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INTRODUCTION
This annual transatlantic rally starting each November in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, has now become the most popular way to cross the Atlantic. The largest transocean sailing event in the world, every year the ARC brings together over 200 yachts from all over the world. The Caribbean destination is Rodney Bay in St.Lucia, one of the most beautiful islands in the Lesser Antilles. The 2700 nautical mile passage on the NE tradewind route takes on average between 14 and 21 days.

Conceived as a friendly race for cruising yachts to make the Atlantic crossing both safer and more enjoyable, participating yachts must carry a range of safety equipment including a liferaft, EPIRB and VHF radio. Daily radio nets contribute further to the safety of participants. The presence of experienced sailors is another incentive for those with little offshore experience.

The ARC has a special flavour, which successfully combines racers with cruisers, old with young, and provides entertainment for all. A wide ranging programme of entertainment takes place both before the start and after the finish. The ARC enjoys the support of the Tourist Authority of Gran Canaria, the Port Authority of Las Palmas, Rol Nautic and the St.Lucia Board of Tourism.

KEY DETAILS

• The ARC departs from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and crosses to Rodney Bay, St.Lucia on the following dates:

ARC 2010 21 November
ARC 2011 20 November

• The ARC is open to cruising monohulls with a minimum length of 8.23-25.91m (27 to 85ft) and cruising catamarans from 8.23 - 18.29m (27 to 60 ft) LOA. Yachts outside these sizes may be permitted to join in the Open Division.
• The competitive side of the event will be catered for by the Racing Division, rated under the IRC Handicap System, run under the auspices of the Royal Ocean Racing Club.
• The World Cruising handicap is used to calculate results in the cruising classes, in which motoring is permitted.
• A full programme of social activities, safety seminars and demonstrations will be organised by World Cruising Club in Las Palmas prior to the start, and after the finish in St.Lucia.
• Confirmed entrants receive regular newsletters about the ARC, containing useful information about planning an Atlantic crossing, updates on entries and safety tips.

TO ENTER OR ENQUIRE

• Use our ON-LINE ENQUIRY form to register your interest and we will mail you the ARC information pack .
• Download the ARC2009 Entry Form in English (PDF, 290KB), including safety equipment requirements and conditions of entry.

ENTRY LIST - rally entries, updated every Friday

POSITIONS - fleet positions

PREPARATIONS & TRAINING
Good preparation is essential for a safe crossing. For the ARC, there is a minimum skipper and crew training requirement, and certain safety and communications equipment must be carried. World Cruising Club organise a series of seminars and training courses to help skippers and crews prepare for the rally. Hamble School of Yachting can also assist with a variety of training courses. Further training resources and links are given in the participants forum and in our Safety at Sea forum. Each participating yacht is required to carry certain safety equipment. Additionally, each yacht must be fitted with a communications system capable of sending a position report to worldcruising.net Further details of the which communications equipment systems comply are given here. It is strongly recommended that yachts are also fitted with SSB radio to enable participation in the daily Radio Net during the crossing.

PORTS OF CALL
Gran Canaria - Start Venue for the ARC:
From the green seas of banana plantations along the northern coast to the lush gorges and pine forested mountains of the interior and the white sand dunes of Maspalomas in the south, it is easy to see why the diversity of Gran Canaria led to it being called "a continent in miniature". The rugged western coast has deep valleys forming tropical enclaves and small towns which retain a tranquil rustic air, so that it is hard to remember that the busy metropolis of Las Palmas is only a few kilometres away.

It is the all year round sunshine and sandy beaches of the south of the island which have lured North European visitors to these shores in their millions and in the last thirty years the coastal area has been transformed. From the Playa de San Agustin and Playa del Ingles to Maspalomas, large complexes of hotels, apartment blocks, villas and their attendant facilities have been built to cater for this influx.

Las Palmas, the start venue for the ARC, is a modern bustling city, which has grown up around one of the busiest ports of Spain. The yacht marina lies at the southern end of the main harbour, halfway between the Vegueta and the Parque Santa Catalina. The pleasure port has been upgraded in recent years, with more pontoons being installed, new shower blocks and in 1996 a floating breakwater to add to its protection. The ARC has played its role in this improvement and the port authority acknowledged this by building a permanent office for the ARC at the southern end of the marina. The fifth ARC was marked by planting palm trees and the whole port has flourished with palms since then, living up to its name.

To learn more about the Canary Islands, in English, German or Spanish, visit the Canary Islands Website at www.grancanaria.com . To learn more about what's on in Las Palmas visit the Ayuntamiento website at
www.promocionlaspalmas.com (Spanish site only).


St.Lucia - Finish Destination for the ARC:
St Lucia is known as Helen of the Caribbean being one of the Caribbean's most beautiful islands, with the rising volcanic peaks of the Grand and Petit Pitons, and landlocked Marigot Bay where a British naval fleet reputedly hid from the French at the time of the Napoleonic wars. The rule of St Lucia was disputed by the French and British until the latter established their claim in 1814. Independence was gained in 1979. St Lucia's culture is a unique mix of French, English and African influences, the French influence marked in the local patois and many of the place names.

Rodney Bay, on St Lucia's northern extremity, is the island's main yachting centre and landfall of all World Cruising's transatlantic events. Sailors are always warmly welcomed at Rodney Bay Marina which has a wide range of facilities and is located in a well-protected lagoon.

For more information on St.Lucia, its colourful history, exotic landscape and useful travel tips, visit the St.Lucia Tourist Board website. http://www.stlucia.org/

For more information about Rodney Bay Marina in St.Lucia visit their website.