Twenty boats set sail from Marina Jandía for the Atlantic in the eighth Rallye des Îles du Soleil

Marina Jandía marina in Morro Jable hosted the start of the eighth Rallye des Îles du Soleil on Friday, 30 October. The transatlantic voyage involves 20 boats, which will cover more than 3,000 nautical miles before reaching the Caribbean.

The fleet departed from the south of Fuerteventura at 10.00, heading for Mindelo, on the island of São Vicente in the Cape Verde archipelago. The town will be the first stop on an expedition whose final destination is Marie-Galante, in Guadeloupe.

Anaïs Lheureux, executive director of Grand Pavois Organisation (GPO), the rally’s organiser, was present for the start and met the crews before they set sail.

The event concludes a week of preparations at Marina Jandía, which is managed by Calero Marinas. During that time, participants carried out final technical and safety checks, as well as getting to know Morro Jable and other attractions on Fuerteventura.

More than 3,000 nautical miles to the Caribbean

The Rallye des Îles du Soleil is a transatlantic flotilla voyage open to monohull and multihull sailing boats. It combines ocean sailing, safety and camaraderie among crews.

Rather than a speed competition, the rally is designed as an organised sailing experience that enables participants to cross the Atlantic with the support of a professional team.

Participants receive satellite tracking of the fleet, daily weather information, safety checks and assistance throughout the various stages.

The route for this eighth edition is divided into two main legs.

The first, which began in Fuerteventura on Friday, covers approximately 900 nautical miles to Mindelo, in Cape Verde.

After a period of rest and preparation in the African archipelago, the boats are due to resume sailing on 11 November for the second leg: around 2,130 nautical miles to Marie-Galante, in Guadeloupe.

The fleet is expected to reach the Caribbean in late November.

Marina Jandía hosts the start for a second year

Marina Jandía’s selection as the starting point for the Rallye des Îles du Soleil for the second consecutive year strengthens Morro Jable’s presence on the international ocean-sailing circuit.

Calero Marinas says hosting events of this kind is important for showcasing port facilities in the south of Fuerteventura and attracting boats and crews from different countries.

The marina operator considers that international nautical activity can help diversify Jandía’s tourism offer, generate economic activity and consolidate Fuerteventura’s position as a strategic stop on Atlantic routes.

The island’s geographical location and sailing conditions are, according to the organisation, favourable factors for developing this tourism sector.

Raising Fuerteventura’s profile as an international sailing destination

The partnership between Calero Marinas and Grand Pavois Organisation forms part of a strategy to promote Marina Jandía as a facility for welcoming international sailors and hosting offshore sailing events.

The presence of the 20 boats and their crews in the days before departure made Morro Jable a meeting point for participants and professionals involved in ocean sailing.

Calero Marinas values the French organisation’s confidence and believes that the Rallye des Îles du Soleil’s continued presence in Fuerteventura could raise the profile of the marina and the destination as a whole.

With the fleet now bound for Cape Verde, Marina Jandía has hosted another edition of the international event, while the crews embark on the first of two legs that will take them from Fuerteventura’s shores to the Caribbean.