Meet the crews of ARC 2014

17 November 2014

It’s week two of the ARC programme in Las Palmas and it’s all systems go. Every crew here has a story to tell about why they are sailing with the rally and their future cruising aspirations. On the docks today, we caught up with a selection of sailors on board who shared their stories about what has brought them to Las Palmas. 

After the excitement of the official Opening Ceremony, it’s now down to the final week of preparation. Crews are flying in to join their boats and press from around the world will also be arriving throughout the week to report the build-up to the 29th ARC.

Round the world aspirations?

Mervyn Gutteridge of the British Oyster 56, El Mundo (

GBR) is a great fan of the ARC and is taking part for the second time: “I think the ARC provides a great safety net and also offers a lot of good information and assistance. The social side is also very important. We took part three years ago on a different boat and bought El Mundo in June, so this will be her first crossing,” explains El Mundo’s owner.

“We are planning to spend a year in the Caribbean, or at least the winter months and we may join the World ARC in January 2016. We are not sure yet, but that would be a nice thing to aspire to. We are being a little more selective about which seminars we go to and are trying to fit them in with all the preparation for the boat. The main thing that we are getting so much value from is the trade service agents that are here and supporting us. Oyster does a fantastic job for instance, but we have had various other trade representatives on board helping us to tune the boat.

“We are looking forward to the rum punch on arrival and love Saint Lucia. We’ve been there on several occasions and are really looking to going back again.”

A lifelong memory

With six other Norwegian boats in the fleet, Per Erik & Kristin Berg from Drummond, near Oslo will be in good company with their year-old Jeanneau 54, The Pearl (NOR). The couple sailed to Las Palmas double handed but will be joined by five other sailing friends for their first Atlantic crossing.

Owner, Per Erik says: “We have been planning this trip for 18 months, so we are really looking forward to getting out on the ocean now. This will be a really special occasion for us as during the planning, my wife found out she had cancer. After successful treatment, we decided to continue with our plans to take part in the ARC and so this adventure is even more important for us. I hope it will be a comfortable crossing for everyone, but I think it is something we will remember forever. After Christmas, we will cruise again, just the two of us for the winter, before heading home in spring next year.”

Kristen says: “Our friends and family were worried about us doing this at the start, but now they are proud of us and will join us in the Caribbean.”

First ARC for three sailing friends

Cumbrian sailor, David Caldow will be competing in his first ever ARC in his much loved Hallberg Rassy 39, Anika (GBR): “I have wondered for many years if I was capable of crossing an ocean,” says David whose previous cruising includes trips to the Irish Sea; from Anglesey up to the West coast of Scotland where he keeps his boat in Largs and to the Inner and Outer Hebrides, Southern Ireland, Scillies and Brittany.

“I’ve had the urge for very many years to sail across the Atlantic and I said to myself if I don’t do it now, I might never. I will be joined by my New Zealand pal, Simon Ferguson who I’ve sailed with for too many years to mention, and we have an Irishman, Richard Harshaw arriving to make up the third man. He’s already completed three transatlantics. I have no plans once we get to the Saint Lucia. All I want to do is make sure I’ve done an ocean crossing and then whatever follows that.


“We did a huge amount of preparation before we left home with the idea that when we got to Las Palmas, we could really enjoy it. We’ve met lots of other crews, especially lots of Swedes and some sailors who kept their boat in Conway in North Wales where I used to keep one of my boats. It’s been great meeting just a lovely eclectic bunch of people. The Opening Ceremony was really good and made me realise that the clock is ticking and that we are actually going to cross the Atlantic. We are now starting to pay more attention to forecasts!”

Anika’s owner praised his boat and the benefit of having representatives from several of the boat manufacturers here in Las Palmas before the start: “This morning we had a clean bill of health from the Hallberg Rassy representative who was on the boat to do a pre-start check on the steering, chain plates and engine. It’s one of the joys of owning a Rassy. They are well made, solid boats built for ocean passages. The admiration that the yacht gets, the quality of its build and reputation is huge and it’s justified. Our boat looks after us, but then again, I look after her. My wife did say to me one day, ‘Anika might be your mistress and it’s the only one you can afford!’.”

Sailing veterans

With an average age of 67 years young, Essex sailor, David Barber of the Starlight 39, Rhumb is keen to point out that his boat is not named after the delicious welcome drink they will receive on arrival in St Lucia… His yacht usually resides in Ipswich, Suffolk but the crew has already sailed thousands of miles together and is comprised of longterm sailing buddies, including Brian Alderson who has previously sailed twice in the ARC. 

David Barber has owned his boat for four years and is keen to point out that one of his crew members has more experience than the whole team put together! Ex-paratrooper, Leonard Robertson has sailed round the world with veteran ocean adventurer, Sir Chay Blyth, competing in the 1973-74 Whitbread Round the World Race in Great Britain II, a boat built by the team of paratroopers! At the time he had some sailing experience but was told by Blyth before the first leg: ‘It is 6,500 miles to Cape Town and if you can’t sail by the time you get there, you won’t at all.’ The team went on to complete the fastest time and was first boat home.

“After around 20-21 days at sea, we are looking forward to the first rum punch when we get to Saint Lucia. The boat is going to stay in the Caribbean for 18 months before we sail back in the spring of 2016 with the ARC. Expect to take 20-21 days. We might do better than that but we don’t want to get our hopes up too much.”

“We passed our safety equipment check first time and are very well prepared. We have found the ARC an absolutely superb organisation so far and the team has been very helpful. I’ve had to call up with stupid questions half a dozen times and they’ve always given me sensible answers. This is my third ARC and the organisation is always good,” explains Alderson.