Countdown is on as crews prepare for ARC+ start

Making final preparations

The docks around Las Palmas Marina are buzzing with activity and high with anticipation right now. It’s a busy few days for participants, with four days left to complete final preparations, tick-off items on their seemingly endless jobs list, plus still have time to take part in the comprehensive seminar programme and ARC+ social events. 

Meanwhile, skippers are starting to focus on the weather for Sunday’s crossing to Mindelo, and meteorologist Simon Rowell’s routing and weather briefing for the Atlantic crossing ensured a packed seminar room. Looking further ahead to their final destination and arrival at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, Grenada Tourism Authority whetted crews’ appetite with what is waiting for them on their arrival in the beautiful spice island.

First, however, is the 850NM leg to Mindelo, which will mean 5 to 7 days at sea, before the long haul of 2,150NM to complete their transatlantic crossing. For many in the fleet, this will be the longest they’ve been at sea, but for now their thoughts are just to make sure they are ready to cross the ocean. We spoke with a few participants on the docks about their thoughts and feelings ahead of Sunday’s start from Gran Canaria.

Bound for global adventures

“I believe we are the first Chinese crew to take part in the ARC+,” said Zhang Sicong, skipper of Tian Li’s aluminium Garcia Exploration 52, Expedition X (CHI). “We are really looking forward to ARC+ and embarking on our 3 to 4 year global voyage." After the Atlantic crossing, the team will sail through the Caribbean before heading for South America, Antarctica, Africa, Indian Ocean and Asia before returning to Europe via the Northwest Passage.

They are not the only crew circumnavigating after the ARC+ Rally, as Sea Wisdom II (USA), Beyond (MLT), Navigo (DEU) and Salta (VGB) will all be joining World ARC 2026-27 from Saint Lucia next January. The call of sailing round the world has also been a consistent draw for Lars Alfredson on Dawnbreaker (NOR), his 2002 Chuck Paine-designed aluminium boat. This will be his 6th Atlantic crossing: “I’ve had the boat since 2006 and have been sailing ever since - more or less. I have been all around the world – everywhere, from the north to the south.”  This will be his last long passage, and he has chosen to do it in ARC+ with his family, including three young grandchildren. “It is full speed every morning,” he laughs. Lars took part in ARC 2003 with a different boat, but because of the children decided to join ARC+ to make sure they have a good time. "I love to be on the sea and am looking forward to relaxing, looking at the ocean and sharing the experience with the family. The advice I’d give to others thinking of joining? I’d say, just do it!”

Returning with the family

Vicky Ellis (sailor, motivational speaker, engineer, mum) is skippering the Moody 44 Canopus along with her husband Laurence and their two children. She has taken part in the ARC previously; once in 2005 and again in 2011, but this will be the first time inARC+, as a family. Once a Yellowshirt on the World Cruising Club team in 2019, she is a highly experienced skipper having sailed around the world in the Clipper Race in 2013-2014 , at the helm of the 70ft ocean racing boat Switzerland – the only female skipper to do so that year. Having bought their boat 18 months ago in Greece, the family then cruised the Ionian last year and throughout the winter prepared her for bluewater cruising. It will be interesting to hear her thoughts and for her to compare the two different rally experiences, once they complete their crossing. Meanwhile, they are enjoying meeting other families, and their children are having fun, meeting new friends and joining in the ARC Kids Club activities.