Covering the 650 miles between Olhão (Algarve/Portugal) and Las Palmas in 97 hours, using different sailing modes from one a half day using the engine to a new kind of intense sailing – at least in our Portuguese south sunshine and flat seas perspective – surfing 4/5 meters waves during the night, with more than 30 knots of wind and some rain, the CONQUILHA III is now safely in Las Palmas Marina, with a very happy crew and the ARC 2103 flag hoisted. For us the Atlantic circle has already started, aiming to be back to Portugal – Azores in May 2014. In this shakedown sail we had a big worry when during a night maneuver under 25 knots of wind and those strange waves, the mainsail unintentionally jibed twice with one crew at the base of the mast. It was not funny and a great moment to remember the value of some basic security rules. Also we had several minor gear failures, from lazy-bag blocks to the portside mast eyestrap of the mainsail reefs, simple objects with big importance. And we lose a “dourado / mahi mahi” already in the aft platform…
