The World ARC 2014-15 crews sat down to a poolside supper last night in the grounds of Port Louis Marina, Grenada. The evening marked the official gathering together of the fleet before boats disperse for their own free-cruising in Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Saint Lucia. The Caribbean rains held off and it was a great get-together in a nice atmosphere.
The crews were also joined by local World ARC supporters in Grenada, representing the Ministry of Tourism, the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA), Port Louis Marina and the Marine and Yachting Association of Grenada (MAYAG). Representatives of some of these organisations helped welcome the fleet to Grenada. Senator Brenda Hood, the Minister for Culture and Heritage, represented the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, who was away on international business, to formally welcome the fleet to Grenada. Nisha MacIntyre from the Grenada Tourism Authourity and Danny Donelan from Port Louis Marina also gave their own welcomes and extended an invitation to return to Grenadian shores in the future.
The last sailing leg from Brazil did not involve many boats and so the regular Prize Giving element to the evening also including the giving of gifts from the GTA and Island Water World, a local sponsor and chandelry supplier. Congratulations to Civetta II and Boingo Alive who were the winners of their class and who each walked away with a prize of Westerhall Rum. World ARC Event Manager Paul Tetlow presented a framed event poster, signed by the crews, to Nisha to mark the support of the GTA and also to Glynn Thomas, General Manger of Port Louis Marina. Paul also present a framed poster to Pancy Cross, Executive Director of the Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association, a trade body, who also provide valuable support to World ARC in Grenada.
With a poolside venue, the inevitable happened! And for some the evening was a wet and very late night. But, as planned, crews met for a tour of the island this morning, to see and hear more about the Grenada – The Spice Island.