Saint Lucia to welcome over 240 yachts and 1200 participants in ARC & ARC Plus
Saint Lucia (November 6, 2014) – This November, over 240 boats and 1200 people, including 34 children aged under 16, will take part in the 29th edition of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, which sets sail from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, heading 2700NM across the Atlantic to Saint Lucia.
ARC sailors have a choice of routes with the introduction of ARC+ Cape Verde, and two starts are planned: 52 boats sailing ARC+ will depart Las Palmas marina (Muelle Deportivo) on Sunday 9 November, followed by the larger ARC fleet (190 boats) on Sunday 23 November.
Saint Lucia is again getting ready to receive and play host to the hundreds of sailors and their families expected to begin arriving here in late November/early December.
As always, the ARC fleet represents almost every principle sailing nation. This year there are boats registered in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, UK, Germany, Japan, Iceland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, USA and 13 other nations, making 36 in total.
On island the ARC Planning Committee which comprises: the Saint Lucia Tourist Board, World Cruising Club, IGY Marina and the Saint Lucia Yacht Club, have been busy planning for the upcoming event.
The goal of the committee is to ensure that it presents the most attractive program for the participants and encourage them to integrate into Saint Lucia’s economic and social fabric over their three-week stay on island.
SLTB’s Special Events Manager Dahlia Guard says, “The 2014 program promises much fun and excitement and a welcome twist to many of the traditional activities along with the introduction of some new audience-engaging events.”
Saint Lucia has served as the finishing leg of the world’s most popular trans-Atlantic sailing event (ARC) for the past 24 years.
Platinum sponsor for the 29th edition ARC is Digicel, the ‘Be Extraordinary’ network. Several other corporate entities have come on board as Gold, Silver, Bronze and Collateral sponsors.
Follow the progress of the sailors crossing to Saint Lucia at www.worldcruising.com/arc
For more information about the island of Saint Lucia call 1-800 456-3984, or 1-888 4STLUCIA or visit www.saintlucianow.com
About Saint Lucia
One of the Windward Islands of the West Indies’ Lesser Antilles, Saint Lucia (pronounced Saint LOO-sha) is nestled halfway down the Eastern Caribbean archipelago. The “Helen of the West Indies,” Saint Lucia is known for its natural beauty and diverse attractions, including the signature Piton Mountains – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – a tropical rainforest and one of the world’s few drive-in volcanoes. Culturally rich offerings include the bustling marketplace in the capital of Castries, quaint fishing villages along the coastline, and the annual Saint Lucia Jazz festival. Saint Lucia’s wide range of accommodations includes world-class five-star resorts, all-inclusive resorts, intimate inns and value-oriented properties. Saint Lucia also is home to world class cruise and yachting facilities.