Photo: ARC and World Cruising Club
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The
29th Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) set sail today bound for Saint
Lucia following a delayed start due to strong winds locally in the
harbour of
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria yesterday. For only the third time in the
rally's history, the decision was made to delay the start, initially
planned for 12:30 on Sunday 23 November by 20 hours. The ARC 2014 fleet
remained in port for an extra night, and were
greeted this morning with a fine NE breeze providing a swift departure
for the first part of the passage across the Atlantic. In total, 176
boats and 1020 people, including 27 children aged under 16, are sailing
with the route directly to Saint Lucia in this
year's edition of the world's most popular transocean rally.
Delaying the start
Strong
winds blowing through the harbour of Las Palmas caused ARC organisers
World Cruising Club to announce a delay to the start of ARC 2014.
Whilst the
front that brought 4 days of heavy rain squalls to Gran Canaria passed
through, locally strong winds make it unsafe to manoeuvre boats in the
harbour to set off on schedule.The majority of ARC boats are family
cruisers, who will have a much nicer start to
their Atlantic crossing after the delayed start.
First boats to cross the start line
While
the ARC is a cruising rally, there is a start and finish line, and the
boats are split into divisions according to size, type and competition.
Two
boats opted to depart Las Palmas early, so 174 yachts sailing under the
flags of 24 nations crossed today's start lines.
At
10:15UTC
the postponement flag was lowered ahead of the start of the Racing
Division. 28 boats jostled for position on the start line laid across
the
entrance to the harbour of Las Palmas. It was too close to call for the
Committee Boat as the racing fleet powered across the start line;
Italian FY 61
Tyke and Ross Applebey's Lightwave 48
Scarlet Oyster crossed the line together as Farr 100
Leopard by Finland,
powered through right behind them. Spinnakers and gennakers were put to
full use as the racers gybed out to seaward and away from the coast of
Gran Canaria to find clear air
away from the island's wind acceleration zone.
The
cruising division is the largest group of ARC yachts, with 116 boats,
and were joined for the second start by 24 multihulls and 6 boats in the
Open
division. By their start at
11:00,
a fine NE breeze filled in to a steady 15-20 knots, and the forecast
ahead promises good tradewind sailing for their first days at sea.
Aphrodite, a Swan 46 was first to cross the line, followed by Norwegian Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS
Summer Star and Hallberg Rassy 54
Bluewater Mooney sailed by Wilhelm & Monica Klaas from Germany.
ARC crossing record
All
boats are now on their way to Saint Lucia, 2,700 nautical miles to the
west. The weather forecast suggests good north-easterly trade winds for
the
first few days, which will mean a fast sail south towards the Cape
Verdes for the cruisers, slowing later into the passage.
The ARC crossing record is 10 days, 21 hours, 25 minutes and 10 seconds, set by
Caro a Knierim 65 in ARC 2013. This is likely to be under serious threat from 100 foot super maxi
Leopard by Finland.
Leopard
is sailing with a crew of 23 in ARC 2014, and has a considerable
history of conquering Atlantic speed sailing records that will make her
one to watch, albeit briefly, on this year's Fleet
Tracker.
Farewell to Las Palmas
In
the two weeks of ARC activities in Las Palmas, the boats and crews
become an important part of the city, and they always receive a warm
send-off. Boats
left the docks accompanied by thumping salsa beats from the PA system
of the fuel dock, and calls of support from staff at businesses around
the marina, as well as crowds of well-wishers lined the seawall to wave
off the boats on their Atlantic adventure.
Many crews joined in the party mood wearing coloured wigs, waving flags
and even a trumpet serenade from the crew of Amel Maramu
Tinia.
The Tourist Board of Gran Canaria, the Port Authority of Las Palmas,
and the city government of Las Palmas, have been wonderful hosts to ARC
participants for the past two weeks and it is
their continued support that makes the atmosphere in the lead up to
start day so spectacular.
Follow the fleet
All
ARC boats are fitted with YB Tracking satellite trackers, allowing
family and friends to follow the fleet from the comfort of home. As well
as position,
the online Fleet Viewer displays heading, speed and boat information.
Wind direction and speed is also shown. Follow the fleet online at
http://www.worldcruising.com/
arc/eventfleetviewer
Arrival in Saint Lucia
The
majority of boats will take 18-21 days to make the 2700 nautical mile
Atlantic crossing, arriving in Rodney Bay Marina, Saint Lucia.
Whatever
time they make landfall, every boat will be met at the dock by Saint
Lucia Tourism and World Cruising Club staff bearing a welcome rum punch
and
cold drinks. There is a full schedule of events in Rodney Bay for all
ARC crews and their friends and families, culminating in the ARC prize
giving on
20 December.