Only a few days into the new year, and already 135 boats are entered in ARC2012.  The smallest boat so far is Wolfgang Vandrey's Contest 28 Quetzal (GER), and the largest is Italian Swan 80 Berenice, line honours winner in ARC2010.  There are already 17 catamarans registered - will we beat 2011's record of 30 catamarans?

To join ARC2012, click here

The photo shows the crew of Wight Knight of New York in ARC2011.

ARC 2011's prizegiving presentation was held at a packed house at the Gaiety Nightclub in Gros Islet. Prizes were given for the winners of each division and class, plus the special prizes that make the ARC unique. Full results to be posted online and outside the ARC office.

The last two boats to go nonstop from Las Palmas arrived in the early hours of Friday morning. 'Annie' received a raucous welcome from party-goers still awake following last night's costume party at Pigeon Island.

Photo shows 'Phaedo' crew dressed for the occasion.

Pied a Mer, the Belgian-flagged Elan Impression, has crossed the finish line and is berthed in Rodney Bay Marina. Four yachts still remain at sea, and the ARC staff and participants eagerly await their arrival.

Photo from the 2009 ARC Costume Party.

The ARC program comes to a close this weekend in St. Lucia, but the festivities are far from over. The IGY General Managers party kicked off the tail-end of the program last night in Rodney Bay with live music, dancers, food and drink. Chris Doyle talks this afternoon.

(Photo shows a clever sign made by Nostra Vida).

Nearly 200 yachts have taken the finish here in St. Lucia. For crews already here, the heat has been turned up on the island with the coming of fair weather (and a bit of breeze for those still at sea). The ARC programme continues tomorrow night with the General Managers Party at IGY Rodney Bar Marina. Chris Doyle's 'Cruising the Caribbean' talk is set for Wednesday.

Photo shows crew of 'Tur-Bo' enjoying a day at the dock.

Click to see a new video of some ARC kids in this year's event, sharing their thoughts on an Atlantic crossing.

To considerably fanfare, Tur-bo, the smallest yacht in ARC 2011 arrives into St. Lucia.

With over 140 ARC boats and around 750 crew now in Rodney Bay Marina, the atmosphere is really hotting up as celebrations run through the day and into the night to welcome the fleet to Saint Lucia.

Last night, local sponsors Digicel hosted the famous ‘ARC in the Park’ evening of outdoor live music which really kicked the weekend activities off in style, as locals mixed with ARC participants in the balmy Caribbean evening. The stage was filled with a variety of local music and acts, with participants even jumping up to join in with the dancers and get into the spirit.

The true ARC spirit is to be found in the cruising fleet - ordinary family boats sailed by ordinary people who go out of their way to help each other at sea.

Yesterday Clearlake II (GBR) came to the aid of Kotari (GBR), Brizo (USA) helped I'odl (FRA) and Summer Star (NOR) came to the aid of Hunny Pot (GBR).  Read on to find out what happened.

The picture shows the transfer of fuel between Clearlake II and Kotari.

Wednesday kicked off the start of the ARC programme in Saint Lucia. The Tourism Board hosted the annual welcome cocktail at the Royal by Rex Hotel in Rodney Bay. Nearly 100 boat crews were in attendance.

As the fleet continues to arrive, participants talk about life at sea.

All of those involved with the ARC were deeply saddened to learn this morning of the sudden death of Andrew Nash, crew member on Ocean Wanderer. In the early hours of Thursday morning, 8 December, Andrew suffered a suspected heart attack onboard the boat.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Andrew’s wife and family, and his crewmates aboard Ocean Wanderer. Andrew’s family have been informed.

Though the sun is shining on the recent arriving boats in St. Lucia this afternoon, the day began with heavy rain and wind - from the wrong direction.

Lancelot II and Cheeki Rafiki have just crossed the line, and received a very warm welcome on the dock. Meanwhile, the ARC office has begun collecting photos from the yachts currently arriving.

(Photo shows Vaquita flying downwind, from crewmember Martin Maier).

With a lot of the fleet stuck in the big wind hole around Saint Lucia, and the forecast not predicting the winds to fill-in for the next day or two, crews have been honing their light-winds sailing techniques.  To add 'insult to injury', what wind there is is westerly in direction, so boats are beating for the first time in the crossing.
One of the benefits of closing land is the re-appearance of dolphins - Glass Slipper (USA) reported over 50 dancing around the boat at one time.
Despite the light winds around the island, over one third of the fleet are now in Rodney Bay!

The photo shows Jakob and Axel on Perle (NOR) enjoying the light winds!

Während fast 50 Yachten aus der Regattagruppe und der Gruppe der großen Yachten schon in Rodney Bay Marina angekommen sind, feiert der Rest der Flotte den Nikolaustag auf See.

Only a day and a half after the Oyster Lightwave 48 Scarlet Oyster (GBR) rounded Pigeon Island at 9 knots, the wind has fully shut off and boats are drifting (or motoring) across the finish line. Lone Star, an American-flagged Amel 54 ketch, didn't seem to mind, however, and were thrilled to be here, having completed ARC 2011. In Rodney Bay Marina, the fleet continues to grow.

Nineteen cruising division boats have now finished, and another eight are due to finish today (Tuesday) and 21 on Wednesday, wind and motoring depending.  That should keep the Saint Lucia ARC team busy!

After time at sea, landfall is always popular - one of the finishers, Twelve Moons, changed their name to 'Twelve Beers' in their log!

The picture shows Polish catamaran Sta Maria finishing on Monday morning.  Photo www.photoaction.com 

The majority of the ARC2011 fleet are still at sea, slowly reducing the miles to Saint Lucia.  The boats towards the front of the fleet are experiencing the light winds of the 'hole' around the Caribbean, while those further back are still enjoying light-moderate tradewinds with classic squalls.

The quote of the day comes from Heather on Matilda (GBR):   "The plus side was it was a breathtaking evening and the memory of the parasail against the moonlight on a silver sea will be one that will stay with me for a very long time."

The photo shows gentle downwind sailing for Ensemble (AUS).

After nearly two weeks at sea, less than two minutes separated the X-612 Nix (NED) and the Swan 82 Acool Turabi (GRE) at the finish line. The crew of Nix ultimately got the better of the bigger Swan, and was in a festive mood on their arrival into Rodney Bay Marina.