ARC+ Opening Ceremony creates joyous atmosphere in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

The port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria came alive as the ARC+ Opening Ceremony took place at Las Palmas Marina.

The ARC+ is a two-stage transatlantic sailing rally from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Grenada via Cape Verde, and the Opening Ceremony marks one week until the start date.

The Opening Ceremony was a joyous occasion, celebrated by a very diverse fleet. This year 352 sailors from 28 countries are participating in ARC+ and this was reflected through the array of national flags on display. The flags created a colourful spectacle which was thoroughly enjoyed by all those taking part and onlookers who made the trip to the marina to soak up the atmosphere.

The atmosphere was made even better by the addition of local bands, Banda Guiniguada and Batucada Paixão. Their music created a ‘carnival-esque’ feel to the parade, where the participants were able to dance along to the music and immerse themselves in the vibrance of the occasion. 

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Bea Arts from Caconano (NED) said: “It was amazing. We had fantastic chats with all the people walking down the road. Everybody was cheering and we had goosebumps! To be together with all of the people who are doing the same thing and to have the music to listen to makes it feel like it’s really starting.

“The programme has been fantastic. We are really enjoying Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and all the people who are helping us from World Cruising Club are making us feel really welcome. All the other participants have been so nice and we’ve really connected with them.

“What we’re looking forward to the most is the feeling when we arrive in Grenada. To know that we sailed a week to Cape Verde, then two weeks to Grenada and that we made it (across the Atlantic) is the most beautiful thing.

The Opening Ceremony concluded on the southern breakwater of the marina where each nation hoisted their flags, accompanied by the Spanish national anthem. ARC+ Event Manager, Andrew Pickersgill, made a speech where he celebrated the variety of countries which make up the fleet, and thanked the Gran Canaria Tourism Authority, Ayuntamiento de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the Port Authority of Las Palmas for their ongoing support of ARC+.

Reflecting afterwards, Pickersgill said:“The Opening Ceremony for ARC+ is so enjoyable to be part of and every year there is such a fantastic atmosphere. It’s brilliant to celebrate such diversity amongst the fleet, and while the participants hail from different countries, they are united under the common goal of sailing across the Atlantic Ocean.

“We’ve had the pleasure of getting to know the fleet over the past few days since the ARC+ programme began on 28 October, but the Opening Ceremony feels like a significant milestone as the participants look ahead to the adventure of a lifetime.

“We are always very thankful to the people of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for embracing the ARC+ rally. Having local bands join us during the parade added to the fantastic atmosphere and we look forward to many of the locals joining us to spectate on the start on 8 November.” 

Between now and the start day, the participants have plenty to look forward to with the extensive shoreside programme organised by World Cruising Club. There will be numerous evening social events including sundowners, costume parties and the final farewell party on 6 November. These events will help the fleet to bond, building great camaraderie within the fleet.

In addition to social events, the participants will have the opportunity to attend live safety demonstrations and seminars from bluewater sailing experts which will help them to prepare for their Atlantic crossing.

Now that the Opening Ceremony is complete, anticipation will only continue to grow amongst the fleet. Many of the participants have prepared for the Rally for years, so the fact that it is now so close to the horizon is incredibly exciting.