Generalities

The Atlantic Rally took place this year in Asturias and Cantabria from June 14 to June 23, 2025.

The participants

Eight RMs met up in Ribadeo:

• 2 RM 890: OLAN and L'ELIOBRIGUS
• 3 RM 1050: PIKOUROUS, TITANGRIS and SURFING POUPOUN
• 2 RM 1060: NORAMAX and TADEC
• 1 RM 1070: ATOL KOV

The Course

4 RM (L'ELIOBRIGUS, SURFING POUPOUN, TITANGRIS and TADEC) gathered in Sauzon on Saturday, June 7th for the crossing the following day in cans from the Bay of Biscay to Ribadeo.
Most of the ships arrived in Ribadeo a few days early, and their crews took the opportunity to visit the charming town, following in the footsteps of the "Indianos." These were Spanish emigrants who had made their fortunes in South America. Returning to Ribadeo in the 19th century, they modernized the town, competing to build magnificent houses and upgrading the infrastructure. Ribadeo is located on the border between Galicia and Asturias.
The pretty village of Castropol, opposite Ribadeo, is also worth a visit for its stately and aristocratic residences from another century.
In short stages, the longest of about 45 minutes, the rally reached Bilbao in eight days.

Chronology

Saturday, June 14

• The crews' first dinner in Ribadeo at a typical restaurant, initially scheduled for the following day, was brought forward by one day to take advantage of a wind window to reach Cudillero the next day.

Sunday, June 15

• Departure for Cudillero at 7:30 a.m. The wind is light from the northeast. It will strengthen by midday, reaching up to 18 knots. The entire fleet thankfully finds its berth around 5:00 p.m. in the small, well-protected harbor. An impromptu pontoon aperitif brought the crews together.

Monday, June 16

• Due to the lack of wind, the RM flotilla remains in port. A visit to the small village of Cudillero with its terraced houses, and additional provisioning are on the agenda for the day.
• A lovely late afternoon aperitif brings all the crews together on a terrace overlooking the port. Tapas and white wine enhance this convivial moment.

Tuesday, June 17

• An early departure for Gijon. The weather is beautiful, the sea is calm, but unfortunately, the easterly wind is light. The RM boats compete under their engines until Cape Penas, which they round around midday. But it is with a still light wind, ideal for the experts in light winds, that the flotilla sails to Gijon. A pontoon had been reserved for us in the marina.
• The beautiful flames of the AvRM are once again hoisted in the masts, as they will be every day at each port of call.

Wednesday, June 18

• Departure mid-morning for Ribadesella, the start of Cantabria. Beautiful weather, calm seas, and a lovely breeze, between 2 and 15 knots, unfortunately still from the east. Tacking along the coast allowed the boats to compete against each other with a good dynamic. The Ribadesella marina was reached in the late afternoon. Entry into the narrow channel leading to the marina was delayed due to the tide.

Thursday, June 19

• This day is a day off to enjoy the pretty town of Ribadesella and the church bells which chime every quarter hour during the day.
• The end of the day brings all the crews together in a cider house for tapas accompanied by cider and white wine.

Friday, June 20

• All the RMs, with the exception of the ATL KOV mono keel, come aground at low tide on the large sandbank of San Vicente de la Barquera, giving the opportunity for an impromptu aperitif on the sandbank surrounded by water.

• A few artistic expressions from the crews enhance this moment!
• It should be noted that this stranding site, well listed in the "strandings" section of the AvRM website, is one of the most beautiful on the northern coast of Spain.

Saturday, June 21

• The journey up the Santander estuary to reach its marina allows you to admire the magnificent royal residence of the King and Queen of Spain, as well as the city's magnificent architectural buildings.
• A thunderstorm and heavy rain in the evening forced us to retreat hastily to our boats, thus depriving us of our usual group aperitif on the pontoon.

Sunday, June 22

• The good weather returned, but with a light northeasterly wind as we made our way to Laredo marina. After rounding Cape Ajo, the beautiful spinnakers and Code D sails were hoisted, adding vibrant colors to a sky that was turning grey in the evening.
• The second crew dinner concludes this wonderful day. (Photo to be provided if possible)

Monday, June 23

• The flotilla leaves Laredo, but not before visiting the very picturesque old town with its narrow streets and imposing 16th-century church.
• The wind is still elusive. It won't pick up until midday, still from the Northeast.
• We all meet on the Visitors pontoon of the Getxo marina for an aperitif celebrating the official end of the rally.

• End of the rally? Not quite! Because the crews take advantage of the next day and the following days to visit Bilbao and its famous Guggenheim Museum.

BASELI (RM 1050), coming from the Basque coast, did us the pleasure of joining us in Bilbao.

Summary and conclusion

• The rally program was followed, with two exceptions. The start from Ribadeo was brought forward by a day due to a lack of wind. The Ribadesella marina was a new discovery for us, as the description of its access within the harbor was rather uninspiring, being dependent on the tide. However, we received excellent guidance, with the harbor master monitoring our progress via AIS, and a very warm welcome on the pontoon. It's worth noting, in general, the presence of someone on the reception pontoon to welcome boats into the marinas.
• The wind was sorely lacking during the cruise. Moreover, almost always from the east or northeast, it was contrary to the general direction of the rally. The prevailing southwest to northwest winds usually expected at this time of year were nowhere to be seen! Furthermore, a prolonged northeast wind creates a current along the coast flowing from east to west.
• A great sense of camaraderie and warm fellowship characterized this rally. More nights spent in marinas than initially planned fostered interaction between crews. Some lower-than-expected expenses and the use of the Stopover Passport by some boats allowed for the cost of these additional nights.
• The grounding at Saint Vicente de la Barquera also remains in people's memories.

• The rally budget was respected to within 17 euros.
• The fleet of 8 RM boats was able to find its place in the small port of Cudillero, but only just, thus confirming the maximum limit of 8 boats for this rally.