World’s Largest Fleet for Trans-Atlantic ARC Rally

by Jeremy Wyatt on 6 Nov 2005 On November 20, the largest ever annual trans-Atlantic ARC Rally will set off from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to cross the Atlantic Ocean, most boats arriving in Rodney Bay, St.Lucia between 16 and 21 days later.

As the day draws closer, boats are gathering in Las Palmas to prepare for the biggest-ever departure day. Over the years, more and more boats have joined the rally - this year, it had reached maximum capacity of 225 boats by October. The rally offers both company and safety for the comparatively long voyage across the Atlantic, lots of fun at each end and along the way, and there’s a racing division for those who just can’t stop competing.

The rally is timed each year to coincide with the end of the hurricane season (which has caused such havoc this year in Mexico and the USA) and this partially explains the unique popularity of the event.

Boats participating come in many sizes, from the 10 metre boat Free Spirit, sailed by Mark and Natalya Ricketts from Great Britain, to Kalikobass II, at a whopping 32 metres. Many boats are brand new, but some are very old, like the 1956 Laurent Giles designed Pazienza, sailed by Richard Haycock also of Great Britain.

There are a total of 25 nations making up this year’s participants, but many more countries are represented in the crews. In fact, there are also 36 children (under 18) among the boats. There are plenty of prizes to be awarded for many categories of entrant, but it’s the experience that will be the reward for most participants.

Legendary yachtsman Sir Chay Blyth is Executive Chairman of Challenge Business, owner of the organising company, World Cruising Club. He comments, 'The ARC is a tremendous event. I am proud to be associated with it, and look forward to meeting many of the crews during the pre-start period in November.'

In the next couple of weeks, as the wharves of Las Palmas are become ever busier and noisier with boat preparation, and the supermarkets are gradually depleted of their stocks by swarms of yachties, we will bring you more stories of some of the participants about to set off on their adventure of a lifetime.