World ARC 2012-13 formally came to a close last night with a prize giving dinner at the Royal St Lucia hotel in Rodney Bay. Rally crews and their guests sat down to a wonderful dinner before crews were called up in turn to receive gifts and prizes to mark their tremendous achievements during World ARC.
As the crews gathered for welcome drinks they were superbly entertained by a local Saint Lucian band which ensured a lively start to this evening of celebration. The food prepared by Chef Eike was excellent and it was also great to be joined by local supporters of World ARC, who had contributed to the event in Saint Lucia, during its departure and return.
To begin the prizegiving, the crews were welcomed back to Saint Lucia by the Honourable Lorne Theopilius, Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation in Saint Lucia, who outlined how important yachting was to Saint Lucia and how pleased he was to see World ARC's return to the country’s shores. Following on from this welcome, World ARC Event Manager, Paul Tetlow, began the presentation of awards to each boat, including anecdotes and memories of each crew’s journey during the last 15 months. Each crew received a plaque to acknowledge their participation, certificates to mark their achievements and a bottle of locally made Chairman’s Reserve rum. The crews also received a mystery prize.
The last crew to receive their prizes was that of Sophie, a Hallberg Rassy 40, sailed by husband and wife Harald and Christel Ertl. This couple completed their circumnavigation with no other crew on board.
The crews then opened their mystery prize – a photobook of 300 pictures put together to tell the story of the adventures and crews of World ARC 2012-13
Andrew Bishop, Managing Director of World Cruising Club then thanked the Saint Lucia Tourist Board for supporting the event and all the other contributors of World ARC. Having thanked his team for helping to deliver the event, Andrew concluded by thanking and congratulating the most important people of World ARC – the crews. They have ‘sailed the course and subsequently joined the unique club of circumnavigators.’ Their 'achievement is one which most sailors can only dream of’
The World ARC 2012-13 yachts will disperse to continue their cruising and passage making. Meanwhile, 40 plus skippers and crews continue with their preparations to leave Saint Lucia in January, 2014 with the next event, World ARC 2014-15.