All the boats in the ARC+ rally have now sailed safely across the Atlantic from Cabo Verde to the stunning Caribbean island of Grenada, with some of the 86-strong fleet completing the 2,200-mile journey in an incredible 10 days.
The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) and its sibling, ARC+, have seen sailors embark on an adventure unlike any other. Each year, this rally attracts an eclectic mix of families, seasoned sailors, and enthusiastic newcomers ready for the thrill of the sea. In this edition, the fleet comprised a remarkable array of vessels: 28 catamarans, 56 monohulls, and 2 trimarans. As the vessels set sail from Mindelo, Cabo Verde, the excitement was palpable, with 43 children and even three dogs joining the adventure.
The weather conditions during the second leg of the journey varied significantly across the fleet. Early arrivals experienced mostly calm seas with steady winds, allowing for smooth sailing. In contrast, later boats faced stronger winds and heavy squalls that prompted gusts exceeding 40 knots, adding an element of drama to the latter half of the crossing.
Leading the charge and making landfall at Port Louis Marina in St. George’s was Enjoy the Silence, an impressive Outremer 55 catamaran. Skipper Jean Jullien and his crew celebrated their arrival after an exhilarating 10 days and four hours at sea. The atmosphere on the dock was jubilant, providing a warm welcome for the boat and its crew. Jean expressed mixed emotions, stating, ‘This is a special feeling for me. On one hand we are really happy because we have been pushing the boat to cross the line first, but I actually feel slightly deflated now it is over.’ The start of the rally, with its excitement and anticipation, turned out to be the most memorable moment for the crew.
Enjoy The Silence and all the crews received a tremendous welcome in Grenada
Upon their arrival, teams were greeted with enthusiasm by the World Cruising Club, the Grenada Tourism Authority, and Port Louis Marina. Celebrations unfolded, punctuated by the arrival of other boats over the following days.
Two days after Enjoy the Silence, the first family boat, Dawnbreaker, a 2002 Kanter 64, docked alongside. Skippered by Karl Nerman from Sweden, the vessel carried three generations of the Nerman family, including Karl’s wife Anna and their three young children. This heartwarming family story adds a personal touch to the adventure, showcasing the rally’s embrace of familial bonds and shared experiences on the water.
Showing remarkable speed, the first doublehanded team, Linn Eve and Anders Krogholm from Norway, arrived on their Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50DS, Eveline, after 13 days and 14 hours at sea. Linn shared, ‘We had a lovely trip over. There was not much wind on the first leg, so we did a bit of motoring. This second leg we had much more wind, which was better for our boat.’ The excitement crescendoed with their arrival in the dark, completing their journey under a starry sky.
Many members of the fleet are now looking ahead, with several yachts planning to join the World ARC departing from St. Lucia in January. For Linn and Anders, their journey continues north along the US coastline, eventually leading them to Canada and Greenland.
There was a beautiful wedding aboard Beyond 1 shortly after their arrival
A standout moment during this year’s rally occurred on December 6th, shortly after arrival, when Beyond I, a Windelo 50 catamaran, became the backdrop for a beautiful wedding ceremony. Owner-skipper Endre Eolyus officiated the wedding of his school friend, Botond, and his fiancé Edit, who had flown in just for the occasion. The sunset created a magical setting as friends and family mingled with newfound companions from the ARC+, celebrating love and adventure.
An aerial view of Port Louis Marina near St George’s in Grenada
This year’s ARC and ARC+ rallies have witnessed an extraordinary gathering of around 1,200 sailors, all embarking from Las Palmas, split into two fleets heading toward St. Lucia and Grenada. As the first boats from the ARC begin to arrive in St. Lucia, excitement continues to build, promising more stories of adventure and camaraderie.