There’s lots to do before the crews depart but many continued with the seminar programme on Wednesday, heading to the lecture theatre at the nearby Hotel Santa Catalina.Today began with Sue Johnson’s First Aid & Health at Sea lecture, a daunting topic for many who need to understand the practicalities of dealing with medical problems without a hospital or pharmacy nearby and over 150 people attended the lecture. Skippers wondering what to do after they have completed their ARC crossing were then able to find out the various options on how to return to Europe either with ARC Europe, using professional delivery crew from PYD, or by shipping the boat back home with Peters and May.
Next up, ARC Weatherman Chris Tibbs, a meteorologist and a sailor with over 250,000 nautical miles experience, packed out the seminar hall advising crews on routing options and weather to be anticipated during the crossing.
John Emmanuel from the Saint Lucia Tourist Board then gave a talk all about the magnificent Caribbean island where ARC participants will make landfall. He shared tips and information with crews and let them know about what is waiting for them in beautiful Saint Lucia. Certainly worth crossing the Atlantic for!
In the evening, ARC crews sailed back in time to the 1980's - the decade in which the very first ARC rally set sail - for a trip down memory lane by dressing as characters from all the great (and not-so great) movies of the era. Characters from horror films, action flicks and even cartoons made appearances at the Club Varadero for the party.
Welcomed on arrival by the 'ARC Busters' crews enjoyed a welcome sangria and admired the ingenious costumes put together for the party. The classic 80's soundtrack got the party started and the dance floor was soon filled with crews dancing away into the early hours of the morning!
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