Hullabaloo Travels

Spectacular Start for the 22nd Atlantic Rally for Cruisers
25/11/2007
The 22nd Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) started in spectacular style today as 235 yachts from 28 different nations sailed across the start line off Las Palmas de Canaria headed for their final destination, 2,700 nautical miles away in Rodney Bay, St Lucia.With a large swell running after two days of strong northerlies, the wind abated and the sun came out just in time for a perfect start. The fresh NNW 20 knot breeze meant fewer spinnakers that usual were to be seen on the start line. Winds are expected to remain from the north with tradewind conditions likely to remain, offering the prospect of a fast passage on the rhumb line route to St.Lucia.

To mark the occasion, a symbolic event called the ARC Flotilla takes place. It begins in Castries Harbor and ends at Rodney Bay Marina or the St. Lucia Yacht Club. We were the guests of our neighbor, Simon Wall on his 60 foot Hinckley sailboat. We served as the lead boat, as the organizer of the event, Keats Compton was aboard.

For more photos:

http://picasaweb.google.com/SaintLuciaYachtClub/ARC2007FlotillaMIASLSLYC?authkey=dvj_FV2Kjv4