Once again, ARC entries have eclipsed the previous year with the ARC 2003 entry list closing after 225 yachts (the maximum number) was accepted Friday, 9 May, two weeks earlier than last year’s record breaker.

“This type of interest in the Atlantic Rally For Cruisers is very encouraging and speaks well for St. Lucia as a yachting destination”, says Tourism Director Hilary Modeste. This annual migration across the Atlantic for hundreds of sailors keen to explore oceans new is a boon for St. Lucia during the month of December. Hopeful entries are now being placed onto a waiting list, and will only be accepted as yachts already entered withdraw during the build up to the start of the eighteenth Atlantic Rally for Cruisers from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on 23 November.

Commenting on the continuing success of the ARC, director of World Cruising Club, Andrew Bishop, said: “Last year was incredible, with a full list much earlier than expected, however entries for this year have been steadily flooding in since the end of ARC2002 and we are delighted at how quickly the event has filled up, especially considering the current world situation.”

Asked about improvements for this year Andrew said: “A tremendous additional benefit for ARC participants this year is the new forum pages on the World Cruising Club web-site (www.worldcruising.com). The forum is open to all ARC skippers and crews enabling owners to easily share information with their crew and to have immediate access to recently published information.

We are also expanding the programme of social activities in St. Lucia this year, with the help of a new local committee that has been established with representatives from key organisations on the island. In addition, the Las Palmas programme has been further refined following feedback from previous years’ participants to include a double-handed workshop, a Children’s Optimist Regatta and a number of other social events.”

This year’s crossing is expected to see increased competition with two Volvo 60’s, a Sydney 60 and four Farr 65’s entered, this racing division looks to be the one to watch this year. Several key players in the world of yacht racing have also entered their own boats, including Peter Harrison with his brand new 115ft cruising ketch and Vincenzo Onorato, part of the Americas Cup Prada Syndicate, with his Swan 65, Mascalzone Latino XIV.

This is the fifth consecutive year that the ARC has attracted well in excess of 200 yachts, and more than 20 different nations. The largest nation, making up just over half the fleet is Great Britain, followed by Germany and the USA. Once again the ARC has attracted entries from Russia and Japan and is delighted to welcome 2 boats from Israel.