So where are the Azores?

I was chatting about the AZAB in the Pub recently (where else?) when someone asked

“So where exactly are the Azores?”

Good question. I know because I have looked, but it may not be obvious to everyone.

In short, in a yacht, turn starboard (right) out of Falmouth, steer 215⁰ true and wait for about a week (1200 miles) until you bump into Sao Miguel.  The race heads to Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel, which is one of the nine islands of the Azores archipelago about 870 miles west of Portugal, almost in the middle of the North Atlantic – I can already hear you thinking about Atlantic storms, but the race is due to be held in June 2027.  Statistically, the chance of a storm of force 8 or above in June in the North Atlantic is less than 10%, but we will nevertheless prepare for the worst.

The nine islands are all of volcanic origin and although autonomous are a region of

Portugal and are therefore the furthest east point of the European Union. Interestingly, the highest point in Portugal is Mount Pico on the Island of Pico at 2351 metres.  That looks like another adventure in the making if we have got enough time between arriving and the return leg.

If you want to see where exactly in the azores we're going to ... https://maps.app.goo.gl/EGPCqksAPvPypXpW6