The Ondeck Atlantic Challenge
Caribbean - Azores - Portsmouth, UK
Why not take part in Ondeck's 2009 Atlantic Challenge?
The 2008 event is now over, if you would like to take part in the 2009 event please contact us or register your interest via email to ko@ondeck.co.uk
The following is an overview of the event - full details of 2009 dates and prices will be available soon - please check back or register your interest and we will keep you informed.
If you would like to read the blogs and view the pictures from the 2008 event please click here
This 3,500nm voyage will challenge crew, sailing from the Caribbean to the UK, with a well deserved stopover in The Azores!
A start and finish to both legs, allows those with constrictive time commitments to take part in this Atlantic crossing. With such beautiful locations and history, this is a unique trip not to be surpassed!
As well as all four Farr 65 ocean racing yachts being matched, the crew will be of mixed ability with each getting the same professional forecasting, weather routing and advice.
The matched fleet encourages a friendly competitive element to the race – it will be up to the crew, with the support of our professional staff onboard to set the pace, build a strong team and above all, arrive safely with the feeling of immense personal achievement!
Many people dream of sailing across The Atlantic, but there are only a few that experience that feeling and live out the adventure – don’t let yours be a dream anymore!
This is where Ondeck make things possible.
| The Yachts and Skippers |
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Designed by Bruce Farr, the Farr 65s are based on a de-tuned Whitbread 60 for the “Millennium Round the World Yacht Race” with amateur crews in mind.
Not only are they safe and straight forward to sail, but they are fast and competitive with notable sailing achievements in addition to circumnavigating the globe once and crossing the Atlantic many times since they were built. |
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Onboard each yacht will be Ondeck’s professional Skippers, Mates and 2nd Mates. All Skippers are qualified to a minimum of Ocean Yachtmaster Commercially Endorsed with a Ships Captain Medical Certificate, with vast experience of ocean sailing. All have extensive sea mileage, have taught for ONDECK and have sailed the Farrs extensively. All mates are qualified to a minimum of Yachtmaster
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| Sponsors and Support |
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The Ondeck Atlantic Challenge is sponsored by “Peters Café Sport”, in Horta on the Island of Faial in The Azores.
Probably the most famous bar in the North Atlantic, as well as being a local currency exchange, Post Office and tourist information, they are an institution to seafarers from all over the world.
This trip will be in memory of Jose Azevedo (Peter). |
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We also have support from The Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth – with connections with Horatio Nelson from the start in Antigua, our stop in The Azores and through to the finish at Portsmouth (the finish of many great adventurers!). There will be a welcome party at the Dockyard and a tour around HMS Victory – a very appropriate ending to your voyage! |
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| Leg 1 - Caribbean to Horta (The Azores) - 2,165nm |
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Crew Arrive: TBD
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It is said of this first Leg that there are only two good days on the voyage.
The day you leave ...
... and the day you arrive in the Azorean archipelago. |
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Tactics play a big part on this ocean voyage and the successful execution of them will contribute to whether the voyage will be a fast or slow one.
This challenging passage, once completed, will reward you by affording you the opportunity to explore a wonderful group of volcanic islands, known as The Azores, and leave you feeling a real sense of achievement.
Horta, our arrival port, is on the island of Faial and is well known by the sea-faring community around the world. A visit to our sponsors, the famous Peter’s Café Sport Bar is a must during the layover, here you can enjoy a refreshing gin and tonic (two doubles for £1) and of course buy the obligatory t-shirt! |
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| Leg 2 - Horta (The Azores) - Portsmouth, UK - 1,200nm |
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Crew Arrive: TBD
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Why Horta?
The Azores is a mid-Atlantic cross road and so provides the perfect chance for a break! Like Antigua, Horta is very easy to fly to with very kind and friendly people, good food and cheap beer to welcome you! |
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This 1,200nm ocean Leg takes us well up into the Northern latitudes where we will hopefully reach the top of the famous Azores High before sailing down the conveyor belt of low pressure systems that produce the favorable Westerly winds for a fast, exhilarating sail back to Portsmouth.
This Leg is ideal for people wanting to do their Ocean Yachtmaster qualifying passage. |
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The Cost |
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2009 Ondeck Atlantic Challenge £TBD
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The cost includes:Professional experienced ocean Skipper, Mate and 2nd Mate onboard All meals, snacks and refreshments whilst at sea Shore side representative and professional weather routing Sailing tuition for all levels Accommodation onboard Wet weather gear and lifejackets Host events and parties at each stop over Fuel and mooring fees 10% discount on additional sailing events with Ondeck Sailing over Summer 2009 Any transport costs required in order to get ashore e.g. water taxi The cost excludes:Flights and airport transfers Meals whilst in port
Payment Terms:25% Deposit is due upon booking. The remainder must be paid 4 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE EVENT.
TO DOWNLOAD A FULL INFORMATION PACK - CLICK HERE
For further information or to make a booking please contact:
Katy O'Connor - UK - Tel: +44 (0) 1983 612 642 / e-mail:ko@ondeck.co.uk Elizabeth Brookes - Antigua - Tel: +1 (268) 562-6696 / e-mail: eb@ondeckoceanracing.com John Holmberg - USVI - Tel: +1 (340) 777-4944 / e-mail: jh@ondeckoceanracing.com |
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ONDECK ARE THE FIRST AND ONLY COMPANY IN THE UK TO OFFER ALL THREE ELEMENTS AS A COMPLETE ONE OFF PACKAGE |
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A great opportunity will be available on this voyage for people wishing to do their Ocean Yachtmaster course.
The theory, practical and oral exams can be done with Ondeck.
Stokey Woodall, a well known and respected teacher in ocean sailing circles, will be in the Azores running a 5-day shore based Ocean theory course and a one day preparation lecture for the practical elements required to be executed at sea and submitted for scrutiny by the RYA.
Upon arrival in Portsmouth, we will have an RYA Ocean Examiner waiting onboard HMS Victory to check the celestial observations taken onboard and then conduct the oral exam - the final part needed to complete Ocean Yachtmaster. |
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Should you wish, you are welcome to just take part in the theory, or the practical, passage and oral exam should you have your theory already – you will not be omitted because you have made a head start!
Ondeck offers the entire RYA Sail Cruising Syllabus and will be happy to provide you with any information, course dates and prices on any courses, including Yachtmaster (a pre-requisite of Yachtmaster Ocean), which run on a regular basis throughout the year. Click Here to visit the Ondeck Sailing and Powerboat School website for full details
There are a maximum of 3 berths onboard each of the 4 yachts available for Yachtmaster Ocean
Course FeesOcean Theory course: 5-days can be taken in The Azores, onboard Pride of Bilbao or shorebased in the UK - £TBD
The Azores to Portsmouth Ocean Passage & Training: includes one-day preparation in The Azores - £TBD
The Azores to Portsmouth Ocean Passage & Training: includes one-day preparation in The Azores - £TBD
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