Atlantic Circuit 2026–27 | 1–2 November 2026
Our Bay of Biscay sailing passage is now properly underway, with the crew aboard CH3, a Challenger 72, leaving the Solent behind and heading south towards the Bay of Biscay.
After a first night in Cowes, the crew have been getting to know one another, discovering the yacht’s many storage compartments and settling into life aboard. As the first crew blog reveals, even preparing breakfast can become an adventure when you’re provisioning for a large crew on a 72ft yacht!
Meanwhile, the sailing has got off to a promising start. With favourable north easterly winds, CH3 is making good progress towards Cascais on the Portuguese coast, the first planned stop before continuing south to Las Palmas in Gran Canaria.
Missed the start of the voyage? Read our first blog, Portsmouth to Canaries Sailing Adventure: We’re Underway!.
Here’s the latest from aboard.
Crew Blog — 1 November: Breakfast, Introductions and Departure
Plan was made the previous day to leave Cowes Yacht Haven at around 2 pm so first job of the day was to prepare breakfast to be ready by 8 :15 am. After studying the daily menu sheet and discovering the plan was for cereals and milk this plan was quickly overridden by the temporary skipper Giles and new one of a more demanding and satisfying bacon, scrambled eggs and toast was requested. What a voyage of discovery and I’m not talking about the passage to Las Palmas here but the not inconsiderable task of identifying where on the boat, in all the many cubby holes and nooks and crannies the requisite ingredients for a gourmet feast of bacon, crispy please and scrambled eggs not too dense, were located.
Lots of storage on a CH72
After breakfast we were met by our skipper for the trip proper, Adam and also joined by our last crew member Chris. Introductions followed which included such highlights as sailing experience, reason for doing the trip, a quirky self-fact and name. Quite tricky really remembering 15 names so Luis had to put up with being called Gary and various other misnaming incidents. We never did find out who Peter was. Maybe we’ll find him later in one of those cubby holes eating all the Bananas!
We then headed into Cowes for a Costa and to pick up final provisions before slipping lines for the tide to the needles around 1 pm.
A shout out for the watch Leaders, Mates and Skipper, Lee, Giles. James, David and Adam, what a great job mentoring and coaching and briefing our motley crew, patient, concise, considered and clearly expert and willing to share. We are for a great trip I think.
Skipper’s Midday Report — 2 November
All going nicely. On target to log 208nm in first 24hrs. Crew all well. Dinner was very good. Sun is shining.
Midday Report
Time of Report: 1200
Position 48 degrees 48.5 minutes North, 004 degrees,19.4 minutes West
Log from Cowes 199nm
Approximately 40 Miles NW of Ushant
Next Port of Call is Cascais
ETA Afternoon of Friday 6/11/26
Fuel Remaining: 1900lt and not planning to use the engine, across the bay.
Water – 3 Full tanks, one in use. Water maker not used yet
Gas – 4 Full. One in use (2 days use)
Currently Full main, poled out Y1. Plan is to drop the headsail and pass between the TSS and Ushant. Thereafter heading across the bay on a port tack and pass offshore of the TSS.
Met Office Forecast Biscay issued 1130 UTC 2/11/26, Wind NE 4-6. Visibility Good, occasionally moderate.
All Good,
Adam
Sailing downwind in the Bay of Biscay
Crossing the Bay of Biscay on a Challenger 72
With almost 200 nautical miles logged since leaving Cowes, the crew are making excellent progress on their offshore sailing passage towards Portugal.
Passing to the northwest of Ushant, off the Brittany coast, marks an important stage of the voyage. Ahead lies the Bay of Biscay, an area well known to offshore sailors for its changeable conditions and exposed waters and sometimes ferocious seas around the area of the continental shelf.
For those aboard, this is where the experience of offshore sailing really begins. The crew will be working in watches, managing sails, navigating and maintaining the yacht as they settle into a routine at sea.
The forecast north easterly winds should provide favourable conditions for the passage south, with the yacht sailing under a full mainsail and poled-out Yankee 1 headsail.
The next destination is Cascais, near Lisbon, with an estimated arrival on Friday 6 November.
Follow the Bay of Biscay Sailing Passage
This voyage is the first leg of First Class Sailing’s 2026–27 Atlantic Circuit, offering sailors the opportunity to experience everything from offshore passages to Atlantic crossings and Caribbean cruising.
And the adventure doesn’t end in Las Palmas.
ARC Rally 2026 — Crossing the Atlantic
From Gran Canaria, the Challenger 72 will take part in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), sailing approximately 2,700 nautical miles to St Lucia.
The ARC offers the chance to experience a full Atlantic crossing, including ocean watchkeeping, trade-wind sailing and the camaraderie of life aboard a large offshore yacht.
Caribbean Sailing Holidays — December and January
Yachts at anchor off a Caribbean Island behind a sheltering reef
Following the Atlantic crossing, there are two opportunities to enjoy Caribbean sailing holidays aboard the Challenger 72:
- 16–22 December 2026: St Lucia to Grenada
- 3–12 January 2027: Grenada to Antigua
These trips combine hands-on sailing with the opportunity to explore the Caribbean’s beautiful islands, anchorages and turquoise waters.
Antigua to Portsmouth — The Return Atlantic Passage
In January and February 2027, the Challenger 72 will complete the Atlantic Circuit with a return voyage from Antigua to Portsmouth.
For sailors looking to build offshore experience and substantial sea miles, this is another exciting opportunity to take part in a major ocean passage.
Could you be part of the next adventure?
Explore the upcoming trips at First Class Sailing and get in touch to enquire about remaining places.
We’ll be sharing more reports from Adam and the crew as they cross the Bay of Biscay and make their way towards Portugal. Follow the series to discover what life aboard a Challenger 72 is really like.
Next Up: Crossing Biscay and Reaching Cascais
The adventure continues as the crew cross the Bay of Biscay, enjoy night sailing with dolphins and practise astro navigation aboard the Challenger 72. After reaching Cascais in Portugal, attention turns to the next challenge: navigating around approaching Atlantic storms on the passage towards Gran Canaria.
Read Blog 3: Offshore Sailing Experience – Biscay, Cascais and Beyond
