World ARC 2015-16 fleet prepare in Cape Town

by World Cruising Club on 5 Jan 2015 World ARC 2015-16 - There has been a World ARC fleet setting off from either Saint Lucia or Cape Town, to begin or complete its circumnavigation, for the previous seven years, each January. However, 2015 is the first year that World ARC has a fleet in Cape Town, preparing to cross the South Atlantic to Brazil and a new fleet, World ARC 2015-16, assembling in Rodney Bay Marina, Saint Lucia to go off across the Caribbean Sea and around the world.

In Saint Lucia, it was a busy day both inside and outside the Rally Office today as crews gathered to complete Rally Check-In and also to meet one another. The first owner to check in was John Dyer from the British registered yacht Exocet Strike. John travelled across the Atlantic during that last few weeks of 2014 and has been visiting Caribbean islands since, during Christmas and New Year.

17 yachts are expected in Saint Lucia and there is a full programme of social and seminar activities to allow crews to get to know one another and to learn more about their exciting year ahead. Already outside the Rally office there is a buzz of activity as crews introduce themselves to one another and share thoughts about Rally preparations and experiences.

Across on the other side of ‘the pond', the World ARC 2014-15 fleet have been having a fabulous time in Cape Town during Christmas and New Year. Although, several crew members took the chance to fly home to see family and friends during the festive season, there has been plenty of activity for those staying behind. The fleet has been berthed together at the Victoria and Alfred Water Marina in Cape Town, so it has been easy for crew to see one another and plan the next activity.

After a week long programme in each location, both fleets will depart for their next destinations on Saturday 10 January at midday, local time.