The World Cruising Club team on events are known as ‘Yellow Shirts’, for obvious reasons! Yellow Shirts deliver all elements of the rally, from the behind-the-scenes planning and supportive seminars, to safety checks and selling t-shirts. The international team are all dedicated to delivering a great experience for rally participants; many have taken part in the ARC or other WCC events themselves, and are passionate sailors and globe-trotters. Just like any boat's crew, each member brings their own special skills to keep the good ship 'ARC' sailing smoothly, from local knowledge to technical advice, and creating content to liaising with international authorities, all with a friendly smile!
Here is your ARC+ 2023 team:
In the ARC+ Shop
The ARC+ Shop is where you can buy t-shirts and teddies, sign-up for activities and dinners. The shop Yellow Shirts, Alex and Laura, live in Gran Canaria, and are a fount of knowledge on everything around Las Palmas. If you exhaust their expertise, Las Palmas Tourism and Dolar car rental also have desks in the shop, so no excuses for not getting out and about.
Alex: Alex is a born sailor who has only lived ashore for 3 years. He lives on his yacht (‘the love of his life’) in the marina and when he’s not working for World Cruising, he is a yacht skipper in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Favourite Caribbean island: Bequia.
Laura: A born and raised Gran Canarian, Laura’s first memory of sailing is her family’s annual trip to watch the start of the ARC - and now she’s working for the ARC! Laura is a fine artist and will be crossing the Atlantic later in December to follow her dream of sailing every ocean.
The ARC+ Safety Team
Every yacht is visited by the ARC+ safety team who check that everything is in place for a safe Atlantic crossing. They will also be running the Safety Demonstrations in week 2 of the program.
Not just anyone can be a safety inspector – our team of Roger, Phil, Mark, and Fergus have between them sailed the equivalent of to the moon and back including over 50 Atlantic crossings. They are full of knowledge having been onboard hundreds of ARC+ and ARC boats over the years - Do ask them any questions about equipment and procedures you may have and make sure the kettle's on when they visit your boat!
Roger: Roger says he got into sailing in the Caribbean 1980s for the socials and beer, and since then he has sailed thousands of miles and taught hundreds of people to sail as an RYA instructor and examiner. Favourite Caribbean Island: Grenada.
Phil: Phil lives in Gran Canaria and sails all around the world as a professional yacht captain, racking up over 150,000 NM. He is currently working on a CNB 95 (lucky chap). Favourite Caribbean Island: Les Isles des Saintes, Guadeloupe.
Fergus: With his wife Jenevora (media team), Fergus sailed around the world for 8 years in their Lagoon 440, ‘Two Drifters’. Fergus and Jevevora have joined World Cruising Club as event managers for World ARC 2024-25. Favourite Caribbean Island: Bequia.
Mark: Mark has 19 Atlantic crossings including four ARCs under his sea boots, plus he’s been a safety inspector for 8 years. Mark and his wife Cecile (check in team) will cross the Atlantic after ARC+ on their own boat before carrying on around the world. Favourite Caribbean Island: Saba.
At Check In
The team greets every skipper as part of the check in process, ensuring that the participants know about the support services available to help them in Las Palmas, and get the most out of the social events and activities. When check ins are complete, you’ll meet the team running the seminars.
Swade: With an extensive former career in large scale event management and corporate hospitality, SWade and husband Andrew (event manager), decided to change tack in 2016 and joined ARC Portugal with their Hanse 400, providing a gateway to their adventures around the Mediterranean. They have been involved with WCC rallies as Yellow Shirts ever since. Favourite Caribbean island: Saint Lucia
Cecilie: A self-confessed retired electrical engineer fibre optic technician and some-time dental nurse, Cecilie has completed 7 Atlantic crossings and sailed most of the way around the world. After over a decade as a yellow shirt, she and husband Mark (safety team) liveaboard Cohiba and will sail the Atlantic in the New Year as the first step in a circumnavigation. Favourite Caribbean island: Union
Behind the scenes - the Operations Crew
The ops crew are usually busy working away in one of the containers on the ARC+ platform, ensuring that the event runs safely and smoothly. They escape to meet participants at the Sundowners and social events and you'll hear from them on the Morning Broadcast each day.
Paul: Managing director Paul navigates the good ship World Cruising Club, setting our direction and vision. He knows the business from the keel up, having been an event manager on World ARC. Top tip for Cape Verde: go walking in Santo Antao.
Suzana: World Cruising Club’s operations director has worked on every rally, including as event manager for World ARC. With a knack of getting things done with a smile, Suzana also speaks several languages fluently. Favourite Caribbean island: Grenada or Carriacou.
Andrew: All the planning and success of ARC+ is down to event manager Andrew (thank you!). He and wife SWade (check in team) keep a yacht in Menorca and have previously been event managers on World ARC. Top tip for the Caribbean: walk up the Pitons in Saint Lucia.
Isaak: New Zealander Isaak is taking a year out after university, and he’s spending part of it running the ARC+ database (life goals!). Isaak’s favourite European destination so far is Sardinia, also a popular spot with many ARC+ cruisers from the Mediterranean.
Alvaro: When he is not ARC’s ‘Mr Fixit’ in Las Palmas, Alvaro works in the film industry and runs a small camper van business. He is also a big foodie. Top tip for Las Palmas: you’ll have a memorable meal at Que Leche.
The Media Team
Sharing your Atlantic crossing experience with the international press and inspiring other to follow in your wake, the media team will be out and about creating content for the website and social media channels. They are always on the hunt for a good story, so track them down on the ARC+ Platform or around the marina and let them know how your preparations are coming along.
Rachel: Coming back to World Cruising Club after 11 years, Rachel says this is the best job in the world. Talking to people about boats and adventures, what could be better? Favourite Caribbean island: Mayreau
Jenevora: Also known as Nev, Jenevora is a PR specialist and an experienced sailor, having spent 8 years sailing from Greece to Australia with husband Fergus (safety team) in their catamaran. As well as writing for Sailing Today, Nev and Fergus will be event managers for World ARC 2024-25. Favourite Caribbean island: BVIs
Dan: Fresh out of uni with a first in marketing, Dan is bringing cutting edge comms to the media team. From the Isle of Wight, Dan is setting up a digital marketing agency and ARC+ is his first client. This is Dan’s first experience of sailing events, and so far he’s loving it.