BANG!!!! And they’re off .
The 29th edition of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) which starts from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria tomorrow promises to be exciting as well over 200 yachts and 1200 adults and children are just hours away from sailing the 2,700 nautical mile crossing to Rodney Bay Marina.
It must be noted that, this is the 25th time St.Lucia is hosting this prestigious event.
Also on tomorrow, yachting enthusiasts in St.Lucia will witness the annual flotilla scheduled to commence at 12:00 noon from the Castries harbour to Rodney Bay Marina. The flotilla is a symbolic event which coincides with the commencement of the ARC in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
As always, the ARC fleet from Las Palmas includes yachts from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Iceland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, USA and 13 other nations, making 36 in total.
Once again the event is being organized by IGY Rodney Bay Marina, the Marine Industries of St. Lucia, the St.Lucia Tourist Board and the St.Lucia Yacht Club.
According to SLTB Public Relations Manager John Emmanuel, a decision was made to switch the time from 10:00a.m. to 12:00 noon to allow St. Lucians and visitors alike an opportunity to come down to the IGY Marina and be part of the showpiece that will be in store upon arrival of the flotilla as the island celebrates the 25th event.
Upon going to press last evening there was no final figure as to the actual number of yachts and seaworthy craft participating in this year’s flotilla, but like previous years one expects to see an increase in numbers at the starting line in down town Castries harbour for the start.
