Christmas Caribbean Rally adds racing division
by Nancy Knudsen on 26 Mar 2013
Christmas Caribbean Rally SW
There are always some sailors who want to make it a race, so the Christmas Caribbean Rally, the new Transatlantic sailing rally from the Canary Islands to Antigua and introduced recently as a cruising rally only, has added a racing division. This makes it even more similar to the ARC - the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers - except that it departs in mid-December, giving more time for the weather to settle after the hurricane season and the prevailing trade winds to be established.
To add an IRC racing division, the rally organisers have been negotiating with Britain's Royal Southampton Yacht Club (RSYC). As they say, the Royal Southampton has enormous experience in organising well managed racing events, so it seems like a good marriage.
The rally - and now race - both depart on the 16th December 2013.
The 'Christmas Caribbean Race' will be run under the guidance and race rules of the RSYC. This means that any charter/racing boats will be able to join in, and the price is the same whether you are racing or cruising. In addition, you pay one price for the boat (no extra cost for extra crew). There will be slightly different safety requirements if joining the racing division, and the organisers will be publishing more details of these on their website in the near future.
The new rally is also working with Britain's Cruising Association to offer British-based participants a weekend of seminars on preparation for the crossing. The first of these is to take place on 11/12 May.
Guest speakers include Jane Russell - author of ‘The Atlantic Crossing Guide', weather forecaster & routing specialist, Mike Broughton MD of Winningwind.com and John Simpson, Managing Director of Sailing Rallies. There will also be representatives from a wide variety of companies including Advance Yacht, Mailasail, Peters & May and Berthon on hand to offer advice and answer questions.
These are desirable for those who have not taken such a voyage before, but for other more experienced cruisers, such as those who are circumnavigating and have already covered many thousands of miles and who are not located in Britain in May, the seminars are not compulsory. If you are within reach and interested in the seminars, email mikaela@sailingrallies.com
For more information about pricing, inclusions and all other aspects of the race and rally, go to: www.sailingrallies.com
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