We begin our journey in Horta on Faial, an island in the Azores. Here, in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, breathtaking volcanic landscapes and lush vegetation await us. We'll take a few days to explore the island. With a bit of luck, we might even spot whales here at the start of whale season in the Azores. Temperatures in the Azores will rise steadily at this time of year, welcoming us with pleasant spring-like weather. We'll wait for the perfect moment before embarking on the multi-day, non-stop leg of our journey.
Well over 1,000 nautical miles of open ocean lie ahead as we sail from Horta on Faial, an island in the Azores, across the North Atlantic to Ireland. The total length of this passage measures approximately 1,300 nautical miles in the North Atlantic. The number of days at sea will be significantly influenced by the weather. We will make strategic decisions regarding the route and weather navigation together. In good conditions, we can experience the yacht's potential and achieve considerable speed.
We expect to be at sea non-stop for approximately 7 days for this long leg. The North Atlantic can be challenging depending on the season and wind direction, but it can also offer peaceful stretches. This section of the route will be particularly dependent on the weather.
On multi-day passages, we sail continuously on a watch system, in which each crew member participates equally according to their different skills. This watch system allows us to fairly manage our sleep and distribute responsibilities for cooking and deck work. Several watch leaders are assigned to distribute responsibilities among the watches. This quickly establishes a comfortable routine of watches, navigation, and life on board.
Our destination port is Cork, at the southern tip of Ireland. After several days at sea, we are rewarded with the sight of the world-famous Fastnet Rock and its iconic lighthouse, which is only a day's sail from Cork. After all, we want to feel like we're discovering something, both on the high seas and in our ports of call.
