Saint Lucia welcomes ARC sailors in style!

Pigeon Island and the waters of Rodney Bay provided the spectacular backdrop to the Caribbean beach setting as the venue for the welcome party at the Rex Royal St Lucian Hotel hosted by the Saint Lucia Tourist Board last night. With the consistent winds on the ARC this year the average passage times have all been reduced by almost three days and so there were more boats in Saint Lucia for this party than ever before! Last year 29 yachts had finished in time to attend the party; this year it was 120!

Shuttle bus taxis brought the seemingly endless stream of participants the short distance from IGY Rodney Bay Marina to the Rex Royal, its’ immaculate gardens providing a stunning entrance through to the party on Reduit Beach, with the sound of live steel pan music wafting across the nights airs in welcome.

ARC participants were welcomed to Saint Lucia by The Director of the Saint Lucia Tourist Board, Mr Louis Lewis, and to IGY Rodney Bay Marina by the new General Manager, Mr Adam Foster. ARC Event Director, Andrew Bishop, thanked the hosts, and asked all attendees to remember the 85 yachts still at sea and yet to arrive.

Live bands and fire dancers kept the crowds entertained throughout the evening as participants and guests enjoyed the Caribbean beach buffet, and a bar that seemed to keep flowing well into the night, to ensure a memorable party for all.

Whilst the partying went on, a further 14 yachts finished and were berthed between 2000 and 0200. Now a busy day of arrivals lies ahead, with good winds keeping everyone sailing well towards Saint Lucia, where a warm Caribbean welcome awaits them.