World ARC 2017/18 getting ready for the start

by World Cruising on 6 Jan 2017 All the World ARC 2017/18 fleet is now in Rodney Bay Marina in St Lucia; there is a full programme of social and seminar activities to allow crews to get to know one another and to learn more about their exciting year ahead. The World ARC crews met for the first time Monday evening at a Welcome Drinks Party at Buzz Restaurant, in Rodney Bay, it was the first good opportunity to meet so many of the other 26 crews arrived.

They all enjoyed the rum punches and local Piton beers, and they introduced themselves to the rest of the fleet. The other rally preparations such as registration, safety equipment check and fitting of the Yellowbricks have all continued to ensure everyone is ready for the start.

Some crews took a day off from their usual routines as they went on the Rainforest Canopy Adventure Tour in the south east of Saint Lucia. It’s an exhilarating activity as participants zip through the jungle canopy on high lines wires from platform to platform.

Wednesday's schedule was packed with briefings about the Rally so that crews could learn more about their new adventure. Crews attended the Rally Briefing to learn more about how the Rally operates followed by the Rally route briefing to learn more about the exciting months ahead. Chris Tibbs began the afternoon sessions with a look at where to find weather on the World ARC route and what are the weather considerations and patterns at each stage. He ended the day with a seminar on downwind sailing techniques.

After this informative day, crews were invited by the management team of IGY Rodney Bay Marina to Welcome Drinks.

IGY Rodney Bay Marina is the host port of World ARC in Saint Lucia, Sean Devaux, General Manager of IGY Rodney Bay Marina, welcomed the crews to the Marina and wished them well on their circumnavigation.

With such a busy day on Wednesday, Thursday’s programme is a lot lighter, allowing crews to complete their own preparations on board such as provision and resolving last minute equipment issues before the start of the leg to Colombia, Saturday 7th January.