Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard FD July August September 2023

Spirit smashes ARC course record!

by Rachel Anning on 6 Dec 2003
At 21:52 local time on Thursday 4 December (01:52 UTC 05 December), the first yacht of ARC 2003 finished in style, smashing the course record by several hours. Spirit, one of the two Volvo 60's taking part in the ARC, skippered by Hamish Oliphant and his crew of 15, steamed across the ARC finish line under full sail at 18 knots.

It was an incredible sight as she rounded Pigeon Island in the dark, approaching the finish line with her crew hanging out high on the windward side, huge smiles on everyone's faces as cold beers and rum punch beckoned them ashore.

What a great achievement for all the crew, with a finish time some 10 hours ahead of the previous ARC course record, Spirit now holds the new ARC course record of 11 days, 13 hours, 12 minutes and 20 seconds. The crew remarked that their top speed had been 21.3 knots surfing down a wave, although one crew member commented that the only soft surfaces on the boat were the crew's backsides!

It seems the excitement of racing such a yacht across the Atlantic Ocean also means a trade off in the galley department and several cries of joy were heard from the few that had missed fresh fruit and vegetables for the last 11 days as the welcome fruit baskets were loaded aboard.

At anchor tonight, the skipper opted to keep it simple rather than attempt to squeeze their 12 foot draft through the narrow cut leading to Rodney Bay marina. Tomorrow sees St. Lucia welcome their record breaking arrival in style with a special welcoming ceremony at 1100 a live band and undoubtedly a carnival atmosphere.

Next ARC boat due to arrive looks to be Venom, most likely arriving the morning of Friday 5 December, so keep an eye on the site for the latest news!

ARC 2003 started from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on Sunday 23rd November 2003.
RORC Racing Division Yachts at 12:40 UTC
All other Divisions at 13:00 UTC

Spirit - VOR 60 official finish time: 05/12 01:52:20 UTC
Elapsed time and new course record: 11 days, 13hrs, 12 mins, 20 sec.

For further details visit http://arc.worldcruising.com
Lloyd Stevenson - Catalyst Yacht Tender 1456x180px BOTTOMMySail 2025Selden 2020 - FOOTER

Related Articles

America's Cup: Part 2 - No Excuse to Lose
The last race of the (63+254i) America's Cup has begun where tension deepens and strategy sharpens The last race of the (63+254i)th America's Cup has begun. Earth's syndicate, led by the New York Yacht Club, faces off against the Thalassocratic League of Deniau in a final match — winner takes all.
Posted on 18 May The appeal of offshore
Is there still appeal? Have we made it too onerous? Why would someone take it up now? I had been pondering. Yes. Marquee events have no issue attracting entrants. Middle Sea, Transpac, Cape to Rio, Fastnet, and Hobart all spring to mind instantly, but what of the ‘lesser' races? Lots of boats in pens (slips) a lot of the time
Posted on 18 May 44Cup Porto Cervo overall
Team Nika regains 'her' golden wheels Vladimir Prosikhin, tactician Nic Asher and Team Nika provided a masterclass in RC44 racing on the final day of the 44Cup Porto Cervo, organised between the RC44 Class and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.
Posted on 18 May Record falls in Regata dei Tre Golfi
The tone was set with a magnificent downwind spinnaker start in 15 knots of wind While summer time Mediterranean offshore races can often be windless affairs, this was not the case for the 70th Regata dei Tre Golfi, the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia's 156 mile offshore race that formed opening part of the IMA Maxi Europeans.
Posted on 18 May Formula Kite Europeans in Urla day 4
Despair and dominance define chaotic day Scrappy racing in mixed up breeze kicked off the next stage of the championship as the leaders gave a masterclass in consistency while others dropped kites and places heading towards the medal series.
Posted on 18 May Etchells North American Championship day 2
Three more races held on Saturday The 2025 Etchells North American Championship continued with 3 more races on Saturday. Conditions were more favorable for racing today with wind in the 8 - 12 kt range.
Posted on 18 May Dragon Worlds at Vilamoura overall
NONO wins Corinthian division, and FEVER the Masters title After an incredible week of high-stakes competition and unforgettable on-and-off- water moments, the Dragon World Championship by Tivoli Hotels & Resorts wrapped
Posted on 17 May 44Cup Porto Cervo day 3
Team Nika clings on going into final day After yesterday's stomach churning washing machine of a day, the Costa Smeralda turned the glamour conditions back on again for day three of the 44Cup Porto Cervo, organised by the RC44 class and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.
Posted on 17 May Galateia claims line honours at Tre Golfi Regatta
The Wallycento completes the course in in in 13 hours, 19 minutes and 42 seconds Galateia, the Wallycento owned by David Leuschen and Chris Flowers, was the first yacht to cross the finish line of the 70th Tre Golfi Regatta.
Posted on 17 May ILCA 6 Women's and ILCA 7 Men's Worlds overall
The northern wind arrives - Qingdao's final challenge Today marks the final day of the 2025 ILCA World Championships. While the champions have yet to be crowned, Qingdao's signature northern wind has already unfurled the curtain on the ultimate showdown.
Posted on 17 May
This site and its contents are Copyright © 2025 Sail-World Sail-World USA and/or the original author, photographer etc. All Rights Reserved. Photographs are copyright by law. If you wish to use or buy a photograph contact the photographer directly.
If you have any questions about advertising or editorial then please contact our team. If you encounter any technical issues then please email techsupport@sail-world.com
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy