Interest in the 25th edition of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) has been ‘astonishing’ say the event organisers, Cowes based World Cruising Club. The popular transatlantic cruising rally achieved its 200th entry today, almost three months ahead of previous years.

Commenting on the popularity of the 25th ARC, Managing Director of World Cruising Club, Andrew Bishop, said: “In its 25 year history, the ARC has become the “must-do” event on the cruising calendar, however interest in the ARC 2010 has been truly astonishing and we have already welcomed our 200th entry. I urge any owners interested for 2010 to contact us whilst we still have places available.”

Since its inception in 1986 thousands of cruising enthusiasts have enjoyed crossing the Atlantic with the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC). This year, the 25th edition of the ARC is no exception, with entries racing ahead of previous years. Already, with 9 months before the start of ARC 2010, organisers World Cruising Club have 150 confirmed entries. Due to space restrictions in Las Palmas marina at the start of the rally, ARC 2010 currently has an upper limit of 215 yachts, which is likely to be reached in April.

Last night (19th December 2009) the last ARC yacht, Erasmos I, arrived in St. Lucia, bringing ARC 2009 to a close with enthusiastic pontoon-side celebrations and camaraderie that have defined this year’s event.

There's a festive atmosphere around Rodney Bay Marina, as the Saint Lucians are enjoying their National Day holiday, and the last of the ARC boats are scheduled to arrive tonight and tomorrow. Erasmos, who got delayed at the start, is due at the weekend.

ARC Boat number 227 Silver Bear has just arrived in St Lucia to a hugely well-deserved reception from dozens of respectful ARC participants.

Over the last week and a half we’ve seen nearly 200 yachts arrive here in Rodney Bay Marina, and there are still a few more to come. As the day dawned on Sunday 13 December, St. Lucia’s ‘National Day,’ three more yachts arrived in Rodney Bay Marina after having been at sea now for over 20 days.

Pigeon Island and the waters of Rodney Bay provided the spectacular backdrop to the Caribbean beach setting as the venue for the welcome party at the Rex Royal St Lucian Hotel hosted by the Saint Lucia Tourist Board last night.

The partying is now in full swing in Rodney Bay as just over a third of the ARC 2009 fleet have now arrived.

After the excitement caused by the first arrivals subsides, it is worth reflecting that there are still almost 200 yachts still at sea. For them, the daily rhythm of life at sea continues. Here are some log extracts, which help paint a picture of life aboard the ARC yachts during the last 24 hours.

Just 16 minutes separate the first two arrivals!

After a course distance of 2,700 miles and almost twelve days at sea just 16 minutes and 5 seconds separated the first two yachts to cross the finish line in Rodney Bay, St. Lucia. Both skippers of the Volvo 60 Big One and the Wally 80 Bagheera enthused about the exciting gybing duel, particularly over the last 24 hours. Every few hours the boats would meet and then gybe apart, Big One staying north whilst Bagheera went south. In the end it was the final gybe that decided the first to finish with Big One on a better angle to take advantage of the wind shift they experienced as they closed Martinique and then St.Lucia.

Bagheera and Big One neck and neck as they close on the finish line

Having played ‘tag’ all the way across the Atlantic, the ‘big three’ boats leading the pack to St.Lucia are now on their final run home. There won’t be a new course record this year, so now it is a fight for line honours as first yacht to arrive in ARC 2009.

With many boats now at the halfway mark, the ARC crews are experiencing the Atlantic trade winds at full force. These seasonal winds blow steadily from Africa to the Caribbean from December onwards, and are the reason the ARC crosses now. However, the relentless force of the trade winds never fails to surprise those on their first crossing and today’s logs show that the ocean is proving as hard a mistress as ever.

The five crew members of British yacht Pelican were evacuated from onboard their 53 foot Roberts design last last night (Tuesday 01 December) following a rig failure, approximately 300 nautical miles west of the Cape Verde Islands. The Singapore flagged merchant vessel Crimson Mars diverted to assist the yacht at the request of MRCC Falmouth, after skipper Darryl Saxton called a MayDay yesterday afternoon citing the 'unacceptable risk to his crew' of remaining aboard, as the yacht was also unable to motor and the rig was considered to be in a dangerous condition following several failures. MRCC Falmouth and MRCC Ponta Delgada (Azores) were involved in co-ordinating the evacuation of the yacht with the merchant ship.

Three yachts in contention as front runners close on Saint Lucia

Consistent sailing is the key to a fast Atlantic passage and this is just what the front runners in the ARC 2009 RORC Racing Divisions have been doing since leaving Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on 22 November. The racing crew’s hard work has seen average daily runs over 260 nautical miles on the larger yachts, and now 3 boats are joined in a push for the finish line, with the potential of a new ARC record a tantalising prospect for the first boat home.

The ARC yacht Auliana II has been abandoned and the crew evacuated following the loss of the yacht’s rudder in the early hours of Monday morning.  Skipper Christian Potthoff-Sewing, from Bielefeld in Germany and his seven crew members were safely ashore in Arguineguin, Gran Canaria, late yesterday evening (23/11/2009) some 36 hours after taking the start of ARC 2009 in the IRC Racing Division.

The 24th Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) started in spectacular style today as 209 yachts from 30 nations sailed across the start line off Las Palmas de Gran Canaria headed for their final destination, 2,700 nautical miles away in Rodney Bay, St Lucia.

Mostly sunny skies and a light north-easterly breeze provided a picture perfect start for spectators on and off the water. After crossing the start line in light 8-10 knot conditions, a colourful display of spinnakers were hoisted to help the yachts on their way. Winds are forecast to increase to 18-23 knots and, with the Azores high strengthening today, crews can expect moderate trade wind conditions for the first part of their crossing.

A line of skipper’s began outside the ARC office early this morning. Each skipper has to complete check out formalities, bringing their own passports and those of each crew member on board.

It is a requirement that every yacht is represented at the Skipper’s Briefing which starts at midday. The comprehensive briefing provides information about the crossing including up-to-date weather briefing and instructions on the radio net.

It’s hard to describe the excitement, tension and atmosphere around the marina today as crews make their final preparations for their Atlantic crossing in less than two days.

Skippers and crews are gathered on the end of the northern marina breakwater ready for a morning of sea safety demonstrations with Hamble School of Yachting in conjunction with World Cruising Club’s safety team.