Looking forward to the 25th Edition of the ARC

Since its inception in 1986 thousands of cruising enthusiasts have enjoyed crossing the Atlantic with the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC). This year is a significant milestone for the rally, as the 25th edition of the ARC will set off from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia this November.

World Cruising Club is also looking forward to welcoming some of the veterans – both sailors and yachts – of the first ARC. To date, three ARC’86 skippers are confirmed as participants in ARC 2010: long time ARC supporters Manfred Kerstan of Albatros (Swan 62RS) who sailed his previous yacht, also called Albatros in the first rally, and Christoph von Reibnitz, who sailed Rote Baron in ’86 and now has the classic Henry Gruber yawl Peter von Seestermühe; plus Norwegian yachtsman Ståle Larsen who sailed a Sweden 340 Viking Crusader in ’86 and is back with his newer Sweden 40 also called Viking Crusader. Moonshadow, a Deerfoot 62, one of the original ARC 1986 yachts will sail again in 2010, though with a different owner, American sailor George Backhus.

Did you sail in ARC’86?

World Cruising Club are also keen to hear from some of those who took part in the historic first rally in 1986, especially from any ARC’86 children. The first ARC was a great adventure for all those involved, especially families sailing with children. Family boats have always been and an important part of the rally ever since the first ARC in 1986. World Cruising Club would love to hear from anyone who was under 16 years old when they sailed in ARC’86; we'd like to know your story, your memories of the ARC, whether you still sail now as an adult, so do please get in touch.

Previous ARC participant’s can contact World Cruising Club via this link.