Sailors from over 30 nations came together yesterday in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, at the opening ceremony of the 40th Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), marking the one week count down until departure. The journey will begin on Sunday November 23, and take some 800 sailors across 2,700nm to the Caribbean’s Saint Lucia.
Sailors bearing flags from their home countries paraded along the main promenade of the port, accompanied by local musicians. D. Pedro Quevedo, the councillor of the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and Dácil La Camera, representing the Port Authority of Las Palmas, welcomed the crowd. Saint Lucia also sent representatives to the ceremony, including members of the Saint Lucia diaspora living in London and their tourism board. The festivities were followed by a paddle race around the marina with entries from both the ARC participants and 13 local organizations.
“The opening ceremony was amazing. I loved how there were all the flags and everyone was in great spirits,” says Marley Tonkin, a sailor preparing to do the crossing aboard Aurelia T. “Crossing the Atlantic always felt like that next stage, but now it’s getting to the day I’m starting to get a little bit apprehensive. That said, I’m so excited for it! I think it’s going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I can’t wait.”
With just a week left before the sailors leave, it’s now time for last minute prep and shoreside programming from the rally, including seminars and safety demonstrations. There will also be no shortage of social events.
This year’s rally has 148 boats registered, with a majority being monohulls, though there are a respectable 31 catamarans joining the fleet and even two trimarans. The boats span from 34 feet to 100 feet, and the crew members two to 80 years old. The event will also have an engineless IRC racing division, so there’s truly something for everyone in this event.
For more on this year’s rally, click here.
