Fiu in Adriatic

ARC 2002 Full - the fastest on record

Cowes, 24 May 2002

It seems the largest Trans Oceanic sailing event in the World is now more popular than ever. Entries for the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) have been received faster than previous years, with the capacity number of yachts, 225, reached a month earlier than expected and the fastest on record.

The yachts, from 23 different countries, will set sail on November 24th 2002 from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Rodney Bay in St Lucia. The ARC is now one of the most popular ways for yachts to cross the Atlantic.

World Cruising Club (WCC), organiser of the event and part of Challenge Business, is still taking hopeful entries onto a waiting list, but will only accept these as yachts already entered withdraw during the build-up. However, those without a boat still have the opportunity to participate, whether a fully experienced skipper, or a complete novice. A forum set up on the WCC’s Web site (www.worldcruising.com) acts as a notice board for those requiring crew, or those requiring a boat! Challenge Business will also be entering two of its Global Challenge 67’ race yachts this year, each boat providing an opportunity for 12 more sailors, of any level, to enjoy the 2700nm voyage.

Established 17 years ago, the ARC is open to cruising mono-hulls and catamarans over 27ft. The World Cruising handicap is used to calculate results in the cruising classes, whilst a racing class, under the auspices of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, is run for those wanting a more competitive crossing. Last year, 22-year-old skipper Ross Daniel completed the event in record time, on Spirit of Diana, in just under 12 days.

Commenting on the continuing success of the ARC, Andrew Bishop, general manager of WCC, says: “It is amazing how the ARC is full earlier each year. 225 yachts is the maximum we can manage, and will provide a great boost for Gran Canaria and St. Lucia.”

Asked about improvements for this year, Mr. Bishop said, “I am delighted that the Marina in Las Palmas will be improving a number of their facilities with a two year programme of investment, which has already started. The programme of social activities in St. Lucia will also be undergoing some change this year.”

Yacht manufacturers also benefit from the event. For the second time Nautor Swan is the builder with the largest number of yachts, a remarkable 24, representing a fraction over 10% of the ARC fleet. Oyster have 17 yachts and Hallberg Rassy have 15 yachts and, having moved into larger yacht production relatively recently, it is also good to see a strong representation from Moody, including one of the new Moody 64s.

Enrico Chieffi, Marketing Director of Nautor Swan said "Since 2000, the ClubSwan Racing Office has focused its communication, to our Swan owners, on the six international regattas that make up the Nautor's Swan Challenge Series. We are delighted that the ARC, one of the regattas in the Series, is benefiting with the steady increase of participating Swans."

Conceived as a friendly race for cruising yachts to make the Atlantic crossing both safer and more enjoyable, experienced sailors, fleet sailing and daily position reporting make this event appealing for those with little or lots of offshore experience. The programme of entertainment is another incentive for those wanting to cross to beautiful St. Lucia.

-Ends-

Notes for editors:

	ARC2002 is sponsored by the Tourist Board of Gran Canaria, the Port Authority of Las Palmas, the St Lucia Tourist Board, and in association with Yachting World.
	ARC2002 starts from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands on Sunday 24th November 2002 and finishes at Rodney Bay Marina, St.Lucia.
	The ARC is the largest transocean sailing event in the world, setting a record in 1999 of 235 starters
	The 2700 n mile passage will take most of the yachts between 18 and 21 days.
	World Cruising Club events include the Yachting World ARC Europe from Antigua every May, and the Yachting Monthly Rally Portugal from Plymouth to Lagos, Portugal, plus cruising seminars organised to help sailors with their cruising preparations.
	World Cruising Club, organiser of the world’s most popular yachting rallies, is part of Challenge Business, which was founded by Sir Chay Blyth 12 years ago.
	Southampton based Challenge Business events include the Global Challenge, the Ward Evans Atlantic Rowing Challenge, and the EDS Atlantic Challenge for Open 60 racing yachts. It also runs Challenge Corporate Events and Challenge Adventure Sailing.
	A selection of maps and free images are available for press use.

Websites:

http://www.worldcruising.com/
http://www.challengebusiness.com/

Contacts: Full details about the ARC can be found on the World Cruising Club website at: http://www.worldcruising.com/arc/index.htm or contact Jeremy Wyatt at World Cruising Club on tel. +44 (0)1983 296060
e-mail: mail@worldcruising.com or Rachel Anning, PR Manager, Challenge Business on +44 (0)23 8071 5300.

World Cruising Club, 120 High Street, Cowes, PO31 7AX, England

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