Azores 2024

The Jester Azores Challenge 2024

Start off the western end of Plymouth Breakwater, 1200 noon on Sunday 16^th June 2024.
Finish on a line between the north and south moles, Praia da Vitoria Harbour, Terceira, Azores.

Once again we were extremely well looked after before the event by Charles Bush and Mayflower marina, along with Jolly Jack’s, now the regular venue for the skippers’ lunch. A big thank you to both of them.

The fleet got away in good order and could scarcely have had better conditions for getting off soundings and across the Bay of Biscay, with east to north-east and then northerly winds predominating. There were days of strong winds but overall the weather held fair for the Azores, providing fast passages with the first boats arriving after just 12 days.

A big shout out to Peter Collinson and Blue Shadow, who at one point mid-passage backtracked under power to stand by Hugh Davies and Eden Marindim Em, who had reported a skin fitting problem. The problem was fixed and both yachts completed their passage in good order. Eberhard Harms and Lange Orm also arrived in good order, following a stopover at La Coruna for rig repairs.

As a result 15 skippers started and all finished, a 100% success rate that mirrored that of the Jester Azores Challenge 2021.

Praia marina and the town itself always give a warm welcome to the Jester sailors and this year they excelled themselves, laying on a reception hosted by the town’s vice-president Ricky Batista, along with the marina manager Jaime Teófilo and his assistant Jorge Neves. The food was made by the Praia da Vitoria catering college. Ricky Batista expressed the hope that the event would continue and that the relationship between the town and the Jester Challenge would continue to grow and prosper. All the Jesters have the same hope and extend a big thankyou to Ricky and the marina for their continuing support and exceptional hospitality.

Event Tracking

If you can’t see the active map, see this photo.

Starters

Skipper	Yacht	Type	LOA	Finish
David MacDowall	SULA	S&S	30′	30/06/2024 00:47
Eberhard Harms	LANGE ORM	Allegro	27′	08/07/2024 04:48
Graeme Shimwell	PANACEA	Albin Vega	27′	28/06/2024 21:30
Hugh Davies	EDEN MARINDIN EM	Vertue 2	25′	03/07/2024 01:00
Ian Abbott	IBIS	Victoria	30′	29/06/2024 15:12
Jim Rolt	GREEN TAMBOURINE	Contessa	26′	30/06/2024 09:52
John Farmer	DESERT AIR	Twister	28′	01/07/2024 06:49
Mike Atkins	CALYPSO	Arpege	30′	28/06/2024 04:24
Mike Atkins	TRANQUILLITY	Achilles	29′	29/06/2024 12:15
Norman Rubenis	CHARLOTTE	Contessa	32′	01/07/2024 0910
Pete Matthews	MACAVITY	Arpege	30′	29/06/2024 22:45
Peter Collinson	BLUE SHADOW	Sadler	29′	03/07/2024 02:24
Pierre-Yves Cavey	TIKIPPUQ	Jouet	24′	30/06/2024 06:00
Richard North	MOONCRESTA	Moody	29′	02/07/2024 16:20
Ron Olivier	KERRIN II	Westerly Griffon	26′	03/07/2024 08:10