Last weekend, the atmosphere at The Pavilion in Rodney Bay was nothing short of enchanting as yachtsmen and women gathered for the grand 40th anniversary Prize Giving event of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC).
On December 20, the 40th edition of the ARC concluded with a vibrant prize-giving ceremony celebrating courage and camaraderie at sea. This year, 142 vessels completed the 2,700-mile journey from Las Palmas to Saint Lucia, with participants including children as young as two, emphasizing the event’s family-oriented spirit.
Saint Lucia also welcomed media from six international outlets to cover the milestone event and promote the island to global audiences. The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) CEO Louis Lewis highlighted the ARC’s significance to Saint Lucia and its ongoing partnership with the global sailing community.
As this historic edition wraps up, Saint Lucia proudly celebrates 40 years of the ARC and the friendships forged across oceans.
After weeks of navigating a challenging 2,700-mile course across the Atlantic, these sailors of diverse nationalities, genders, ages, and backgrounds came together to celebrate the significance of this global sailing event.
The main ARC event, along with its complementary sailing categories like the World ARC and ARC+, has consistently attracted increasing participation and enthusiastic reviews over the years.
This year’s awards also featured notable locally-entitled prizes, including the IGY Rodney Bay Trophy, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) Trophy, and the Prime Minister’s Trophy.
The local organizing team deserves immense recognition—comprising management and staff from the SLTA, Events Company of Saint Lucia (ECSL), and the Ministry of Tourism, along with dedicated ancillary workers who came together to stage an outstanding event for the 40th anniversary of the ARC.
Margaret-Ann Adams, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, expressed pride in hosting global sailors.
“Crossing the ocean is no easy task, and we salute everyone—not just the winners—who have shown remarkable teamwork, grit, and resilience. Thank you for your participation and for embracing the Saint Lucian experience.” Minerva Ross, ECSL’s Public Relations Officer, welcomed the sailors with enthusiasm and praised their tremendous achievement on this significant occasion.
Reflecting on the ARC’s 40th anniversary and Saint Lucia’s 37 years as the anchor destination, she emphasized the value of the long-standing partnership with the World Cruising Club (WCC): “We recognize their unwavering commitment over the last 40 years, and we look forward to strengthening this collaboration.”
Ross asserted, “This is an extraordinary global achievement. It’s what we call ‘Legacy Building,’ and it’s exceptional.”
WCC’s Managing Director, Paul Tetlow, reminisced about the inauguration of the ARC event in 1986 : “This year, we celebrate this milestone in various ways. With lighter winds at the beginning of their passage, participants had the chance to better understand their systems and enjoy a potentially faster average crossing than in previous years. ”
Acknowledging the contributions of the sailors for this milestone, he pointed out, “Our participants have played a vital role in celebrating this significant journey. Their achievement of sailing across the Atlantic is commendable, with representation from 31 different countries in ARC 2025.”
Tetlow highlighted Saint Lucia’s crucial role as the host destination and its connection to other sub-regional territories. “The ARC is the premier ocean-going sailing event, arriving in Saint Lucia to create an uplifting buzz of energy as boats complete their Atlantic crossing, ” he said.
Sailors are eagerly looking forward to participating in the next season, as Saint Lucia serves as a central hub for them to explore the other islands. He added that the representation of Caribbean nations in the transatlantic crossing is steadily increasing each year.
This year’s ARC event showcased the resilience and passion of sailors while celebrating a legacy that has brought together sailing enthusiasts for decades.
[ Voice Sports will highlight the full list of winners in next issue].