On this sailing trip, we will cross the Atlantic from west to east, from Guadeloupe in the Caribbean to Horta in the Azores. For many sailors, this crossing is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that demands a great deal from both crew and yacht, and precisely for that reason, it gives back so much.

As with all our sailing trips, we start with a training day, including a man-overboard drill, to ensure the crew works together safely from the very first day at sea. During the passage, watches are rotated day and night, and the crew takes turns at the helm and sails. With each passing day, the crew bonds and masters the crossing together. The camaraderie on board becomes a defining part of this experience.

Unlike the trade wind route westward, low-pressure systems are the primary weather force on the way to the Azores. We expect more frequent and intense lows, whose tracks can extend even further south at this time of year. This makes weather navigation on this passage particularly exciting. Together, we will monitor the development of the lows and choose our course to avoid strong winds and high seas as much as possible. With every nautical mile northward, the climate changes, from tropical warmth to the cooler air around the Azores. We have factored in a longer distance for the detours around the lows and have planned additional days as a buffer. Including the training day, as well as the check-in and check-out days, this amounts to 27 days, providing ample time to react responsibly to the weather rather than sailing against the clock.

If we arrive earlier than expected, we'll have time to visit Horta, the legendary sailing port on Faial. Its walls are covered in colorful murals painted by crews who crossed the Atlantic before us. With our arrival, we'll join their ranks. Faial also boasts volcanic landscapes and lush nature, which we'll explore on land.