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The
ARC 2000
(Atlantic Rally for Cruisers)
Begins
November 19th 2000
| Every Year as the cruising season in the Mediterranean and
Northern Europe comes to a close, hundreds of boats prepare to leave on
the long transit to the Caribbean. The traditional point of departure
has been the Canary Islands ever since Columbus first provisioned there
500 years ago.While Columbus had no idea what to expect on the other
side of the ocean, the modern sailor knows that winter in the Caribbean
beckons with perfect sailing, steady trade winds and fine weather. |
In 1985, Jimmy Cornell went to the Canaries to
interview skippers about their preparations for the transatlantic
passage for an article commissioned by Yachting World Magazine. The
people he spoke to were as diverse as their boats, representing various
ages, nationalities and incomes.From almost every country in Europe,
sailors were setting off either on a circumnavigation or on the
increasingly popular one year circuit of the North Atlantic. |
| A large proportion were Americans and Canadians
returning home after cruising in Europe, while a few were Australians or
New Zealanders in the midst of a world voyage. It was the atmosphere among
these sailors as they prepared for their voyage - the excitement,
apprehension and comraderie - that gave Jimmy Cornell the idea of
organizing a race across the Atlantic, but with an emphasis entirely
different from other ocean races.
It was to be a race for the fun of taking part and one that would
increase safety and confidence, especially among those making their first
long ocean passage. |
From the response to the idea, whether from cruising sailors
or the editors of yachting magazines, it was apparant that the time was
ripe for such an event. Thus ARC '86, The Atlantic Race for Cruisers, was
born. As soon as the idea was launched, entries began rolling in from all
corners of the globe. After a few months the list of entries had to be
closed and a waiting list started.
On 25th. November when the starting cannon was fired from the Spanish Navy
War Ship, 209 yachts from 24 nations set off from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria on
the longest transoceanic race ever staged and the ARC earned itself an entry in
the Guiness Book of World Records.
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| The aim of the Arc was to emphasize the amateur spirit as
opposed to the increasingly professional nature of other ocean races.
Although one of the thoughts behind the race was to add some zest and
friendly competition to the long passage, another consideration was to
increase safety. During the rally, a radio listening watch is kept to deal
with emergencies that might arise. Over the years, this radio net has
dealt with various emergencies, most commonly relaying specialist medical
advice and in 1990 co-ordinated the rescue of the crew of a sinking boat.
Although planned as a fun event, it soon became apparent that many crews
took the event quite seriously. Following suggestions made by
participants, the R in ARC has changed from Race to Rally, to emphasize
that this was not another ocean race, but something completely
different.
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The change in name appears to have been too subtle for some,
and the controversy between those who wish to race and those who come
along for the fun has continued unabated ever since. Therefore in 1989 a
racing division using the Channel Handicap System (CHS) was introduced, so
that those who wanted to race could pit their skills against like-minded
people. On average, some ten boats have joined this class every year,
while the majority of the 100-strong fleet have remained in the cruising
division, in which limited motoring is allowed. The organizers try to
satisfy both sections by providing prizes for performance either on speed
or handicap, as well as other prizes, such as the best family performance,
oldest boat or last arrival. Over the years, many friendships have been
forged in the relaxed atmospheres of Las Palmas or Rodney Bay, and a
profound sense of comradarie has become the hallmark of the ARC. |
Check
for Cherry's Final placings in the ARC 2000
Check out the Archives
(Original Log Book June 2000 - Sep 2000)
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