossing the Atlantic. After mooring, we'll head to Peter Café Sport for tuna steaks and a gin and tonic, which tastes better here after days at sea than anywhere else.
