The Atlantic crossing with the ARC is often casually described by armchair sailors as “a milk run”; well for some ARC crews last night saw the milk well and truly churned as an area of concentrated rain and thunderstorms brought a wet and wild night for yachts in the middle of the fleet. The concentrated area of the weather system meant that yachts to the north or south enjoyed perfect conditions, whilst those coming through the middle, had a totally different night.

After the excitement of reaching half way has abated, crews are realising the true meaning of this milestone (ie: same again please). Consequently, as fresh fruit and meat rations start to run low, gear starts breaking and showing the strain of the miles and conversations are repeated, just a touch of madness starts setting in.

For many the milestone of reaching half way has brought on a reflective air; “Now that we are over half way, the mood is changing to ill disguised excitement at the prospect of our arrival. When you talk of the ARC, and crossing the Atlantic, in the pub after a couple of pints it all seems so easy, but nothing can prepare you for the shear enormity of the ocean. It just goes on and on and on, day in , day out” reflected the crew of OneTooMany.

With many boats having reached the 1000 mile mark today it also seems they have also entered the “battle zone”, where no one is safe from the deluge of flying fish.

For the second time in two days, a yacht participating in the annual Atlantic Rally for Cruisers – ARC 2007 – en route from Gran Canaria to St.Lucia, has been involved in a rescue at sea. Following yesterday’s rescue of migrants from the open ocean, today it was the turn of British yacht GiGi – a Swan 48, owned and sailed by Philip Wright (from Etton, UK) to rescue fellow sailors.

ARC Yachts Involved in Casualty Evacuation and Rescue of Migrants on the High Seas

On Day four of ARC 2007, event organisers World Cruising Club’s well rehearsed emergency plan was called into action following a serious accident onboard the Russian crewed Volvo 60 – AAG Big One. Crew member Alla Byazina, suffered extensive scolding in a gallery accident that occurred during a gybe, in the fast trade wind conditions. After assessing the situation, World Cruising Club contacted MRCC Falmouth, UK, who were able to relay medical advice to the yacht. The on-call doctor decided that an evacuation was required as Ms Byazina would best be treated in hospital.

After the excitement of Start day last Sunday with 235 yachts heading out to sea from Las Palmas, followed by the rough and tumble of strong trade winds, 3 metre swells and the infamous Canarian Wind Acceleration Zones, the last 24 hours has been a much calmer time for the ARC crews.

The 22nd Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) started in spectacular style today as 235 yachts from 28 different nations sailed across the start line off Las Palmas de Canaria headed for their final destination, 2,700 nautical miles away in Rodney Bay, St Lucia.

With a large swell running after two days of strong northerlies, the wind abated and the sun came out just in time for a perfect start. The fresh NNW 20 knot breeze meant fewer spinnakers that usual were to be seen on the start line. Winds are expected to remain from the north with tradewind conditions likely to remain, offering the prospect of a fast passage on the rhumb line route to St.Lucia.

Departure day looms and with less than 18 hours until the start, today was hectic for everyone involved. Skippers formed an orderly queue outside the ARC office early this morning in order to complete check out formalities. As a special dispensation, ARC yachts are allowed to clear out the day before departure. All skippers are required to attend the Skippers Briefing held at the Santa Catalina Hotel where a comprehensive briefing was held in a large conference room for the 234 skippers taking part in the 22nd edition of the regatta. Sailing Instructions, information about the crossing and an up-to-date weather briefing, as well as instructions on the radio net were given at the briefing.

It’s a busy time for most of the 1,200 crew preparing for the departure of the ARC, the world’s largest transocean event from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria to St Lucia. With 48 hours to go, only a handful of yachts are still to arrive in time for the start on Sunday 25th. Beating the 1999 record for entries by three boats, 237 yachts are expected to be on the mile long startline.

The ARC team were in disguise last night at the ‘Jungle Safari’ fancy dress party at the Johnnie Walker Terrace as jungle explorer Andrew Bishop and the World Cruising Club Tribe rid themselves of their trademark yellow shirts. ARC participants made a huge effort to prepare costumes in keeping with the theme for one of the most popular parties of the week. Bodies swathed in animal print fur fabric seemed very popular and more than one Tarzan was spotted swinging through the jungle vines!

The ARC Shop and Information Point has been busy today selling merchandise and our team, which includes Regine Fauré who has been working with the event since its inception, has been hectic answering a huge variety of questions and offer local advice. The docksides are now bustling with activity as new crew members arrive and provisions for the crossing are loaded on board. Deliveries of water, food and other goods from supermarkets and the local fruit and vegetable market are making a colourful and busy spectacle when wandering around the marina.

It is the start of the second week in Las Palmas and shoreside activities continued today with a packed programme of workshops and seminars held in the Salon Palmeras in the Hotel Santa Catalina. Jerry ‘the Rigger’ Henwood who has been in Las Palmas to help ARC participants with pre-ARC rig checks and surveys, held an educational seminar this morning. Several companies provide technical support in Las Palmas and this year representatives include: Raymarine, Schenker Watermakers and Lewmar. Top tips and advice on how to prepare for the crossing includes vital checks and constant vigilance at sea to help prevent problems.

The Official Opening Ceremony for ARC 2007 took place today as hundreds of ARC participants from the 225 boats already docked in the marina followed flag bearers from 28 nations representing the countries of the yachts taking part 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 Vitamina marching band.

Last night ARC crews enjoyed a real Canarian welcome from the Ayuntamiento de Las Palmas (City of Las Palmas), who hosted a wonderful party in the courtyard setting of the Pueblo Canario. Andrew Bishop thanked the Ayuntamiento and in particular Sr Adai Ruiz, Concejal del Ayuntamiento de Las Palmas on behalf of all the participants for this wonderful hospitality.

World Cruising Club’s Managing Director, Andrew Bishop launched the 22nd ARC to a gathering of local media today, including reporters from Canarian television, newspaper and radio stations. He confirmed that this year’s event will set a new record with 242 participating yachts and proving that the ARC continues to be the most popular trans oceanic event in the world.

The ARC seminars are always a popular fixture in the busy ARC programme and today saw the first in a series of special lectures by our team of experts get off to a flying start.

The ARC programme has started on a roll with a great night enjoyed by all at the Rolnautic ARC Welcome Party held last night in the Vela Latina dock, alongside all the ARC catamarans.

ARC 2007, the world's largest transocean sailing event is now "open for business" in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the starting port for the ARC. ARC 2007, the world's largest transocean sailing event is now "open for business" in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the starting port for the ARC.

Today sees the publication of the official ARC 2007 website ready for the launch of this year's rally in Gran Canaria.  The official ARC website - at www.worldcruising.com/arc - has been given a crisp new look with simplified navigation and faster page loading to enhance the user experience and enjoyment of the ARC online. The new site offers better integration of both pre-event and current event news and information. As well as all the ARC news, there are feature stories about people and places and, for the first time, publication of historic ARC results dating back to 2000 . This latest resource allows website visitors to compare crossing times for similar yachts over a range of years

The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) is on course for a record entry, with 240 yachts confirmed to take part in this year’s transocean cruising rally from Gran Canaria to St.Lucia in November, topping the previous maximum of 234 entrants in ARC 99. With more yachts currently on the waiting list, the final entry figure may be higher still.