As usual, the ARC Fancy Dress Party at the Sotovento Club turned out to be the craziest party of them all last night. Everyone really making a huge effort with imaginative costumes based on the ‘Children’s TV’ theme.

The 31 children in the ARC are having a great time all together on the family pontoon. Making new friends from around the world is all part of the fun of the rally. Some have joined in the children’s club each morning, but today the excitement is building for the party of the week - the ARC 2009 Costume Party. Based around ‘Children’s Television’, there should be some very interesting interpretations of the theme at the coolest party of them all, which kicks off tonight at the Sotovento Club in the marina.

The forecast mentioned the possibility of some rain this morning to clear the humid conditions over the past couple of days, but when the skies darkened and the rain came down in torrents, we were hoping ARC crews would grab their oilskins and still make their way to the Santa Catalina Hotel for the start of another busy week of seminars. Luckily, the downpour did not last long and Jerry ‘the rigger’ Henwood’s lecture got underway as planned. Jerry is already a familiar face around the marina offering advice and rig inspections to some of the participants.

The sunshine is out and with hot and humid conditions in Las Palmas, it’s the start of the final week before the ARC yachts depart for St Lucia. With 185 boats now docked in the marina, there are only 31 still to arrive. This is a very busy week in the build up to the start of the 24th ARC. Over the weekend, many crews flew in to join their boats in order to help with preparations and enjoy the fantastic social programme on offer.

ARC Officially Opened - Flags Hoisted from All the Nations

The Official Opening Ceremony for ARC 2009 took place today as hundreds of ARC crew members from the 216 boats taking part in the Rally followed flag bearers representing each of the 33 nations entered in this year’s event. Crews joined the procession as it made its way around the marina with a grand parade starting from the northern end of the marina led by the Banda Gran Canaria marching band.

Crew from the 120 yachts which have so far arrived in Las Palmas have been able to enjoy a host of parties and events in the first week of the ARC.

For the early arrivals Rolnautic, the yacht chandlers here in the Muelle Deportivo, hosted the first party of ARC2009, the official Welcome Party in the Vela Latina dock.  ARC participants had the chance to meet, enjoy some drinks and tapas and dance the night away to a swinging rock 'n roll band.

The 24th edition of the world-famous annual transatlantic rally, the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) has defied the economic doom and gloom and 216 yachts will head off from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on 22nd November 2009 en route to Rodney Bay in Saint Lucia. Not only is there a distinctly healthy entry number, but there is also a record 32 nations represented in this year’s event, underlining the fact that the ARC is now an international event and the most popular way to sail across the Atlantic. The 2,700 nautical mile passage on the NE trade wind route takes the fleet, on average, between 14 and 21 days to reach its destination and the finish line.

Learn from the Cruising Experts at the Atlantic Circuit Forum. Our panel of experts will discuss the planning and preparation required for an Atlantic Circuit, with special emphasis on the ARC and what to expect in terms of weather and equipment issues. Entry costs £10 and includes a free entry ticket for the London Boat Show 2010 (collected at the forum).

World Cruising Club, the cruising rally specialists best known for the popular transatlantic sailing event the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), has now opened its entry lists for a host of 2010 events including ARC Europe, Rally Portugal and the ARC. Interest is already high and all events are expected to fill up quickly.

In a significant new development for 2010, yachts in all World Cruising Club offshore rallies from June 2010 will carry satellite tracking units, capable of automatically reporting the yachts’ positions, anywhere in the world.

Click here to enter online or register your enquiry.

 Entries have now closed for this year’s Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), the 24th edition of this world-famous annual transatlantic rally that has defied the economic doom and gloom yet again. The Rally organisers, World Cruising Club, have now opened a waiting list after accepting 225 entries for the 2009 rally.

The final event of the ARC is the most anticipated. Why? Well, it's the evening the results are announced (as well as a huge farewell party).  And, with this year's ARC characterised by days of light airs, the pre-results chatter suggested there were going to be a few surprises.  ARC 2008 brought out the best in the crews' ability to make tactical sailing, weather, and routing decisions.  So, who were the winners?