The first ARC+ has arrived in St. Lucia.

The first ARC+ has arrived in St. Lucia.

On 20 November 43 rally yachts sailed away from Mindelo in the Cape Verde Islands bound for Rodney Bay on the beautiful Caribbean island of St Lucia. 11 ARC+ boats are now safely tied up inside Rodney Bay Marina having enjoyed a fantastic sail across the Atlantic. The rest of the ARC+ boats are due to arrive over the next week, as the established trade winds continue to fill their sails and propel them across the water.

La Peregrina (GBR) approaches Pigeon Island before crossing the finish line - Photo: Kieran Higgs 

First across the finish line on Saturday 30 November at 1044 local time, was the Outremer 64’ Catamaran Malisi (AUT) who sailed the 2100NM passage in just under 10 days, a very fast passage yet still very peaceful.
‘She’s a very comfortable boat for a fast racing Catamaran. We were able to enjoy a full BBQ on deck for 8 hungry crew whilst we powered along at 10 knots with a well-trimmed spinnaker. – Mattias Rueleke, Malisi

36 hours after Malisi’s arrival came the next ARC+ arrival, the X-482 LUV (GER) owned by Keiko Tornow. Crews were delighted to arrive as they leapt into the sea once across the finish line to cool off after 11 days racing across an ocean.

Two other X-Yachts have joined LUV in the top 5 first arrivals, the X-482 Aronnax (BEL) and the slightly smaller X-442 Mathilde (DEN). Also two Swan 53’s Bella Vela (USA) and ODA (NOR) have made it into Rodney Bay after a fast passage, all reporting some fine sailing conditions, however at times even a bit too comfortable.

‘Having never sailed a passage of this length and scale, it was actually lot easier than I had expected’ – Daniela De Luca D’Elia – AronnaX

On arrival rally boats are welcomed on docks by Rally Control & representatives from the Saint Lucia Tourist Board who provide a complimentary rum punch to each participant along with a welcome hamper filled with local produce.

The Hallberg Rassy 49 La Peregrina (GBR) owned by George Steinhauer arrived into Rodney Bay this morning flying her colourful cruising chute as she approached Pigeon Island. Crews were overwhelmed to arrive in such good time and once tied up alongside they ran over to neighbouring rally boat AronnaX and exchanged some hearty hugs to their crew before tucking into a cold Rum Punch.

‘This is what it’s all about, if only I could bottle this feeling….’ – Francisco from La Peregrina.