ARC January - Early arrivals celebrate
by World Cruising Club 29 Jan 2022 00:27 PST
After 18 days and 23 hours, double handed crew Norbert and Soja Glahn onboard their Amel 60, Mrs G, docked gracefully into IGY Rodney Bay Marina this morning, Friday 28 January. Both were greeted by a great applause and lots of hooting from neighbouring boat owners, many who took part in ARC 2021.
Mrs G is the fourth boat to arrive in the ARC January fleet. Lighter winds in the first week of the route followed by a low-pressure causing trouble in the middle has meant the trade winds haven't developed as expected. However, the coming week will see most of the fleet cross the finish line in Rodney Bay whereupon they can expect a warm welcome to the island.
To celebrate the early arrivals, drinks and entertainment were laid on in the Marina by World Cruising Club Partners; Saint Lucia Tourist Authority and Events Company of Saint Lucia for those boats already here along with previous ARC crews who have kindly volunteered to act as the finish line boat. As the sun went down behind Rodney Bay, it was a chance for the crews to meet and discuss their Atlantic experiences.
The third boat in the ARC January fleet to dock was Volare, a Neel 51, skippered by Eric Gosh. Travelling a route of 2876 NM and crossing the rum line several times the crew experienced both calm and challenging seas. Having only collected their boat on the 25th October 2021, from La Rochelle, and docked the boat for the second time here in Saint Lucia (the first being Las Palmas), Eric and his wife, Gisela look forward to spending some time here in Saint Lucia.
During their stay in Saint Lucia participants will experience the excellent facilities within the marina and Rodney Bay Village which is just a 15-minute walk, or a five-minute trip in the dinghy. With six restaurants and bars in the main complex and many more to choose from across the lagoon this is an ideal location to soak up the Caribbean atmosphere and take in their great achievements.
Having emptied those freezers during the crossing the island also has many local fruits and vegetables to offer. Three times a week there is a local farmers market here in the Marina where boats can be restocked with honey, coconut oils, mango, bananas, passion fruits and many more exotic foods from the island.
Its great to see the boats arrive and sense the excitement build around the docks. Overnight sees another 2 boats arrive, PolePole, a Catana 53 with crew from the UK followed by, Amante, a Haylas 70. The rest of the fleet follow on behind.