ARC+ 2025 leaves Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for Cape Verde

The 13th edition of ARC+ set sail from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria as over 400 sailors began the first leg of their transatlantic sailing voyage.

The fleet departed the Port of Las Palmas on 9 November to crowds of friends, family and local spectators cheering them on from the marina wall, before crossing the start line 1/2NM south of the Port of Las Palmas. The Spanish customs patrol vessel Condor acted as the ARC+ Committee Vessel and at 1245 UTC the 29 multihulls taking part crossed the line, followed by the larger group of 54 boats, from the cruising and open divisions, at 1300.

This year, 86 boats from 26 countries are taking part in the rally, which will see sailors travel 850NM south to Mindelo in the Cape Verde islands and then 2150NM to Grenada in the Caribbean.

A big swell made conditions slightly challenging for the start with sailors experiencing northeasterly wind conditions of 15-18 knots. "The start went really well today, marking a spectacular end to a really enjoyable programme here in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria." said World Cruising Club's Managing Director Paul Tetlow. "The fleet made a real spectacle as they headed off south, down the east coast of the island. The wind conditions for the next few days promise some steady sailing conditions which should allow crews to settle into a good routine at sea” continued Tetlow.

Ahead of the start, Robin Bader, who is sailing on board the Excess 11 Kasafari – one of the smallest multihulls in the fleet, said: “Preparations have gone really well. We were surprised about the provisioning as I have never bought that amount of food before and we realised it requires a lot of planning ahead. The ARC+ programme helps to give you confidence as you can talk with experts and other participants who are doing their first Atlantic crossing."

"I have been overwhelmed by all the friendships we have made in just the few weeks here in Las Palmas," said the crew of Sunbeam 53 Vision before leaving the dock. "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."

“Participants will have prepared for a long time for this day and today is an exciting one because all that hard work and preparation come together,” explained Paul Tetlow. “We feel that participants have really benefitted from the programme of social and seminar activities over the last 10 days and are now feeling really well prepared for the start. Now they can just sail and enjoy themselves and have fun.”

Multihull Division

Nick Philllips and family on board their Lagoon 60 Nicara and Jean Jullien's brand new Outremer 55-2 Enjoy the Silence made the most of the good conditions, enjoying a good start, with William Tipper's Outremer 45 Melusy also vying for pole position over the start line which saw a large fleet of 30 multihulls departing on their Atlantic adventure.

Cruising and Open Division

It was a competitive start at 1300 UTC for the boats in the Cruising Division, with the fleet tightly grouped around the outer distance mark and almost half the boats already over the start line within the first minute of the starting signal.

Soon after leaving the line, Richard Hutchings' British Oyster 595 XoXo led the Cruising Division, with Linn Eve Krogholm's Norwegian Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50DS Eveline and Ignacio Suárez’s Spanish Wauquiez 55 Gorila all making a good start.

The first leg of the journey to the Cape Verde islands will take most boats between 5 and 7 days. Upon arrival, they will take time to replenish supplies before setting sail again to Grenada on 21 November.

The second leg of the journey will usually take most boats between 14 and 18 days in a voyage which will provide a lifetime of memories.

Arrival in Grenada will feel like a major achievement for most ARC+ participants, so they are sure to make the most of the unfailing Caribbean hospitality, before reconnecting with fellow ARC+ sailors at the final prizegiving on 11 December.