Iles du Soleil Voyage Sets Sail from Fuerteventura for the First Time
The 7th edition of the Rallye des Îles du Soleil—a 900‑nautical‑mile race to the port of Mindelo in Cape Verde—set off from Fuerteventura for the first time on Friday morning.
At 9:00 a.m., the 17 participating vessels left the slips of Marina Jandía (Calero Marinas), marking a historic milestone for the event. During a week‑long preparation period in Morro Jable, the fleet stocked up on provisions, inspected their boats and fine‑tuned every detail for the Atlantic crossing.
“We wish all the sailors good winds for their Atlantic adventure,” said Alain Pochon, president of Grand Pavois Organisation (GPO), as he saw the crews off for the journey to Mindelo (Cape Verde), 900 nautical miles away.
The official departure, scheduled for 11:00 local time, took place in front of Marina Jandía under easterly breezes of 8 knots that are expected to shift to the northeast, creating the classic trade‑wind pattern. The coming days will test the crews’ skill as they seek to exploit every gust in a light, strategic start.
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Organizers and Local Support
The rally is organized by Grand Pavois Organisation, an international leader in nautical tourism. The event maintains a close partnership with Calero Marinas, the launch point for previous editions from Marina Lanzarote and Marina La Palma. This collaboration reinforces the Canary Islands’ role as a key hub for French nautical tourism, a highly qualified and sought‑after segment for the archipelago.
The Club Náutico Península de Jandía also played an active role, providing its facilities for the pre‑race preparations. The camaraderie among crews and the pristine setting of Marina Jandía offered an ideal backdrop for this exciting Atlantic departure.
About Grand Pavois Organisation
Founded in 1973, Grand Pavois Organisation (GPO) is a French entity renowned worldwide for organizing major sailing events, including the Grand Pavois La Rochelle Boat Show, one of Europe’s most important. With over five decades of experience, GPO promotes responsible sailing, maritime culture, and international nautical tourism.
The Rallye des Îles du Soleil embodies this vision, linking sailors from Europe, Africa and the Caribbean in a voyage that celebrates the sea, adventure, and cooperation.