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of a lifetime The race

For thousands of amateur sailors from across the world, the ARC has made the dream of sailing some 2,700 nautical miles across the Atlantic a reality, writes Ginny Light

The ARC event was conceived by yachting journalist Jimmy Cornell in 1986 who was enthused by the tales of excitement and camaraderie told to him by skippers who had completed the transatlantic passage.

Thirty-four years on, the present-day event between Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia, is still true to its roots. The ARC offers a safety net of support to amateur sailors, together with the fun of friendly competition.

Andrew Bishop, managing director of World Cruising Club, organisers of the ARC, says: “The ARC is an amazing event, which each year brings together a diverse group of international crews to sail across the Atlantic. I am delighted that this year we have six young Saint Lucians participating as part of our ARC Youth Team, a World Cruising Club initiative to help mark this special year.” The first event, ARC’86, set a record for the largest transocean race ever staged, when 204 yachts set off from Gran Canaria. The 2019 event will see up to 300 yachts take part as the event

now offers two starting points, with ARC+ participants going via the Cape Verde islands and setting off two weeks earlier.

All of the participants finish at Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia, where the marina is able to accommodate all of the yachts at the end of the rally. This makes for an electric atmosphere of jubilation and esprit de corps as crews cheer their compatriots across the finish line. While the entrants in the Racing Division jostle to beat the ARC course record of 8 days, 6 hours, 29 minutes and 15 seconds, set in 2016, the majority of boats are in the Cruising Division, where finish times take into account any hours of motoring. In this category, aside from prizes for the fastest crew, there are also awards for the fastest family boat, the oldest boat, and even the last to arrive in Rodney Bay.

Says Bishop: “The ARC is a tremendous event, and seeing participants celebrate their achievement on arrival into Rodney Bay is always a very special moment for those of us ashore. ARC flags continue to fly long after the rally has finished, fostering the many long term friendships that are formed during the event. I’ve seen much change over the years, but the warmth of the Caribbean welcome on arrival and the camaraderie amongst the participants are constants that help make the ARC so special.”

Andrew Bishop, managing director of the World Cruising Club