One of the things that make the Archipelago Raid format possible is the benefit of sailing at 59degN. The days are very long and the sun just dips below the horizon before it rises again. This is different at 24degN. Just thought I would mention this as the Archipelago Raid was mentioned for comparison.
Plus, the Archipelago Raid is in the summertime, whereas distance races here tend to be in the late fall, winter or spring, when we have better wind, but less daylight.
