Following the success of the inaugural rally from Lanzarote to Antigua last year, World Cruising Club have re-launched the event on the route for 2003. To better reflect the contribution made by the event sponsors the event will be know as the "Rubicon Antigua Challenge".

Starting from Marina Rubicon, Lanzarote on Saturday 22 November 2003, it is expected to have a fleet of between 30 and 40 yachts this year. Having hosted the event last year before being completed, Marina Rubicon is now much further advanced and will ensure an excellent starting venue.

Rafael Lorenzo, General Manager of Marina Rubicon, said of the new event "Marina Rubicon is an excellent place to prepare for an Atlantic crossing, with excellent new facilities and range of shore side attractions. We are delighted to host the start of this exciting new event and to welcoming the participating yachts to Marina Rubicon and the island of Lanzarote".

Whilst at Marina Rubicon for the ten days before the start, participants will benefit from a full programme of activities and seminars in preparation for the 2800 nautical mile Atlantic crossing.

During the crossing positions of the fleet will be collected and displayed on a special event web site, enabling family and friends to follow the progress of the yachts on their way across the Atlantic to Antigua, where the yachts will make landfall at Jolly Harbour Marina.

Andy MacDonald, Yachting Liaison Officer for the Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism said "We are delighted that World Cruising Club has chosen Antigua to finish their new second Atlantic crossing, and look forward to give all the participants of the Rubicon Antigua Challenge a truly Antiguan welcome when they arrive at Jolly Harbour Marina".

There will be a comprehensive programme of social activities in Antigua, including a tour of the island and other activities, culminating with a prize giving ceremony on Thursday 18 December.

Andrew Bishop, Director of World Cruising Club, comments "This re-branded second Atlantic crossing shows the commitment of sponsors to be involved with this great event. It also reinforces the position of World Cruising Club as the leading sailing event management company on the Atlantic routes. We are all very excited about providing Rubicon Antigua Challenge participants with a top level event, and introducing them to the hospitality of the islands of Lanzarote and Antigua."

ENDS

Notes for editors:

Rubicon Antigua Challenge is sponsored by the Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism and Marina Rubicon, Lanzarote.
Rubicon Antigua Challenge starts from Marina Rubicon, Lanzarote, Canary Islands on Saturday 22 November 2003 and finishes at Jolly Harbour Marina, Antigua.
The 2700 n mile passage will take most of the yachts between 18 and 21 days.
World Cruising Club events include: the annual ARC, from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Rodney Bay, St.Lucia; ARC Europe in association with Yachting World and Blue Water Sailing from Antigua every May; Yachting Monthly Rally Portugal from Plymouth to Lagos, Portugal; The Classic Malts Cruise in Scotland every July; The Corinthian Challenge Round the World Yacht Race due to start in September 2006; plus cruising seminars organised to help sailors with their cruising preparations.
World Cruising Club, organisers of the world's most popular yachting rallies, is part of Challenge Business, which was founded by Sir Chay Blyth 12 years ago.
Southampton based Challenge Business events include: The Global Challenge; the Round Britain Challenge; the Challenge Transat; the Atlantic Rowing Challenge; the Ocean Fours Rowing Challenge; the Blue Water Challenge 2006-2007. It also runs Challenge Corporate Events and Challenge Adventure Sailing.
A selection of maps and free images are available for press use.

Contacts: Rachel Anning, Challenge Business
Tel. +44 (0)23 8071 5300
Email: [email protected]
Websites: http://www.worldcruising.com
http://www.challengebusiness.com

Enquiries for the Rubicon Antigua Challenge:
World Cruising Club, 120 High Street, Cowes PO31 7AX, UK
Tel. +44 (0)1983 296060 fax. +44 (0)1983 295959
e-mail: [email protected]

Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism, Marina Rubicon, Lanzarote. http://www.antigua-barbuda.com

Marina Rubicon http://www.marinarubicon.com

World Cruising Club, 120 High Street, Cowes, PO31 7AX, England

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