It’s Autumn in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe and the cruising season draws to a close. As thousands of birds migrate to sunnier climes so too do hundreds of boats prepare to leave these shores to undertake the long transatlantic voyage to the Caribbean. The traditional point of departure for their trip has been the Canary Islands, ever since Columbus first provisioned there just over 500 years ago. Columbus had no idea of what to expect on the other side of the ocean, whereas the modern sailor knows that winter in the Caribbean beckons with perfect sailing, steady trade winds and fine weather.
It was 21 years ago that the yachting journalist Jimmy Cornell first went to the Canaries to interview skippers about their preparations for this transatlantic passage for an article commissioned by Yachting World magazine. The people he spoke to were as diverse as their boats, representing wide ranging nationalities, ages, and incomes.
The atmosphere amongst these sailors as they prepared for their voyage - the excitement, apprehension, and camaraderie - gave Jimmy the idea of organising a race across the Atlantic. Jimmy’s event was to have an entirely different emphasis to set it apart from other ocean races. It was to be a race that focused on the fun of taking part and one that would increase safety and confidence, especially amongst those making their first long ocean passage.
Cruising sailors and media alike were so positive in their response to Jimmy’s idea that it was apparent that the time was ripe for such an event. Thus ARC86, the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, was born.
As soon as the Rally was launched entries began rolling in from all corners of the globe and, after a few months, the list of entries had to be closed and a waiting list started.
Setting a World Record
On 25 November 1986, the starting cannon was fired from a Spanish Navy frigate and 204 yachts from 24 nations set off on the inaugural ARC from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on the largest transocean race ever staged, earning itself an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The aim of the ARC – both then and now - is to emphasise the amateur, corinthian spirit as opposed to the more professional nature of other ocean-going events. For this reason, rules are kept to a minimum. Although one of the thoughts behind this Rally was to add some zest and friendly competition to the long passage, another consideration was to increase safety. One of the few rules stipulated that every boat should carry a liferaft and also an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). During the Rally, a VHF listening watch is kept to deal with any emergencies that might arise.
Over the years, long-range communications have become much more accessible and now most yachts taking part will have either SSB HF radio or satellite communications. This greatly increases the safety factor and in every ARC, participants have been helped via the radio, either with technical or medical advice or by other yachts assisting directly in emergencies.
Racing Division introduced
Although planned as a fun event, it soon became apparent that many crews wanted to compete rather than simply cruise. In 1989, a Racing Division using the Channel Handicap System (CHS) was introduced to enable anyone wishing to race to pit their skills against likeminded sailors. Entries in this division, now run under the auspices of the Royal Ocean Racing Club using the IRC rating, form some 15% of the fleet each year, whilst the majority have remained in the Cruising Division in which limited motoring is allowed.
The ARC organisers, World Cruising Club (WCC), always have the best interests of the participants in mind and to that end will always try to incorporate the more popular ideas and proposals put forward to improve the event. This was the main reason for a switch in the destination for the ARC from Barbados to Rodney Bay in St.Lucia back in 1990. The yachting facilities are superior to those available in Barbados and for the first time it was possible to have all the yachts in one marina at the end of the Rally, as they were before the start, and this provides an excellent atmosphere.
Something for everyone
WCC tries to satisfy everyone taking part, by providing prizes for performance either on speed or handicap, as well as presenting other prizes such as those awarded for the best family performance, the oldest boat, the last arrival. One year a prize was even awarded to the most troublesome skipper!
From the outset, the ARC has developed its own special character. Over the past 20 years many friendships have been forged in the relaxed atmosphere and the profound sense of camaraderie has become the hallmark of this very special event that entices people back year after year.
In 1999, World Cruising Club became part of Sir Chay Blyth’s Challenge Business. Since then, the ARC has continued to thrive, reaching a record entry of 235 yachts, and regularly exceeding 200 entries each year. It has become a firmly established event on the international sailing calendar and celebrated its 20th edition in 2005.
In January this year, the ARC and all other events and activities organised by World Cruising Club were taken over from Challenge Business in a management-led buyout.
Andrew Bishop, Director of World Cruising Club commented at the time: “This is a tremendous opportunity for all of us at World Cruising Club to further grow what is already a well established business. The ARC has been running for 20 years and it is fitting that at this milestone anniversary we are able to take the experience we have gained and concentrate on developing new ideas to maintain our position as the market leader in the organisation of sailing rallies for cruising yachtsmen.”
31 Oct 2006 10:19 GMT
Peta Stuart-Hunt
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