The South African authorities have pulled out all the stops for the World Arc fleet. The South African Police Service has stationed a boat in the Yacht Club for the duration of the stopover and have been out to meet all arrivals and escort them into the port. This has been especially appreciated by the overnight arrivals including Cleone and Northern Sky the last two finishers who got into Richards Bay during the early hours of this morning. South African Customs and Immigration have also been particularly helpful, travelling to the club to clear-in crew.

The leg from Reunion to Richards Bay in South Africa is now well underway. The mountains caused a wind shadow in the light winds over the weekend and it was hard for the yachts to get away making a slow start to the passage. That is now starting to change and the yachts are making better time. Cleone has had a good day with the spinnaker up for 24 hours and all daily mileages have gone up.

As there are plans to develop the yachting facilities in here Reunion there has been plenty of media attention for the event and the return of World ARC in 2010. A local TV company came down to film the boats and talked to Petra from Viva who speaks fluent French.

The fleet left Mauritius this morning in light wind for the overnight passage to Reunion. First over the line was consistently good starter John Hayman with Chantelle who cut it very fine this time then for some reason performed a spectacular headsail drop into the water moments after starting. Luckily this manoeuvre was close enough to the committee boat for a good picture to be taken, see the gallery. A spokesperson from Chantelle was unable to comment but the thinking behind this unconventional tactic will be sought in Reunion. Next over was Talulah Ruby very closely followed by Northern Sky. Kealoha 8 came storming though the fleet under spinnaker to take an early lead while our usual leader Branec was almost last over having been delayed leaving the marina.

The Caudan Waterfront was the scene of a great party last night as Robert and his crew from Into the Blue organised a BBQ on the dock with a local séga band to provide entertainment. Séga is a combination of music and dance originally conceived by African slaves who danced around the campfire on the beach. What the real entertainment was to be however was a closely guarded secret. Half way through the séga dancers display they were joined by four extra dancers not quite so skilled in the traditional dance who bore a striking resemblance to four well known World ARC participants. Into the Blue’s own Dr Ed was joined by David from K8, Paul from Talulah Ruby and John from Chantelle trying out some rather different footwork from his usual tango.

Yachts are arriving in Mauritius to a very warm welcome. After a wild, wet and windy 2300-mile passage they are being met at the finish line by the helpful Mauritian Coast Guard and escorted into the harbour. Once they have cleared customs they tie up in the spectacular Caudan Waterfront complex where their recovery from the trip is assisted by the luxuries available in Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius. There is never a dull moment in the Caudan Complex, last night a dozen Morris Minor cars dating from 1948 was parked on the quay as the local Morris owners club gather to celebrate the ‘British Old Lady’. This morning there is some filming going on with Bollywood music blaring out and assistants scurrying round holding sunshades over the stars whenever the cameras are off.

The quiet uninhabited Direction Island in the atoll of Cocos Keeling was the site of a very lively party on Friday night as the World ARC fleet got together again. Everything needed for a great BBQ on the beach was brought over from West Island on the ferry, food for everyone and a generator for light and the all important music. Jose from Restaurant Tropika sent three huge eskies containing salads, ice and the meat to be cooked over a fire made from coconut husks.

The first yachts have now arriving and Cocos (Keeling) Island has gone to great lengths to welcome the World ARC fleet. This tiny community sees only occasional visitors and the World ARC fleet will be the largest number of yachts ever seen here. Yachts anchor near the uninhabited Direction Island and a normally protected zone near the anchorage has been opened up to allow the boats more space. As Cocos belongs to Australia the strict entry and quarantine requirement are in force and officials have flown in from Australia and Christmas Island to deal with the increased traffic with minimal delays.

The Fleet are trickling into Bali after a leg dominated by light winds and diesel burning. Unfortunately the tail enders are getting even lighter winds than the rest of the fleet which means some may not be in for a day or so yet. James on Cleone described the weather forecast emailed to the fleet as horribly acurate.

Tipperary Marina in Darwin has now become the home of World ARC for the Darwin stopover. The original plan was to go in to the “Duck Pond” or fishing boat basin but with 8-meter tides to contend with, all marinas in Darwin have locks in the entrance and overrunning maintenance on the fishing harbour lock gates meant that it was unavailable. The owners and staff of Tipperary marina have been taking extreme measures to get the fleet in to their small private facility even to the point of cutting off the “wings” that normally stop people climbing round the dock gate to make extra berths. The marina owner made the modification after learning that yachts that had sailed half way round the world to visit Darwin were facing the possibility of spending the week anchored off the city.

This morning 1130 saw the start of Leg14 the 800 miles from Thursday Island to Darwin. It was a moment to be proud of. Our fleet of World ARC yachts powering along the town front in a robust 27 knot breeze in full sunshine, worries of impossible tidal streams, 2m standing waves and the ever present estuarine or saltwater crocodiles, prevalent in this area, temporarily forgotten – this was just fantastic sailing!

While pictures of Peter and Tim's rescue from Asolare are still being shown on prime-time TV here in Australia, last night crew from the World ARC Fleet enjoyed a farewell party on board Tillymint, Bill Mapstone's Oyster 82.

The two crew of World ARC yacht Asolare have been successfully evacuated from the yacht, an Amel 54, after it struck a reef approximately 200nm from Cairns Australia in the early hours of Sunday 3rd August. Both Skipper Peter Turner and crewman Tim Wood are safe and well following their helicopter rescue and have now arrived in Cairns.

"World ARC has brought together such an absolutely amazing group of people..." so began Jerry (on right in picture) as, at the Yorkeys Knob Boat Club BBQ, he thanked everyone for the help and support that enabled him to drive his dismasted yacht Wizard safely all the way to Cairns....

The early arrivals in Australia gathered last night in the Yorkeys Knob Boat Club for a welcome reception with the commodore Don Cortis. Don had been commodore for 10 years and was on the committee when two previous World Cruising Club rallies passed through. He and committee member Gary Lovell have worked hard to prepare the welcome and enjoyed meeting the participants at last. Another club member Guy Chester has prepared a presentation on “Going over the top” as the locals call the passage between here and Darwin.

“Wizard was dismasted at 9h00 this morning Friday the 25th of July 2008.
The mast, sails and rigging was successfully detached from the rest of the yacht.
All crew on board are safe and without injuries. Wizard is now making way, toward Strega and Windflower, to load some spare diesel.”

After a glassy calm morning the breeze was perfect at midday for the start from Espirito Santo. The start line was an “Australian Gateway” formed by our twin Aussie Beneteaus, Storyteller and Southern Princess dressed overall with Don and Anne of Harmonie along to help. These three boats have now finished their World ARC 2008 rally, the Aussies to make their way home and Harmonie to spend more time in this beautiful part of the world before rejoining to go home with World ARC 2010. The fleet sailed off down the Segond Channel saying goodbye to the finishers on the VHF and wishing them well. Left in an almost deserted anchorage John Hunt said “Thank you and goodbye this is Southern Princess standing by on 77 because it’s become a habit.”

Last night on the island of Espirito Santo the fleet gathered at the Beachfront Resort for a supper of pizza and pasta. The weather having been glorious for a few days turned wet and blustery making for interesting dinghy landings on the beach, more than one crewmember showed up having had an involuntary dip in the choppy but warm sea. The holding is good however in the anchorage and conditions are forecast to improve by start time on Tuesday.

The Vanuatu Cruising Yacht Club was the venue for a lunch party today as the fleet met up in Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital before continuing their cruise of the islands. Ross Wilson, Commodore spoke welcoming the boats and mentioning the seamanship of the crew of Calli Due who double handed brought their yacht to safety with the rudder stuck at an angle. The French yacht Williwaw III were also commended for standing by Calli Due in some very rough seas to facilitate communication and provide moral support even thought attempts to board the yacht and help with repairs proved impossible.

Since arriving an air of excitement had hung over Port Resolution Bay, building with the arrival of each yacht, as villagers prepared for the formal welcoming ceremony of what was to be the largest fleet of yachts to visit at one time. Already on Monday special palm covered enclosures had been built to house the feast that was being readied for the special night. Even on the way from the airport on the same day we (as Rally Control) had stopped in several places to get supplies for the feast, the last being two huge sacks of rice, because not only were the participants the ones to be eating but also the whole village community making a total of about three hundred!

Having now left the beautiful remoteness of Port Resolution in Tanna, the fleet have sailed North to the island of Efete where they are moored in Port Villa. The distance from Tanna to Port Villa is roughly 120Nm and the conditions for the leg were exciting. It was a gusty downwind passage with a large swell running causing a lot of motion however the wind was strong and powered the boats along.

The fleet’s time in Tanna is now coming to a close, after a few very surreal and magical days. Participants have visited Mount Yasur by pick-up truck and witnessed the shear power and beauty of it, one remarking “God’s very own fire work display”. This active and most accessible volcano is a short truck ride away from Port Resolution and is an opportunity not to be missed.

After a fast and bumpy sail from Musket Cove Fiji, the World ARC fleet are now arriving into Vanuatu’s Tanna. This unique exciting island holds some of the world’s most natural beauty, the main being Mount Yasur the most accessible volcano in the world. The fleet will visit the Volcano during their time in Tanna to experience one of the most awe inspiring sights of their lives. They will then be free to cruise north to Port Villa where a function will be held on the 13th July to wish farewell to the departing yachts.

Start day here at Musket Cove almost looked like it was going to be a light airs motor-sail across the line heading towards Vanuatu. Skippers came to check out and get any last paper work sorted before their departure in shorts and t-shirt expecting a sunny windless day when what appeared to be a dark squall arose from the North.

Particpants enjoyed another very good complimentary dinner put on by World Cruising Club with the help from the friendlt staff here on Malolo Lailai. A Pig on a Spit had been turning all day above a wood fire, slowly cooking away ready for the influx of hungry yachties.

Another lovely day here in Musket Cove on Malolo Lailai as the World ARC boats continue to arrive and reunite with each other after some fine cruising. It has been a real luxury for many to be able to come alongside a dock and simply walk on and off their boat without having to launch their dinghy. Being together has also encouraged a great sense of community within the fleet, something that has grown stronger and stronger over the last few months as the participants have got to know one another much much better.

Having now sailed around many different islands in the pacific, the World ARC fleet are now arriving here on Mololo Lailai for their planned rendezvous. Situated just a few miles from Fiji’s capital, Nadi, Mololo Lailai is a quiet and beautiful island offering many facilities that the sailors are greatly appreciating. Electricity has been available on the dock; some yachts found this a luxury, as they have not plugged in for about 2months.

The majority of the fleet were not here for last Sunday’s church services but now most are safely gathered in and many dressed up in their finery this morning to go to church.

World ARC yachts are now safely tucked into the landlocked bay of Port Refuge of the island of Vava’u in Tonga. With weather front passing through most people are planning to stay here for a few days before starting their cruising leg of Tonga and Fiji.

Yachts arriving in Vava'u this Sunday morning were in for a special treat.  The strong and beautiful voices of the choir and congregation could be heard clearly across the water as we arrived. Into the Blue were among the crew lucky enough to have arrived on Saturday and were able to attend the service itself.

The residents of the smallest democracy in the world turned out on Tueday night to welcome the participants of World Arc to their island. A special evening of traditional entertainment was held in the village of Alofi where the fleet are moored. The event was attended by some members of the Government including the Premier Young Vivian who made an emotional speech about the “historical event” of the world ARC visit. Keith Vial the commodore of the Niue Yacht Club also spoke.

Another victim of cyclone damage this winter was the exposed Island of Niue where the majority of the visitor moorings were destroyed. The Niue Yacht Club have been carrying out an extensive repair programme during the last few months in preparation for the start of the busy season for transient yachts, marked this year by the arrival of the World ARC yachts. The 20 visitors moorings laid in up to 35 meters in places are maintained to a high standard by Niue Yacht Club for the convenience of visiting yachts for a small nightly charge. To support this facility for the benefit of all future cruising yachts visiting Niue, World Cruising Club has sponsored the supply and laying of two of the moorings for the 2008 season.

After a wonderful beach party based around the superb fish pasta cooked by the crew of Onelife a tour of the more remote islands of the atoll was planned for Wednesday. The beach party had started early so the cooking could be done in daylight which was just as well, as after the supper all were entertained until late by singing and guitar music from Gerry of Northern Sky and Will from Cleone with a guest appearance by John Samuela.

All the World ARC boats that took the start from Bora Bora are now anchored in the idyllic lagoon at Suwoarow one of the Cook Islands. The fleet is temporarily divided with some yachts heading to Rarotonga, capital of the Cooks and the others taking the opportunity to visit one of the most remote and unspoilt islands in the Pacific. The island is had a population of just 6 inhabited for only 6 months of the year by the caretaker John Samuel, his wife Veronica and their 4 boys. The family have only been here for a few days of this season and are still settling in but gave the World ARC yachts a fine welcome. All were offered a coffee when they visited the hut to "check in" and John has been very helpful in suggesting the best places to snorkel, dive or fish.

Saturday 17^th May brought another beautiful day in the ‘Pearl of Polynesia’ Bora Bora. The main activity of the day was the annual Yacht Club Dinghy Race. This small fun event kicked off at 1400 as teams from World ARC yachts Into the Blue, Kealoha 8, Andante of Mersey, Cleone, Tallulah Ruby II all congregated on the YC dock with their superbly presented dinghies. Also competing was YC owner Teiva Tepare and myself, Kieran Higgs, on our own surfboards.

Now beginning to arrive at the anchorage just outside Bora Bora yacht club, the World ARC fleet are reuniting with each other and getting ready for their next leg to Suwurrow. After a beautiful cruising leg from Papeete in Tahiti, the yachts took some time to visit other more remote pacific gems on their way to Bora Bora. A few nights at Moorea, Raiatea and Huahine were all talked about and certainly went down well with the yachts that spent time there. The fleet will celebrate their arrival in Bora Bora on Friday night with a sunset BBQ put on by the Yacht Club owners, Taiva Tapare and Jessica Gow who have been very helpful throughout out time here.

The 1st May meant Labour Day in Tahiti on this warm sunny morning, and to celebrate this national holiday the Tahiti Tourist Board kindly organised an all-inclusive day tour to show our visiting World ARC participants what this beautiful Pacific island has to offer. With over 120 people attending, the early start certainly didn’t deter our eager sailors from their free tour or more importantly to some, the all you can eat buffet!

At the Tahitian equivalent of a civic reception the crews of the World ARC yachts gathered at dusk under the specially decorated craftsman’s village outside the Tahiti Tourism offices to be officially greeted and welcomed to Tahiti and French Polynesia.

Since departing Atuona Bay in Hiva Oa at the beginning of April, the World ARC yachts have been thoroughly enjoying their cruising period and the opportunity to explore and discover the dramatic landscapes, tranquil lagoons and well-protected anchorages that French Polynesia has to offer. With stopovers in the Marquesas and Tuamotu Islands the participants have had an unforgettable experience with many stories to share as they are reunited in Papeete, Polynesia’s capital on Tahiti.

The World ARC fleet is currently enjoying a cruising period where they get the opportunity to go at their own pace and choose their own routes between Hiva Oa and Tahiti. Many are braving the tricky navigational challenges of the Tuamotu Islands. These atolls, just a ring of coral surrounding a lagoon have nothing higher than the top of the palm trees so they are not visible until just a short distance away. The current can be strong in the channels between the islands and run at up to 6 knots in the passes into lagoons. The yachts have found the challenge worthwhile however the atolls are idyllic. As the crew of Lady Kay report from Fakariva “We sailed south about 15miles inside the lagoon and are anchored in a pristine bay. There are no other boats in sight, in fact there is no sign of any human activity, just beach, coral palm trees, and beautiful bright blue calm sea.”

Some happy news was announced this morning on the dock of Tahuku Bay. On the 29 Feb Lorraine from Storyteller, realising she would not get a chance again for four years, sent a postcard to her boyfriend Craig back in New Zealand asking him to marry her. It takes a long time for a postcard to get from the Galapagos Islands to New Zealand and when Lorraine called home from Atuona this morning Craig had not received the postcard. Undaunted she popped the question over the phone and he agreed. The announcement followed shortly after; in true World ARC style Rally Control told the fleet the good news over the VHF and messages of congratulations flooded in.

Roger Langevin’s Trimaran 50’ Branec IV was the first across the finish line in Hiva Oa this Easter morning. Having departed Santa Cruz in the Galapagos Islands Roger and his crew, Sabine Engelbrecht and Nadjet Lemeche had a pleasant voyage with a mixture of some fine downwind sailing from the trades and some lighter spells.

After a marathon voyage of five seperate flights since departing Santa Cruz in the Galapagos Islands, Mandy Parker and Kieran Higgs have landed safe and shattered into the remote town of Atuona on the Southern Coast of Hiva Oa. Having flown back to mainland South America into Guayaquil from the Galapagos, the yellow T-shirts made their way to Santiago Chile where they then flew on to Isla De Pescua (a.k.a Easter Island) where they enjoyed a short stay before flying on to Tahiti and then finally a further 500 miles arriving into Hiva Oa early on 21st March.

Many of the participants took advantage of the time in Puerto Lucia to explore inland. The highlands have been a popular destination with a chance to cool off. Hugh and Val Pilsworth from Blue Flyer particularly enjoyed the novelty of putting the heating on in the hotel in Quito. Others have visited Cuenca with its colonial centre or Banos. Many of the younger crews have had a great time in the surfing town of Montanita, just an hour or so along the coast by local bus, an experience in itself. There have also been a few crew changes with many friends and family flying into Quito or Guayaquil to join the yachts for the trip to the Galapagos.

On Saturday afternoon the World ARC yachts were visited by the recently appointed Minister for Tourism of Ecuador,  Economist Veronica Sion de Josse. The Minister was hosted to lunch by Engineer Ricardo Palau Jimenez, President Nelbacor SA, owners and developers of the impressive Puerto Lucia Yacht Club complex, which was also attended by local dignitaries from the area including the Commandant of the Naval Academy in Salinas, Captain Lenin Sanchez Mino.

The first few boats to cross the Equator are now arriving in Puerto Lucia Yacht Club in Salinas, Ecuador. New ocean - new country – new hemisphere: the voyage has now truly got underway. It has been as expected a leg of light winds through the area known as the horse latitudes due to sailing ships in the past being forced to throw the horses overboard to lighten ship. Luckily no World ARC boat have been forced to take such drastic measures and horsepower has come into it’s own with many running their engines to get through the Doldrums.

Tillymint, an Oyster 82 taking part in World Cruising Club’s round the world rally, has been involved in a dramatic rescue of stranded Caribbean fisherman whilst en route to Panama.

The 2008 Round the World Rally officially began at 12:10 today, with nearly 40 yachts taking the start line in Rodney Bay. Conditions were ideal, with around 15 to 20 knots of wind from the East, so the East to West start line made for a great spectacle. First across was the Southern Wind 72, Far Out, followed by the Fountaine Pajot Bahia 46, Ideal, and then Cleone, a Contest 40 skippered by James Anderson. 

Wizard, a Simonis 56 arrived in Rodney Bay early on Sunday morning after a 29-day passage from Cape Town. After sailing 5,500 miles the crew arrived in good spirits at 4AM and on stepping ashore were undecided whether a hot shower or a beer was their first priority. The shower won out initially but a day of relaxation followed in Scuttlebutts, a bar that was very popular with arriving ARC crews due to its convenient location between the dock and the ARC office. Monday was then a day of maintenance with a few small breakages to fix but the boatyard in Rodney Bay was on the case and Gerrie is going to take the start, come back in for a couple of days then follow the fleet.

The World Cruising Club event staff have opened the World ARC Office in Rodney Bay to welcome the participants. There are around half of the boats in the marina already with the most recent arrival being the French trimaran, Branec IV which the onlookers on the dock declared would be sure to be first around the world.

Sailors from across the world have greeted the launch of the World ARC, a new circumnavigation rally being run by the UK-based experts at World Cruising Club (WCC), with tremendous enthusiasm. In just one month since the entry list was opened, the organisers have received 13 confirmed entries from 6 countries; Belgium, Norway, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland and the USA. With over 600 serious enquiries from Europe, North and South America, South Africa and Australia to date, entries are being received continually, and look certain to reach the upper limit of 45 yachts.

Drawing on its wealth of experience gained from organising the very first round the world cruising rally – Europa92, and four subsequent round the world cruising rallies, World Cruising Club is now in the initial planning stages for World ARC, a circumnavigation cruising rally that is scheduled to commence in November 2007.

Starting from the Caribbean in January 2008, World ARC, the new rally devised, organized and managed by World Cruising Club (WCC), will take a fleet of 47 participants from 12 countries on a cruising adventure from the Caribbean across the World’s great oceans during a circumnavigation of the globe spanning 15 months.  For the duration, a multi-lingual team of World Cruising specialists will be working behind the scenes in preparation to welcome the fleet to each of the 25 ports and to look after the crews ashore. To that end, World Cruising is delighted to announce the following appointments to its team of event personnel.

After a glassy calm morning the breeze was perfect at midday for the start from Espirito Santo. The start line was an “Australian Gateway” formed by our twin Aussie Beneteaus, Storyteller and Southern Princess dressed overall with Don and Anne of Harmonie along to help. Those three boats have now left the rally, the Aussies to make their way home and Harmonie to spend more time in this beautiful part of the world before going home with World ARC 2010. The fleet sailed off down the Segond Channel saying goodbye to the “dropouts” on the VHF and wishing them well. Left in an almost deserted anchorage John Hunt said “Thank you and goodbye this is Southern Princess standing by on 77 because it’s become a habit.”