by Curlan Campbell
- 11th edition with 457 crew members representing 31 nationalities
- Oldest participant is 88 years old; youngest participant is 9 months old
- Improvement in number of yachts testimony to Grenada becoming premier sailing destination
World Cruising Club (WCC) has announced its strategic commitment to nurturing and supporting future talent within Grenada’s marine and yachting sector. The UK organisation’s Managing Director, Paul Tetlow, announced following the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers ARC+ Rally race conclusion at the Camper Nicholson Port Louis Marina.
“The ARC+ is becoming a more established and key yachting event on the island of Grenada’s calendar. World Cruising Club seeks to invest in long-term beneficial relationships to promote yachting on the island, particularly around young people’s participation in yachting and water sports and working on projects promoting the sustainability of a marine environment for locals and yachties alike. We’re having conversations now. And these things are in development, and we hope to bring those plans to fruition in the next few years,” Tetlow said.
This year marks the 11th edition of the ARC+ Rally race, with organisers boasting of having the largest-ever ARC+ 2023 fleet, with 457 crew members representing 31 different nationalities. The 3,000NM race saw 95 yachts (68 monohull and 27 multihulls) begin their journey from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Sao Vicente Cape Verde Islands (850NM) and land in Grenada. This year also represents a 30% increase in participation of multihull yachts from the previous year.
While last year’s sailing record time of 9 days in the monohull category was not broken this year, Italia Yachts 15.98 Nessun Dorma finished first and completed the journey in 11 days and 18 hours. Marsaudon ORC50, named Mongoose, one of the quickest performance cruising catamarans, took first place win in the Multihull category, taking 11 days 23 hours to complete the journey.
Tetlow agreed that this year’s ARC+ Rally race is definitely one for the history books. “There was a total of 457 crew members participating, representing 31 different nationalities. Our oldest participant, who was also the oldest skipper, was 88 years old. And then our youngest participants. I’m pleased to say he’s with us this morning, at 9 months old from Pinnacle. In fact, talking about the children participating in ARC+ and family boats, there were 41 participants under the age of 16, sailing on 20 yachts. ARC+ is becoming very popular with the families who are adopting the ARC+ as their route of choice, and as a consequence, our program in the different ports is adapting to those needs.”
Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) Manager of Nautical Development and Sales and Marketing Nikoyan Roberts thanked the organising team for their invaluable support in the seamless delivery of the rally, noting that this year’s vast improvement in the number of yachts is testimony to Grenada becoming a premier destination for sailors from across the world. “This year’s impressive participation is an improvement over 43 yachts in 2021 and 66 yachts in 2022. It is a testimony to Grenada’s growing allure as a destination for sailors and enthusiasts from around the globe. We are not merely witnessing an additional and continuing increase from the 66 yachts in 2022. But we’re seeing a flourishing partnership between Grenada as a preferred yachting destination and the global sailing community,” Roberts said.
Named Yachting Destination of the Year by the Caribbean Travel Awards, Grenada continues to expand its yachting facilities to keep pace with the growing industry. In welcoming news of investment by ARC + into Grenada’s marine sector, Roberts said: “Beyond the sheer spectacle of these majestic vessels, the economic impact of hosting the ARC + is truly noteworthy. This influx of sailors and spectators brings about an economic boost that resonates across our tri-island state, from bustling tours and excursions that showcase our picturesque landscapes to a surge in demand for accommodation, culinary services, and maritime services. The ripple effect is undeniable.”
Roberts added, “ARC + event serves as a catalyst for enhancing our maritime infrastructure as we work together to elevate Grenada as recognition in the global nautical community. The skills and knowledge that we exchange during these events contribute to the development of our local nautical expertise, leaving an enduring legacy for generations to come.”
General Manager Camper Nicholson Port Louis Marina Sara Tremlett reiterated the need to maintain the strong collaboration between key stakeholders that made this year’s ARC+ Rally race successful.
“We love giving a wonderful warm welcome to everybody coming to this amazing island of Grenada. I gather that this year there’s been a record number of catamarans and also a record number of children. And let’s not forget we had two dogs arrive. Each and every one of you who arrived has been greeted by the students of TAMCC, representing the Grenada Tourism Authority. Again, this highlights for strong collaboration required to make such an event such a success…The whole team at Port Louis Marina has worked incredibly hard. He’s working in every department, from housekeeping and gardening to the dock staff and the office administrators. We all try to ensure that visitors here arrive safely on the docks and receive the local information required. And then, in collaboration with Grenada Tourism Authority, we put on the little local village not just for fresh fruits and veg but also to highlight some of the arts and crafts of Grenada,” she outlined.
The official prizegiving and closing ceremony to celebrate the seamanship and the spirit of camaraderie was held on Thursday, 7 December, at Prickly Bay Marina.
