(Lanzarote, Canary Islands)- Each year at this time a mass migration of
boats from the continental USA and Europe heads to the Caribbean through
numerous rallies and races for sailors that seek a warmer climate.The two largest events are the “ARC” races (really cruises in company) that are organized by World Cruising. One leaves the USA from Portsmouth, VA and heads to Nanny Cay in the British Virgin Islands. The other event, the “granddaddy” of them all is the ARC Europe rally that leaves from the Canary Islands and heads to St Lucia.
ARC Caribbean 1500
The ARC Caribbean 1500 began on November 5th from Portsmouth, VA at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay with eighteen boats sailing 1,500nm to Nanny Cay in Tortola, British Virgin Island. Included in that fleet is the J/42 MERLIN sailed by Pete Watkins from Boise, Idaho.
The ARC Europe
The ARC + Cape Verdes left Gran Canaria on November 5 and the ARC direct to St. Lucia leaves Las Palmas on the November 19. In all, nearly 200 boats will join the fleet.
The ARC is a ‘must do’ for many sailors, and attracts over 200 boats and 1,200 people every year to sail 2,700 NM across the Atlantic from Gran Canaria to Saint Lucia.
The ARC is for everyone; families with children, tough racers, cruising couples, big boats and modest boats. Crossing the Atlantic together, but having their own adventures. More than just a boat race, the ARC is about friendships made ashore in the two weeks of pre-departure activities continued over the radio net at sea. It’s about arriving in Saint Lucia to be met on the dock with a rum punch and a chilled beer, knowing you have achieved something fantastic - crossing an ocean on a small sailboat. Participating in this year’s event is the Dutch J/133 JACKY X owned and skippered by Gerard Feenema. For more ARC Rally sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.
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