With 3 months to go until the start of ARC Europe it has already proved very popular with 34 confirmed entries. As often happens there is a good mixture of new participants and also yachts that have sailed on World Cruising Club events before. Many sailed on the recent ARC, and will no doubt be enjoying their sail north through the islands, while a few are in Brazil due to return shortly to Saint Lucia and complete their circumnavigation with World ARC.
No matter how you arrive at the start of ARC Europe it's a great opportunity to meet and sail in company with an international mix of sailors on the 3,650NM passage across the Atlantic. With boats registered from 17 different countries, from Australia to Slovenia, the mix of crew makes it all the more dynamic.
'Intrepid Elk' from Australia 'Rhea' from Slovenia
The majority of the fleet will start from
Nanny Cay, where it will feel much busier as it is run alongside ARC USA which now has 19 confirmed entries, so there will be a whopping 46 boats on the startline! There is also a start on the same day, May 9th, from the USA. This start is from Portsmouth, Virginia and has proved increasingly popular with 7 yachts currently starting here. At the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay,
Ocean Marine Yacht Center is a great setting off point for those North American yachts bound for Europe.
The route takes both fleets first to Bermuda where there is time to explore this unique island as well as prepare for the next long leg to Horta. In Bermuda a further 3 yachts are planning to join ARC Europe and the fleet will set sail on 20 May to the islands of the Azores. Here the popular Azores Cruise takes in four of the islands before sailing the last leg to Lagos, Portugal, or alternatively head to home ports in north Europe.
During the 6 week crossing there is a full programme of events in each destination so there will be plenty of photos and stories aswell as blogs from the boats while underway.
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