ARC+ Fleet Departs Gran Canaria on Atlantic Adventure
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria buzzed with excitement as the 13th edition of the ARC+ rally got underway, sending 86 boats and more than 400 sailors on the first leg of their 3,000-nautical-mile Atlantic adventure.
Friends, family, and onlookers lined the marina walls to cheer the fleet as they crossed the start line on November 9. The multihull division’s 30 boats got underway at 1245 UTC, followed by 56 monohulls in the cruising and open divisions at 1300 UTC. The start featured steady 15- to 18-knot northeasterly winds and a rolling swell, setting up a lively sendoff for the international fleet representing 26 nations.
“The start went really well today, marking a spectacular end to a really enjoyable program here in Las Palmas,” said Paul Tetlow, managing director of World Cruising Club. “The fleet made a real spectacle as they headed off south. The wind conditions for the next few days promise some steady sailing, which should allow crews to settle into a good rhythm at sea.”
From the deck of the Excess 11 Kasafari, one of the smallest multihulls in the fleet, sailor Robin Bader said the weeks of preparation had been both educational and encouraging. “We were surprised about the provisioning as I have never bought that amount of food before,” Bader said. “The ARC+ program helps give you confidence because you can talk with experts and other participants who are doing their first Atlantic crossing.”
For many, the camaraderie formed in the lead-up to the start was as meaningful as the voyage ahead. The crew of the Sunbeam 53 Vision shared before departing, “It gives us confidence and joy to be part of this big sailing family. Fair winds and following seas to all. See you in Cape Verde with many exciting stories to tell.”
Early front-runners included Nick Phillips’ Lagoon 60 Nicara and Jean Jullien’s Outremer 55-2 Enjoy the Silence in the multihull division, along with Richard Hutchings’ Oyster 595 XoXo, leading the cruising division.
The fleet’s first leg covers roughly 850 nautical miles to Mindelo in Cape Verde, where crews will regroup and restock before embarking on the second leg, a 2,150-mile passage to Grenada. Most boats are expected to make landfall in Cape Verde within five to seven days, then reach the Caribbean by mid-December.
“The participants have really benefitted from the program of social and seminar activities over the last 10 days and are now feeling well prepared for the start,” Tetlow added. “Now they can just sail, enjoy themselves, and have fun.”
The ARC+ fleet will reunite in Grenada on December 11 for a closing celebration and prizegiving, capping off what promises to be another unforgettable ocean crossing for the international cruising community.
The post ARC+ Fleet Departs Gran Canaria on Atlantic Adventure appeared first on Cruising World.