Chris Doyle has been cruising the Caribbean for over 40 years. His guidebooks, covering every destination from the BVI’s to Trinidad, have become standard on cruising boats. On Wednesday morning, ARC participants gathered to hear Chris’ presentation.

When Gill’s Atlantic Offshore range was ready for re-development in 2008 they turned to the participants of the ARC for their views on what was needed in offshore clothing. Their designers sent out a detailed questionnaire to the participants with wide ranging questions about colour, style and features.

Meet the team working hard to produce the daily ARC weather forecasts

World Cruising Club’s 2009 Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) has partnered with Sailing Weather Service (SWS) to help sailors enjoy a safe, competitive, and fun trip from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Rodney Bay in St. Lucia. The starting gun for the ARC fired on the 22 of November and the event continues through late December. SWS meteorologist Matt Sanders serves a lead forecaster by monitoring weather conditions and providing daily weather forecasts to the fleet of competitors.

See the start of ARC 2009 as seen from the start vessel and the on water press boats, plus links to unofficial ARC videos.

The tradition of yachts leaving their ‘mark’ on the white-washed walls of Las Palmas marina before an Atlantic crossing has been around for many years. However, now that the marina has received a facelift, there is more space for the ARC crews to prepare their masterpieces.

After the start tomorrow, thoughts will be turning towards what to expect on arrival in one of the most striking islands in the Caribbean – St Lucia. Once passing the finish line off Pigeon Island, yachts make their way through the entrance to Rodney Bay Marina where they will be docked during their stay. As well as the infamous rum punch welcome for every yacht at any time of day or night, crews can expect a huge Caribbean welcome and packed ARC Programme.

There are many stages to complete before anyone taking part in the ARC finally makes it to the startline in Gran Canaria. First the initial decision has to be made to compete in the event and then once all the paperwork and admin has been completed and the boat is in Las Palmas ready for the start, the dream of making an Atlantic crossing actually becomes a reality. For some, this reality is harder to achieve than most.

The ARC has something for everyone and attracts a huge variety of yachts and sailors from many walks of life. From the outset in 1986, as a fun cruising rally, this unique event has developed its own special character. Over the past 23 years many friendships have been forged in the relaxed atmosphere, and the profound sense of camaraderie has become the hallmark of this very special rally that entices people back year after year.

18 yachts will sail the Atlantic double-handed this year: A Small Nest, Ashia, Bradamante, Brindabella, Cantana, Ciao, Cisa,Fair Encounter, Grand Filou 2, Gwendoline, Heimkehr VII, Jan Momo, Le Livernois, Ranja, Su An, Thor VI, Tina Ti and Vento.

Trotz Finanzkrise und unsicherer Stimmung im Land, lassen es sich die deutschen Segler nicht nehmen, sich den Traum vom Blauwassersegeln zu erfüllen. Zusammen mit den Schweizer und Österreicher Booten kommt die Anzahl von deutschsprachigen ARC-Teilnehmern auf stattliche 41 Boote, die zweitgrößte Gruppe nach den Briten.

Official ARC 'rig-man' - Jerry 'the rigger' Henwood is probably the most popular man in Las Palmas for the two weeks before the start of the ARC.

Following an extremely successful trial of Yellowbrick Adventure Tracking, fitting Iridium trackers to yachts sailing across the Bay of Biscay on Rally Portugal, World Cruising Club will fit tracking units to the ARC Racing and Invitation Racing Divisions this year. The previous once daily position reporting will be replaced by automatic reports at a more frequent interval, likely to be 6 hourly. This greatly enhances the experience for family and friends following the yachts who get a better feel for the real progress of the yachts racing across the Atlantic.

Gran Canaria first became popular as a tourist destination in the mid-19th Century when it was established as a free port, with tax exemptions and facilities for free trade. Thus Gran Canaria gained popularity in European circles as a place of rest for tourists and the infirm, encouraged by its year-round “Spring” climate. Shipping companies soon took advantage of this popularity by installing passenger accommodation in their ships and building the first hotels on the Island.

Much has changed since then, so why not take a longer look at Gran Canaria and its captila - Las Palmas?