Announcing ARC January

ARC ocean sunset! © ARC Atlantic Rally for Cruisers

Demand from sailors worldwide for spaces in the 2021 Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC 2021) has been unprecedented in the 35 year history of the world's largest offshore cruising rally. All spaces on both existing routes (ARC direct and ARC+ Cape Verde) setting sail in November 2021 were fully subscribed in just 3 months of opening, resulting in World Cruising Club reluctantly closing the entry list in early December 2020.

Having considered many options of how to satisfy the wishes of sailors to take part in this international cruising rally, and listened to feedback from them, World Cruising Club has launched a new, later start date as an alternative to the classic November departure.

ARC January will set sail from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on Sunday 9 January 2022, allowing crews to enjoy Christmas and New Year in Europe before setting off on that Atlantic adventure. Following the classic trade wind route, direct from Gran Canaria to Saint Lucia, boats can expect a fast passage in well-established trade winds, with less risk of calms during the crossing. Cruising sailors joining ARC January will benefit from all the discounts associated with participating in the ARC and World Cruising Club's extensive experience of delivering transocean rallies. The programme includes a full week of activities, seminars, and social functions before the departure in Las Palmas, weather forecasts and tracking during the crossing and arrival activities providing a warm welcome to the Caribbean in Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia, all included in the entry fee.

ARC January will be limited to 75 cruising boats, and will be run very much in the spirit of the ARC, maintaining the unique atmosphere that has developed within the rally over the preceding 35 years. On this new route there will be no competitive racing, only fun results calculated for those who'd like to join in.