The Ayuntamiento de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Las Palmas City Hall) has honoured the ARC with the city’s prestigious Medalla de Oro (Gold Medal) marking the 30th anniversary of the world’s most popular sailing rally and its contribution to the city’s maritime profile. The official Awards Ceremony was held on 23rd June at the Perez Galdós Theatre, as part of the Foundational Festivities of the Capital City of Gran Canaria. Andrew Bishop, Managing Director of World Cruising Club accepted the award from the Mayor of Las Palmas City, Augusto Hidalgo, to rapturous applause.
Each year since the ARC was first held in 1986, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has hosted the 200-boat fleet for their pre-rally preparations and spectacular start, providing the city with economic and tourism benefits from the thousands of sailors who visit to take part. The city-scape and local services have evolved over the years, but the warm the welcome that participants receive from the City and excellent facilities it provides for preparing for a transatlantic voyage, continue to make it perfect starting port for the world’s largest transocean rally.
During the Awards Ceremony, the Ayuntamiento de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria also recognised 22 personalities and groups due to their social, sports, commercial, scientific and cultural importance for their contribution to the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The ceremony is the start of the celebrations associated with the foundation of the city on 24 June in 1478, marked at midnight by a spectacular firework display watched by a crowd estimated to be 100,000 as they gather along the sea front promenade of Las Canteras beach to join in the festivities of San Juan day.
“Being presented a Gold Award by the City Hall of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a great honour for World Cruising Club as we celebrate the 30th edition of the ARC this year." said Andrew Bishop, "Since the first Atlantic Rally for Cruisers in 1986 Las Palmas has been the start port for the event. This award recognises the excellent relationship between our two organisations, and the contribution the ARC makes to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria each year. Personally it was a great honour to receive the Gold Award on behalf of World Cruising Club at such a prestigious and historically significant ceremony.”
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Andrew Bishop with other award recipients |
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ARC supporters in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, without whom the rally would not have enjoyed 30 years of success. All attended the ceremony to recognise their contributions. (L-R) Saro Arencibia, Daniel Quinta, Andrew Bishop, Juan Carlos Rodriuguez, Regine Faure, Cristina Rivero Meneses, Manuel Barroso, Alvaro Ledesma and Juan Francisco Martin (not pictured). |