A first Atlantic crossing is an achievement in itself. Finishing first makes it even more memorable.
In 2015, Leopard 48 DALA delivered an impressive performance during the ARC Europe rally, completing the 1,800-nautical-mile passage from Bermuda to the Azores in just 11.5 days. Owner Albert Levy, his first mate, Joelle, and expert crew member Richard arrived in Horta nearly 24 hours ahead of the next boat.
For Albert and Joelle, the arrival marked two firsts: their first-place finish and their first ocean crossing. “We are very happy and have some difficulty in realizing that we did it!” said Albert.
Crossing the Atlantic with ARC Europe
Organized by the World Cruising Club, ARC Europe gives cruising sailors the opportunity to cross the Atlantic west-to-east as part of an organized rally. The route brings together boats and crews for an offshore passage toward Europe, combining the challenge of bluewater sailing with the camaraderie and support of a cruising rally.
For DALA, the Bermuda-to-Azores leg offered an opportunity to put the Leopard 48’s sailing performance to the test over 1,800 nautical miles of open ocean. And the crew wasted little time making their move.
Finding the Wind and Taking the Lead
The DALA team made several smart tactical decisions to take advantage of stronger winds during the first half of the passage, pulling into the lead early. On day two, they took a slight northerly turn to avoid sailing directly downwind. The following day, they gybed onto a starboard broad reach and found themselves pointed directly toward Horta.
Under full main and code zero, Albert reported a personal-record top speed of 15.5 knots aboard the Leopard 48. Their early decisions paid off. DALA established a lead that the crew would hold for the remainder of the crossing.
Life Aboard DALA
As the winds diminished during the second half of the trip, the pace aboard DALA changed. With their lead established and calmer conditions settling in, the crew had more time to enjoy life at sea. Their luck with fishing seemed to improve as the wind disappeared, with the crew hooking three sailfish along the way. Eating well, watching the miles tick down and appreciating the marine life passing by became the new routine aboard.
But an ocean crossing is rarely without challenges. Throughout much of the first half of the passage, Albert and the crew also had to engage in the type of problem-solving that comes with serious offshore sailing. Those challenges made arriving in the Azores — and realizing what they had accomplished — even more meaningful.
A First Atlantic Crossing to Remember
As DALA approached Horta, Albert reflected on completing his first Atlantic crossing and the generations of sailors who had made similar passages under very different circumstances:
Nearing the end of this leg of the crossing raises all kind of thoughts, fighting between them to catch my attention. I wrote a few days ago that I was thrilled to cross the Atlantic for the first time. Approaching Horta, I feel I’m also paying my respects to those huge navigators, explorers and sailors, among them Joshua Slocum, who sailed there under extremely less comfortable conditions than what we are enjoying. They paved the way for our own adventure. Thank you very much indeed, Gentlemen!
For Albert and Joelle, the arrival in Horta represented much more than a strong rally result. They had successfully completed their first ocean crossing aboard their Leopard 48 — and had done it at the front of the fleet.
A Standout Achievement for the Leopard 48
DALA’s ARC Europe performance became another memorable chapter in the history of the Leopard 48. Designed by Simonis Voogd Yacht Design and built by Robertson & Caine, the Leopard 48 was created as a cruising catamaran capable of combining onboard comfort with sailing performance. DALA’s 1,800-nautical-mile passage offered a real-world demonstration of those capabilities.
The achievement is particularly notable because DALA wasn’t simply sailing for a short-term performance test. Albert and Joelle were cruising their own boat across an ocean, managing changing conditions and experiencing everything that comes with an offshore passage. Completing the Bermuda-to-Azores leg in 11.5 days and arriving nearly a full day ahead of the next boat made an already significant first Atlantic crossing one the DALA crew would never forget.
Congratulations to Albert, Joelle and Richard from the entire Leopard team on an incredible Atlantic crossing and a first-place ARC Europe finish.
