ARC2003 Start Approaching Fast!

24 October 2003

This is the fifth consecutive year that the ARC has attracted well in excess of 200 yachts, and more than 24 different nations are represented in the fleet. The largest national contingent, making up just over half the fleet is from Great Britain, followed by Germany and the USA. With a multi-lingual ARC team present in Las Palmas, World Cruising Club are working even harder to deliver the right level of service to this increasingly international event. Yachts have already started to arrive in Muelle Deportivo, Las Palmas and the ARC office officially opens on 10 November when the pre-start programme commences.

Commenting on the continuing success of the ARC, director of World Cruising Club, Andrew Bishop, said: "The atmosphere will be tremendous in Las Palmas this year with 24 nationalities represented. We are delighted with the international enthusiasm for the ARC which significantly enhances the global flavour of the event for all those taking part. I look forward to personally welcoming all the crews in Las Palmas."

But the ARC does not rest on its laurels, with continuous efforts being made to improve information and assistance to participating skippers and crews. This year in particular, has seen the launch of a new interactive forum exclusively for the participants. Available at http://forums.challengebusiness.com/, the forum is open to all ARC skippers and crews enabling owners to easily share information with their crew and to have immediate access to the latest ARC news, information and rally documents.

The Port Authority of Las Palmas continues to improve facilities for yachts with ambitious plans to double the marina capacity over the next three years. A new office has been built for the ARC team, together with a new shower and toilet block to service the newer visitors pontoons at the northern end of the marina.

The Las Palmas programme has been further refined following feedback from previous years' participants to include a seminar for double-handed cruisers, a Children's Optimist Regatta hosted by the Real Club Nautico and a number of other social events. This year sees the re-introduction of the pre-start Fiesta organised by the Ayuntaniento de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, open to ARC participants and local people alike, which follows the Farewell Party hosted by the Patronato de Turismo de Gran Canaria, and includes a magnificent firework display at midnight over the marina.

With two Volvo 60's, a brace of maxis and five Farr 65's entered, the racing division looks to be the one to watch this year. However, the largest yacht overall belongs to Peter Harrison of America's Cup fame, who will be hoping to set a new course record with his brand new 115ft cruising ketch, Sojana. If conditions allow she should revel in the tradewind conditions on route to St.Lucia. The record to beat is that set by Skipper Ross Daniels aboard the Farr 65 'Spirit of Diana', who completed ARC2001 in 11 days, 23 hours, 41 minutes and 43 seconds.

To help keep families and friends informed, news, pictures, daily logs, and most importantly, yacht positions are displayed on the ARC event website. Reached at http://arc.worldcruising.com/ the daily updates and stories from yachts and ports help bring the fun and special atmosphere of the rally to thousands of people following the ARC from around the world.

ARC 2003 will set sail from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on Sunday 23 November, with the first yachts expected to arrive in Rodney Bay, St.Lucia 12 to 14 days later. Most yachts should see a crossing time of between 16-21 days, with all yachts in by the final prizegiving on Saturday 20 December.

ENDS

Notes for editors:

ARC2003 is sponsored by the Tourist Board of Gran Canaria, the Port Authority of Las Palmas, the St Lucia Tourist Board, Rolnautic and in association with Yachting World.
ARC2003 starts from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands on Sunday 23 November 2003 and finishes at Rodney Bay Marina, St.Lucia.
The ARC is the largest transocean sailing event in the world, setting a record in 1999 of 235 starters
The 2700 n mile passage will take most of the yachts between 18 and 21 days.
World Cruising Club events include: 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.
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 ARC
World Cruising Club, 120 High Street, Cowes PO31 7AX, UK
Tel. +44 (0)1983 296060 fax. +44 (0)1983 295959
e-mail: [email protected]

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

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