The World ARC fleet restarted today off the breakwater at HMAS Coonawarra Naval Base, in the approaches to the Port of Darwin. The conditions at sunrise were not ideal and there appeared to be not even a whisper of wind. However, the winds built during the morning and the conditions at the start pushed the participants well on their way to their next destination of Bali. There was a tight grouping of yachts at the lower end of the line, just timing it right with the assistance of the tide and the wind, to get away promptly.

The tour to the Litchfield Park run today with 25 World ARC participants. The rushing waters and rugged vistas that made life difficult for the early miners, loggers, and graziers now provide a focus for the Park and a highlight for visitors. Participants had the opportunity to swim in the pools and waterfalls, relax and explore the National Park that covers an area of approximately 1500 km2.

It has been a busy couple of days as the World ARC fleet complete Leg 13 of the Rally and make themselves at home in the Port of Darwin. The sailing conditions on the leg were reported as excellent and the average passage time was very quick with very little motoring. The first boat across the finish line was Grand Filou 2, skippered by Richie Fearon, with a passage time of 3 days 22 hrs at sea. Very close behind was the Oyster 55, A Lady. Since arriving, the crews have begun to settle into the marinas in Darwin and explore what Australia’s Top End has to offer.

Whilst even the leaders of the World ARC fleet on Leg 13 still have over 24 hrs until they reach Darwin, all is set for a great stopover in this capital city of Australia’s Northern Territory. Whilst there will be a few duties to complete the on arrival, the fleet will still have plenty of time to explore the city, take in the Darwin festival and visit further inland to the Litchfield and Kakadu National Parks.

World ARC restarted from Thursday Island today to make the 840 nautical mile passage to their next port of call, in Darwin, in Australia’s New Territory. The route will take the fleet in an almost due west track across the Gulf of Carpentaria from the infamous Torres Straits. Having sailed around Australia’s ‘Top End’, the fleet will negotiate their way into Darwin, most likely during the middle of next week.

During the last few days, the World ARC fleet have been leaving Mackay to head north through the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. The crew's ultimate destination is Thursday Island, at the top of Australia, for a Rally rendezvous on 18 August. However, there is little rush and the skippers are taking their time to explore the islands, including the Whitsundays group. The Whitsundays lie midway along Australia's Queensland coast and are fringed by the Great Barrier Reef which should protect the Coral Sea and the 74 islands of the Whitsunday Group from the open ocean.

The official half way point in World ARC 2010/11 was celebrated last night with a fantastic prizegiving and cocktail party at the prestigious Clarion Hotel in Mackay Marina, hosted by Mackay Tourist Board and Mackay Marina Village.

David Phillips, Head of Mackay Tourist Board, and Councillor Dave Perkins of Mackay Regional Council, welcomed the participants...

Last night, the World ARC team organized an informal barbecue at the friendly Mackay Yacht Club for all the participants. After mingling with local sailors at the Club’s Happy Hour, the crews moved downstairs for a slap up Aussie-style feed cooked by Yacht Club staff.

The first few yachts started to arrive in Mackay, Australia, late night after a windy 1200 mile crossing from Vanuatu. Their arrival in Australia marks a significant achievement for the fleet, as they officially complete their crossing of the world's largest body of water, the Pacific Ocean, after heading away from the shores of Ecuador, South America, some five months ago.

At noon today, the World ARC fleet had good start conditions as they departed Port Vila, Vanuatu for their next stopover in Mackay, Australia. The restart marked the end of a successful and enjoyable stopover in Vanuatu which included visits to the island of Tanna in the south and then Efate. The fleet has spent the last few days at the berthings of Yachting World and have been hosted by the Vanuatu Cruising Yacht Club. If fact, the Commodore of the VCYC provided the committee boat upon which were also hosted representatives from the Vanuatu Tourism Organisation.

Tonight the World ARC participants enjoyed a splendid dinner and dance at the Waterfront Restaurant in Port Vila sponsored by World Cruising Club. Following welcome drinks by the waters edge as the sun was setting, participants watched a spectacle of local traditional dance, organised by the Vanuatu Tourist Organisation. After a splendid three course meal, prizes were awarded for Leg 10 of the Rally for the relatively short sail between Fiji and Tanna. And at the end of the evening the floor was open to dance to night away…

Following a busy day of arrivals yesterday, Sunday has been a more relaxing day for the World ARC fleet staying in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Like many countries which the fleet has visited in recent months, there are very few shops and facilities open on a Sunday and this induces respite for even the most restless of the crews. For some however, being alongside the dock in Port Vila gives access to water and electricity and a stable platform to catch up on all those boat jobs. A few crew members also joined in with the Vanuatu Cruising Yacht Club Sunday race.

The World ARC fleet were today invited to a traditional welcome ceremony at the village in Port Resolution. As the crews came ashore they were greeted with traditional singing and dancing and then led on into the village. The fleet offered practical gifts to the villagers and in return they received palm baskets of fruit and produce and woven bags. The day concluded with a traditional feast of local food at the Port Resolution Yacht Club.

Most of the World ARC fleet are now comfortably at anchor in Port Resolution Bay in Tanna, Vanuatu, enjoying a busy programme of exploration of the island’s landscapes and visiting the local population. All the participants took a visit up the active volcano Mount Yasur and many have also eaten with families in the village nearby.

After a relatively short sail from Musket Cove Resort in Fiji, almost all the World ARC fleet have now arrived in Port Resolution on the island of Tanna, Vanuatu. The fleet began making landfall at first light this morning and arrivals have continued throughout the day. By late afternoon, there were only two yachts still to arrive from the fleet, which started their passage on Saturday.

In great starting conditions, the World ARC fleet today began the next leg of their circumnavigation; a relatively short 450 nautical mile passage from Fiji to the island of Tanna in Vanuatu. There was a good 15-20 knot breeze blowing down through the start line and so the fleet got off to a very quick start.

Navigating within the reefs of some of the Fijian island can be tricky but the starting area, line and course beginning were extremely well marked, thanks to the assistance of Musket Cove Marina. The fleet crossed the line at 1100 hrs and were lead safely away. There was a number of other boats who came to watch the fleet depart and it was a great spectacle to watch and take part in.

The World ARC fleet had a very enjoyable day today at Musket Cove Resort with the fleet undertaking a mixture of activities. In-between preparations for the next leg, some crews got together for a game of golf, whilst others took a stroll around the resort, or a windsurfing lesson or took a dive boat for a snorkelling or scuba trip to the outer reef. This afternoon the whole fleet got together for a series of games on the beach followed this evening, with participants sitting down to a wonderful 3 course meals.

The majority of the World ARC fleet have now arrived at the marina of Musket Cove Resort on Malolo Leilei Island, Fiji. The whole fleet are all berthed alongside the Yacht Club’s pontoon and are enjoying catching up on the last few weeks of free cruising around Tonga & Fiji and enjoying all the facilities and services which the Resort has to offer. This evening the Resort hosted a cocktail party for all the crews  after which most enjoyed a BBQ - Fiji Style!

The World ARC fleet are currently enjoying a fantastic time exploring the Tongan island group of Vava’u. The fleet have weaved a web over the World ARC positions display, as they visit the islands and outlying resorts of the group. They have enjoyed snorkelling, diving, pleasant meals ashore or simply the peace and quiet.

With 23 boats now moored in Vava’u, Tonga, the World ARC Prizegiving Party took place at the Mango’s Cafe tonight. The last time the fleet was together in such numbers was in Papeete in French Polynesia. So, it is very pleasant to see that everyone made an effort to catch up in Vava’u for the World ARC party!