The World ARC crews marked the end of their adventure today with a spectacular Parade of Sail along the coast of Saint Lucia. It was a fitting end of sail and celebration to acknowledge the huge achievement of these yacht’s crews in sailing around the world over the last 15 months.
The fleet set off from Marigot Bay Marina where they had been staying for the last few nights and headed north, sailing in line astern of one another. The boats dressed overall with signal flags and courtesy flags of the many country which they had visiting since last being in Saint Lucia.
The Parade of Sail completed a circuit in Castries Harbour and was then joined by local boats from the Saint Lucia Yacht Club, who cheered and waved before following on behind the fleet. All yachts then arrived back in Rodney Bay, which many of the World ARC crews had last seen in January 2012.
The yachts were quickly alongside in IGY Rodney Bay Marina where the staff had prepared a whole dock for the exclusive use of World ARC. The whole fleet was berthed within 20 minutes and so it was swiftly up to the Ocean Club where the Marina hosted food and drinks to the rhythm of steel pan music. There was a really great atmosphere as crew congratulated one another on their special achievement.
The celebrations could have continued all afternoon but the many of the crews needed to leave after a while to sort out the boats and get ready for the final prize giving this evening.