New 'cold water route' for World ARC 2015

by Nancy Knudsen on 30 Mar 2013 If you have ever wanted to sail 'the Horn' but the challenge was proving daunting, the World ARC, the round-world version of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) run by the World Cruising Club, is planning an east-west 'cold water route', via the spectacular Beagle Channel.

As the current World ARC 2012-13 fleet reaches the end of their own 15-month circumnavigation and 48 yachts are already planning their departure from Saint Lucia from 2014, back in the planning office the World Cruising Club organisers are busy putting together their latest great scheme for 2015

For 2015, there is an exciting new route choice to discover South America before re-joining the main fleet in Tahiti. Those opting for the 'cold water route' will set off from Europe in late 2014 sailing from Portugal to Brazil via Madeira, the Canary Islands and Cape Verdes. Heading south the cruise calls at Uruguay and Argentina before exploring the Beagle Channel and Chilean Canals. With two months to explore Patagonia there is plenty of time to enjoy this unique wilderness before heading out across the Pacific via Easter Island, Pitcairn and Gambier to meet up with the 'warm water route' in Tahiti.

Here's the planned 'cold water' route, including the famed Beagle Channel and the magnificent Patagonian Waterways, and commencing in Lagos in Portugal:

Lagos – Madeira - Lanzarote (pursuit) 530 + 280 Sat 27 Sep 14
Cruise Canary Islands
Las Palmas rendezvous Tue 28 Oct 14
Gran Canaria - Sao Vicente (Cape Verdes) 870 Sun 2 Nov 14
Sao Vicente - Salvador da Bahia (Brazil) 2060 Wed 12 Nov 14
Cruise Brazil
Rio de Janeiro rendezvous Wed 10 Dec 14
Rio de Janiero – Montevideo – Mar del Plata 1170 Sun 14 Dec 14
Mar del Plata – Punta Arenas 1200 Sun 4 Jan 15
Punta Arenas - Puerto Williams 275 Sun 18 Jan 15
Cruise Cape Horn / Beagle Channel
Puerto Williams rendezvous Wed 28 Jan 15
Cruise Patagonia and Chilean Canals
Puerto Montt rendezvous
Valdivia (Chile ) rendezvous Tue 2 Mar15
Valdivia-Easter Island-Pitcairn-Gambier (French Polynesia)
(pursuit) 1950 + 1120 + 300 = 3370 Sun 7 Mar 15
Cruise Tuamotus to Tahiti
Tahiti rendezvous Thu 23 Apr 15
Route on from Tahiti as per World ARC 2015 Panama Canal route
A route option to include the Falkland Islands may be available depending on the political situation
prevailing with Argentina at the time of the start in 2014.

About the 'normal' World ARC, from Australia or Saint Lucia:
Starting from Saint Lucia and Australia, World ARC is the voyage of a lifetime. A 26000 NM tradewind circumnavigation with the World Cruising team in every port ensuring a warm welcome.

World ARC is a mix of cruising in company and free time to explore. Make a full circumnavigation or sail half a rally. The pace keeps the fleet together, enjoying the shore-side activities as a group, while staying with the best weather.

Families with children, retirees or a ‘grown up gap year’ - all are welcome as part of World ARC. World Cruising Club's dedicated rally team will be doing everything to ensure you make the most of your time ashore, and provide peace of mind at sea.

As one past rally participant expressed it, voicing the thoughts of many, 'Bill and I will remember this trip every day of our lives. It has been a life changing experience'

For information on all the World Cruising Club rallies, go to their http://www.worldcruising.com/!Website.