Following the continued popularity of the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers), World Cruising Club has launched a brand new transatlantic crossing, the ARC Antigua, to compliment the annual event.

ARC Antigua will start from Marina de Rubicon, Lanzarote on 23rd November 2002 and will cross the Atlantic to Jolly Harbour, Antigua. A prize giving ceremony will then be held in Antigua on 20th December making for a very memorable pre Christmas party on this Caribbean island, part of the northern Leewards Group.

“The ARC has been running now for 17 years,” explains Andrew Bishop, General Manager, World Cruising Club, “and every year we’re reaching our limit on entries earlier and earlier. This year the ARC was full back in May – the earliest on record.

“We’ve had so many disappointed cruisers this year that we decided to put our thinking caps on and look at all the options available to offer the growing number of yachts on our waiting list an alternative. Having spoken to a number of potential cruisers we devised the concept of ARC Antigua, which will have all the components of the ARC yet it will have its own identity, atmosphere and ports.”

In the same way as the ARC was originally conceived, ARC Antigua will be a friendly rally for cruising yachts who wish to make the Atlantic crossing both safer and more enjoyable. The 2,800-mile passage on the NE tradewind route will take on average between 18 and 24 days. Daily radio nets contribute further to the safety of the participants, whilst the presence of experienced sailors is another incentive for those with little offshore experience.

In true ARC style there will also be the wide-ranging programme of entertainment and seminars taking place both before the start and after the finish.

“We’re particularly delighted with the marinas we’ve secured for ARC Antigua,” continues Bishop, “both of which will be able to accommodate a sizeable number of yachts and offer excellent facilities for visiting cruisers.

“Because of the quality of these Marinas we would envisage getting a number of applications from previous ARC participants who enjoyed the event so much that they want to do it again. ARC Antigua will enable them to do this but with new ports and a fresh atmosphere.”

ARC Antigua cruisers will be some of the first to use the brand new Marina Rubicon in Lanzarote, on the south coast of the island, as the event will coincide with the opening of the new marina.

Jolly Harbour in Antigua has 108 serviced slips, a super yacht dock area and virtually unlimited, unserviced sea wall, so space in the popular harbour should not be a problem. As well as the excellent berthing facilities, participants will also be able to take advantage of the extensive boat maintenance facilities of this well established marina plus all the shore side bars, restaurants, shopping centre and sporting facilities which also include an 18 hole golf course.

Entries should be made on the official ARC Antigua entry form, available from World Cruising Club, or as a download from www.worldcruising.com/antigua/index.htm

Although there is no official closing date for entries, entries made before 21 September 2002 receive a discount of 10pc on the boat entry fee.