Sometimes it pays to be at the back of the fleet.
Arguably the best part about the ARC is that it’s not in fact a race, and being last is sometimes an advantage. A rally is a rally because more than anything else, it creates companionship and camaraderie amongst the participants, and that’s been out in full force lately as the last part of the fleet arrives into Rodney Bay Marina.
Three yachts arrived overnight last night. While Sojourner, an American yacht completing an Atlantic Circle had a bit of a quiet entry into the marina (after all, it was close to 2am), Vagaris and Thalassa, who arrived just after dinner time, received the best of what makes the ARC fleet great.
Vagaris was to be berthed on the inside of D pontoon, which is a fairly long way from the entrance to Rodney Bay Marina. Since it was dark, the way seems even longer. But, on the other hand, there’s more opportunity for those already berthed to create a welcome ruckus. As Vagaris meandered around the back side of the marina, once one boat on the end of E pontoon noticed their entrance, one horn sounded followed by many others, until a cacophony of cheers, airhorns, sirens and lights were flashing all around the docks. In a good way.
“What a welcoming party!” one crew of Vagaris shouted as they finally hit the dock, nearly in tears. At least 30 people lined the D pontoon as Vagaris tied their docklines and stepped off onto dry land for the first time in three weeks. Someone popped a champagne cork and the crowd began clapping and cheering, a hearty welcome indeed for the Allures aluminum yacht and her crew.
Not an hour later, Thalassa, a Swedish-flagged boat, made a similar entrance when they were berthed on C pontoon. The noise was enough to make folks not in the know wonder what was going on.
So as the yachts still at sea start to get closer to Saint Lucia, the crews are undoubtedly getting ready for that cold rum punch and hot shower. And while it might seem boring to be towards the back of the fleet, at least they have that raucous welcome to look forward to, something even record-breaker’s Leopard of Finland, for all their success, can’t say.