Strong Fleet, Light Airs as 24th | Jangieua exrear

ARC Embarks for St. Lucia EVERY SAILING SUAB!
The 24th edition of the world-famous annual transatlantic yacht rally, the Atlantic , cE DO THEIR D aga!

Rally for Cruisers (ARC), defied the economic doom and gloom, and 209 yachts ;
YEAR’S EVE

departed from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on November 22nd en route to Rodney
31st DECEMBER 2009

Bay, Saint Lucia. The largest is the US-registered Swan 112 Highland Breeze, at
34.34 metres. The smallest is Zahara, a British-registered Sadler 29 (8.67 metres).
Mostly sunny skies and eight to ten knots of northeasterly breeze provided a
There is (again) from
( ENGLISH HARBOUR a Pursuit Race
( TO SUIT EVERY VESSEL.

   

colourful display of spinnakers hoisted to help the yachts on their way. Winds were
forecast to increase to 18 to 23 knots and crews expected moderate tradewind condi-
tions for the first part of their crossing.

The 18 yachts competing in the Racing Divisions, run under the auspices of the
Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), were first to start. The expected winds had not yet
filled in, so it was a struggle to keep spinnakers flying in the awkward swell. The IOR
Maxi Umataiu (Anthony Balme, UK) was early over the line, earning a three-hour
penalty. The first clear starter, a Grand Soleil 50, Katawa (Andreas Costa, Italy), was
closely followed by the Wally 80 Bagheera (Kemal Cingillioglu, Turkey) and the
German JV58, Auliana IT. Unfortunately, Auliana IT was abandoned following the loss
of the yacht’s rudder some 36 hours after the start. The crew was safely evacuated.

Soon after the racing start, the cruising yachts set off. The wind had increased
slightly by this time, and at ten to 12 knots, was enough to provide the gentle start
most cruisers prefer. Gottfried Poessl’s Bavaria 51 Ceiox2 (Austria) was first across.

Vessels Large (130ft+) and Small
(23ft-) Get Ye to the Start Line!

Midshipman Sein Pearson: +1268
Deck Swab John Burnie: +590690 —

(There really is no paperwork - but lots of GROG
to be won on this Great Fun Family Race!)

 

REGATTA,
2 OF110,

At the start, the dock was full of well-wishers in carnival mode, cheering and danc-
ing. Yachts were bid farewell from Las Palmas via loud speakers around the port and
Banda Guayadra, provided by the Ayuntamiento de Las Palmas (City Hall), marched
around the marina serenading on every pontoon to add to the festival feel.

Boats had to identify themselves as they left the marina and headed through a
“gate” before making their way to the start line. To the delight of the spectators, sev-
eral crews got into the spirit of the event and dressed up for their departure. There
were long blonde wigs aboard Blonde Moment; Irish leprechaun hats on Liberty and
Mexican waves from the ten-man crew of Swan 62RS Albatros.

A record 32 nations are represented in this year’s event, underlining the fact that
the ARC is an international event and the most popular way to sail across the

 

Atlantic. The ARC distinguishes itself by successfully combining racing and cruising
yachts with a mix of older and younger participants, all of whom thoroughly enjoy the
varied entertainment that is on offer for all ages at both the start and finish ports.

Since January 2006, the ARC has been run by the Cowes-based independent event
management company World Cruising Club Ltd, which always tries to incorporate
the most popular ideas and proposals put forward to improve the event. This year for
the very first time, the yachts in the ARC Racing Divisions carry Yellowbrick satellite
tracking devices. These provide automatic position reports uploading to the WCC
website every six hours via the Iridium Network.

The 2,700-nautical mile passage on the Northeast Tradewind route takes the fleet,
on average, between 14 and 21 days to reach the finish line. The bulk of this year’s
fleet is expected to arrive in St. Lucia, where a festive welcome awaits, during the
week of December 7th.

News from the fleet can be found on the official ARC website where daily yacht position
reports will be displayed and visitors can view individual route maps for each yacht.
Crews will also contribute daily logs and images direct to www.worldcruising.com/arc.

For more information visit wiww.worldcruising.com.

 

aT EXGIING WEEXENID WITH) Tein
cE SVALON GUM HIETS OU HECOASTEOFIGRENADAY
Se FO RIRAGING IBOATS)

 

 

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St. Croix Yacht Club
Hospice Regatta

Teague Bay, St. Croix
LS. Virgin Islands

wv
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Kegivhratiog new epen:
Tel: (340) 773-9541 stcroixyetemail.com
St. Croix Yacht Club | ‘ i i
Hospice Regatta www. stcroixregatta.com
fepinnd by Comprition —

Fehuncrd iy ( cmmpansion |

 

Iospired by
COMPETITION

February 19, 2010:

Registration

Cruzan Rum Welcome Party
February 20—21, 2010:

CSA Spin/Non-Spin, One-designs,

Beach Cats, Multi-hulls, Optimists,

Heavy Cruisers

Enhanced by
COMPASSION

Raising funds and awareness
for Hospice on St. Croix,

 

xy YAS
SCooxrcra

Sailing for Others... “==. @SailProud

A prognt ot thy Se dren, Femeedatiee