Cruisers, racers, and multihulls; sleek ocean racing machines, alongside comfortable family cruisers; boats of many shapes and sizes all headed out from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria today as the 29th Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) finally got under way. Yesterday’s planed start was rescheduled due to strong winds locally in Gran Canaria, much to the relief of all the crews. For only the third time in the rally's history, the decision was made to delay the start and the fleet remained in port for an extra night. Crews were greeted this morning with a fine NE breeze and the prospect of a swift start to their passage across the Atlantic. In total, 176 boats and 1020 people, including 27 children aged under 16, are sailing with the route directly to Saint Lucia in this year's edition of the world's most popular transocean rally.
Delaying the start
Strong winds blowing through the harbour of Las Palmas caused ARC organisers World Cruising Club to announce a delay to the start of ARC 2014. Whilst the front that brought 4 days of heavy rain squalls to Gran Canaria had passed through, locally strong winds made it unsafe to manoeuvre boats in the harbour, and would have given a very unpleasant first night at sea. The majority of ARC boats are family cruisers, who will have a much nicer start to their Atlantic crossing because of the delay.
First boats to cross the start line
While the ARC is a cruising rally, there is a start and finish line, and the boats are split into divisions according to size, type and competition. Two boats opted to depart Las Palmas early, so 174 yachts sailing under the flags of 24 nations crossed today's start lines.
The race boats were first away, and it was too close to call on the start line with the Italian FY 61 Tyke and Ross Applebey's Lightwave 48 Scarlet Oyster first across the line as Farr 100 Leopard by Finland, powered through right behind them. Spinnakers and gennakers were put to full use as the racers gybed out to seaward and away from the coast of Gran Canaria to find clear air away from the island's wind acceleration zone.
The cruising division is the largest group of ARC yachts, with 116 boats, and were joined for the second start by 24 multihulls and 6 boats in the Open division. By their start at 11:00, the NE breeze had filled to a steady 15-20 knots, with the forecast ahead promising good tradewind sailing for their first days at sea. Aphrodite, a Swan 46 was first to cross the line, followed by Norwegian Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS Summer Star and Hallberg Rassy 54 Bluewater Mooney sailed by Wilhelm & Monica Klaas from Germany.
ARC crossing record
All boats are now on their way to Saint Lucia, 2,700 nautical miles to the southwest. The weather forecast suggests good north-easterly trade winds for the first few days, which will mean a fast sail south towards the Cape Verdes for the cruisers, slowing later into the passage.
The ARC crossing record is 10 days, 21 hours, 25 minutes and 10 seconds, set by Caro a Knierim 65 in ARC 2013. This is likely to be under serious threat from 100 foot super maxi Leopard by Finland. Leopard is sailing with a crew of 23 in ARC 2014, and has a considerable history of conquering Atlantic speed sailing records that will make her one to watch, albeit briefly, on this year's Fleet Tracker.
Farewell to Las Palmas
In the two weeks of ARC activities in Las Palmas, the boats and crews become an important part of the city, and they always receive a warm send-off. Boats left the docks accompanied by thumping salsa beats from the PA system of the fuel dock, and calls of support from staff at businesses around the marina, as well as crowds of well-wishers lined the seawall to wave off the boats on their Atlantic adventure. Many crews joined in the party mood wearing coloured wigs, waving flags and even a trumpet serenade from the crew of Amel Maramu Tinia. The Tourist Board of Gran Canaria, the Port Authority of Las Palmas, and the city government of Las Palmas, have been wonderful hosts to ARC participants for the past two weeks and it is their continued support that makes the atmosphere in the lead up to start day so spectacular.
Follow the fleet
All ARC boats are fitted with YB Tracking satellite trackers, allowing family and friends to follow the fleet from the comfort of home. Since the tracking website went live, over 17,000 people have visited the website, and move than 1,300 have downloaded the YB Tracking App for the ARC fleet. In addition to showing boat positions, the online Fleet Viewer displays heading, speed and boat information, plus wind direction and speed.
Follow the fleet online at http://www.worldcruising.com/arc/eventfleetviewer
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