World ARC 2014-15 formally came to a close tonight, marked with an enjoyable crew dinner at the Royal St Lucia hotel in Rodney Bay. Rally crews and their guests were hosted by the Saint Lucia Tourist Board and enjoyed a wonderful dinner before crews were called up in turn to receive gifts and souvenirs as mementos of their time circumnavigating with during World ARC.
Crews gathered for welcome drinks whilst being entertained by a steel pan band, which ensured a lively start to this evening of celebration. Just before dinner the crews were welcomed back to Saint Lucia by the Honourable Lorne Theopilius, Minister for Tourism, Heritage and the Creative Industries in Saint Lucia, who said how pleased he was to see World ARC's return to the country’s shores.
Towards the end of the evening World ARC Event Manager, Paul Tetlow, began the presentation of awards to each boat, including anecdotes and memories of each crew’s journey during the last 15 months. Each crew received a plaque to acknowledge their participation, certificates to mark their achievements and a bottle of locally made Chairman’s Reserve rum. The crews also received a photobook of images taken during the Rally, which should help to jog memories and show to friends and family back home just what they have been up to.
Andrew Bishop, Managing Director of World Cruising Club then thanked the Saint Lucia Tourist Board for supporting the event and hosting the evening and all the other contributors and supporters of World ARC in Saint Lucia and around the route. Andrew thanked the Rally Control team for helping to deliver the event, and in particular thanked Paul who will be leaving the company soon. Andrew then concluded by thanking and congratulating the most important people of World ARC – the crews.
Several crews will meet again to participate in ARC USA and ARC Europe whilst others will sail their yacht back to Europe or the USA independently. We wish all crews well with their future plans and, knowing that sailing paths always cross, crews are sure to reunite in the future. So whilst tonight is the end of World ARC, the fun and the friendships will continue.