Tony Diment arrived in Puerto Ayora in the Galapagos islands yesterday just as the first yachts were arriving from Panama. Within the next 24 hours 14 yachts have arrived and are now safely at anchor. Some yachts completed the 900 miles in under 5 days with 200 mile days. Generally the winds have been 15 to 20 knots and most yachts have had exhilarating passages. This is so different from our last rally when most yachts had dismal conditions with squally headwinds.

The yachts now safely in harbour are Aqualuna, Bionic, Blue Magic, Jackamy, Miss Tippy, Moonshiner, Natibou, Norsa, Peregrina, Peter Pan, Raylah, Roundabout, Simanderal and Spirit of Nina. There have been some great `crossing the line’ ceremonies with `pollywogs’ being transformed into ‘shellbacks’ and we await the photos to start appearing! The Rocks Pub and restaurant has become Rally HQ around happy hour and everyone is keen to meet up and exchange stories of the deep.