The Atlantic Rally
for Cruisers (ARC) leaves Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Following years of planning, months of
trepidation, days of stowing, and hours of farewells, over 300 crew set sail
today from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for the start of the Atlantic Rally for
Cruisers - ARC 2020. It was a day that marked a great triumph for the sailors
that have formed a unique community in Las Palmas Marina over the past two
weeks of preparations. Additional challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have of
course altered some things this year, but the vibrant mood and palpable
excitement of departure day was as evident as it has been throughout the
rally’s 35 year history and the ocean beckoned for the eager sailors to begin
their adventure to Saint Lucia.
Ahead of the start, the sailors have
enjoyed their time in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with the port city providing a
warm welcome for the international crews. Preparing for a long ocean crossing
creates quite a jobs list and the support from the local businesses in the
marina to get all the yachts shipshape and ready to sail away has been terrific.
A series of online seminars, individual Safety Checks, and assistance with
local information from the World Cruising Club team has helped support skippers
preparations and this year there have been many returning sailors in the fleet
to offer advice for those crossing an ocean for the first time.
Robin Lemmens, sailing with her young
family on Hanse 455, Veni Vidi Vixi was amazed how the time in Las Palmas has
flown by, “In one short week we’ve prepared Veni Vidi Vixi to cross the
great Atlantic. From provisioning to cleaning, weather routing to tuning into
information sessions; there have been piles of laundry cleaned, folded and
tucked away and food stored in every small space available. Amongst ticking
items off the seemingly never ending ‘To Do List’, we’ve managed to connect
with some of the amazing fellow sailors who will be there on the VHF, YB app or
at least at the other end in our destination of Saint Lucia. Already, I am so
looking forward to deepening the connections that have sprouted here in Las
Palmas and I feel so grateful for the camaraderie - we are all in this
together.” said Robin.
Easterly winds blowing across Gran Canaria
from the Sahara brought the ARC fleet hazy sunshine for departure day, with a
light breeze of 8-10 knots carrying through the inshore starting area. A
procession of yachts large and small, monohulls and multihulls, made their way
out of Las Palmas Marina as crews stowed fenders and lines and began to prepare
their sails ready for the start. Horns echoed as they waved goodbye to
spectators, some adorned in matching crew shirts and special outfits to mark
the occasion, and at 12:35 the countdown began to the first start sound for the
Racing Division.
Whilst the ARC is predominantly a rally not
a race, it attracts some of the world’s greatest competitive sailors to take
part. Sailing legend JP Dick returned for his third ARC, this time sailing his
JP54 named The Kid double-handed with fellow Frenchman Fabrice Renouard. But it
was pro-sailor and big-boat racing veteran Peter Perenyi who sailed his Marten
68 Cassiopeia 68 with an all Hungarian crew on board across the start line
first at 12:45. With many miles ahead, it will be an interesting duel for the
IRC rated racing fleet, with boats ranging from 39ft to over 80ft.
The Cruising and Multihull Divisions began
their adventure at 13:00 with white sails set to glide through the line. The
light winds gave a bit of a challenge for the skippers to navigate as they
jostled to pass the Committee Boat and bid farewell to Gran Canaria. There were
big smiles and cheers as they passed over the line to begin their ARC
adventure.
Now the yachts are at sea, crews will adapt
to ocean life and quite a change of pace from the pre-departure rush. As boats
get south of Gran Canaria there should be some nice E-NE trades forming, with
the classic route southern route looking best for the cruising fleet. Their
progress can followed on the YB Tracking App and Fleet Viewer page https://www.worldcruising.com/arc/eventfleetviewer.aspx of the World Cruising Club website. From the ARC departure today, the majority
of boats will take 18-21 days to make the 2,700 nautical mile Atlantic
crossing, arriving in Rodney Bay Marina, Saint Lucia.