This 3,890 NM voyage combines two “rally” legs of the World ARC and is the longest in both time spent onboard and distance sailed. In this context, ”rally” refers to a sailing race—but in a relaxed and friendly manner.

Crew arrive aboard Celeste of Solent on January 5th and once everyone is on board, there will be a crew meeting to plan for the weeks ahead. You will have a few days before the start to help prepare the boat, stock up on provisions, and get to know your fellow crew—as well as Celeste.

Exploring Cape Town
Before the race starts, we will have time to explore what Cape Town has to offer. The city’s history dates back to 1652 (and even earlier), when it became a vital supply station for ships sailing to India and the Far East. A visit to Table Mountain National Park is a must, and other highlights include Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of his 27 years behind bars. In recent years, Cape Town has been named one of the best places to visit by both The New York Times and The Daily Telegraph—and for good reason.

Leg 1 : Cape Town to Walvis Bay, Nambia
Our goal? To be the first boat to arrive in Walvis Bay and claim “Line Honours.”

Even though it’s a race, there will be plenty of time to relax, enjoy the southern Atlantic summer, and maybe even catch a fish or two for dinner. On January 9th, we depart early and head to the starting area. We will arrive well in advance to plan our strategy, hoist the sails, and ensure that everyone is confident in their positions. As soon as we set off, we will begin our watch rotations. Each crew member will take part in a watch team, responsible for navigation, steering, lookout, and sail trimming. After a three-hour shift, you will have six hours off for rest and sleep, help with boat duties and maybe prepare the next meal for the crew. The skipper and first mate are always on standby to support the watch teams. Upon arrival in Walvis Bay, we will have time to experience the warm hospitality of Namibia and hopefully do some sightseeing before preparing for the next major leg.

Leg 2 : Crossing the Atlantic – Part One: Namibia – St Helena
The second leg of this journey is the Atlantic crossing—a lifelong dream for many sailors. Why not seize the opportunity to sail across the southern Atlantic and, as a bonus, enjoy a stopover at the remote island of St Helena? We will prepare the boat for the offshore passage to St Helena and beyond. On January 19th, we set sail in the morning and begin our journey westward. We will once again start our watch rotations. We will primarily sail downwind, using the south-easterly winds, while positioning ourselves to take advantage of the westerly currents. With favourable conditions, we hope to fly both the gennaker with a sail area of 320 m² and the spinnaker totalling 350 m². Crossing the southern Atlantic will be an unforgettable experience. At night, the sky will be illuminated with countless stars, and we will cruise at speeds of 10–12 knots.

Arrival at St Helena
As we approach St Helena, a fascinating island, located in the heart of the southern Atlantic, Celeste—being a performance yacht—will be among the first boats to arrive. Our aim, of course, is to be the very first. Celeste will anchor off Jamestown and have 4–5 days to explore this historic volcanic island. St Helena was discovered by Portuguese explorer João da Nova in 1502, but it became a British territory in 1659. The island is best known as the place where Napoleon spent his final years in exile between 1815 and 1821. St Helena receives supplies only once a month by ship and has just one weekly flight from Cape Town, making it one of the most isolated places in the world.

Leg 2 : Crossing the Atlantic – Part Two: St Helena to Brazil
On January 29th, we set sail again, heading for Brazil. We will continue to ride the south-easterly winds, aiming for a fast downwind passage. This leg is longer, and after 13–14 days at sea, we expect to catch our first glimpse of the Brazilian coastline. We will cross the finish line and, as per the current itinerary, dock at Recife Marina. Arriving among the first boats, we will have ample time to explore the local surroundings and soak in the vibrant culture of Brazil.