Despite heavy rain, strong winds and scudding low cloud, 12 yachts from the 19 Biscay Triangle Rally fleet braved the elements and crossed the start line at Torquay for the start of the 2009 Biscay Triangle Rally. Those remaining in port were there for good reasons, having only just arrived in Torquay from home ports against Force 7 SouthWesterlies the night before.

Saltwhistle III did not manage to get to Torquay but has kept in touch and intends catching up very shortly. Of those remaining in port, several have minor technical problems such as `Sea Fox' that has a radio problem which will hopefully be fixed over the next day or so.

The very troublesome weather has forced a difficult decision and skippers unanimously agreed at a meeting yesterday not to confront the predicted strong South Westerlies across Biscay to La Coruna, but rather to make for Plymouth and await better weather. The rally then intends to cross to Benodet in South Brittany, a passage of 210 nm, towards the end of the week. Those yachts then wishing to proceed to La Coruna would then launch off from there once a more reliable weather situation presented itself - no doubt after a party and a couple of dinners in Benodet!

On Monday night over 70 participants enjoyed an excellent `departure dinner' in the Royal Torbay Yacht Club and judging by the enthusiasm and noise levels plenty of new friendships were forged. The Guest of Honour was the Chairman of the Torbay Council - Martyn Hodge - who also braved the elements on the start line on Tuesday morning (21st July) to bid `Bon Voyage' to the crews.

As this report is being posted to the website the first arrivals are now safely berthed in the Queen Anne Battery marina in Plymouth where Richard Bolt has joined everyone to oversee things and ensure that the next phase gets smoothly underway as soon as weather permits. Meanwhile Tony Diment is frantically changing travel plans to set everything up in Benodet for the rally's arrival there next weekend.

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