You are planning on participating in the next Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) or have already enrolled for this popular cruising race? Congratulations! You'll surely be having a great time!

As most of the approx. 2,700 nm from the start in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to St. Lucia in the Caribbean will be in the trade winds and thus on a downwind course, you should pay great attention to choosing a downwind sail (or a set thereof) that best suits your yacht and rig, crew ability, safety needs, and personal style.

ISTEC's ARC representative Thomas Wibberenz

Mobile: +49-171-6824011
Email: thomas@pointsofsail.de

Special service is provided to all ISTEC customers amongst the ARC participants. While it is a company philosophy to provide a free training session with every newly purchased sail, you may find it useful to do an extra training session for you and your crew during the week before the start in Las Palmas. ISTEC's official ARC representative Thomas Wibberenz is at your service. With over 100,000 nm of experience he is also very knowledgable about other bluewater sailing questions you may have.

Thomas will also stay in St. Lucia to celebrate your achievement with you, to learn about your experiences with the Parasailor, and to help with any repairs that perhaps need to be done.

The World Cruising Club (WCC) organises a series of cruising rallies. Founded in 1986 by cruising sailing pioneer Jimmy Cornell, it started off with the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) but soon extended its activities to the ARC Europe, the World ARC, the Rally Portugal and the Classic Malts. The WCC is run out of Cowes, UK, and has national representatives in many other countries.

Organised by the World Cruising Club, the ARC has not only become the most popular way to cross the Atlantic. It is also the largest transocean sailing event in the world. Starting each November in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, every year the ARC brings together over 200 yachts from all over the world. The Caribbean destination is Rodney Bay in St. Lucia, one of the most beautiful islands in the Lesser Antilles. The 2,700 nautical mile passage on the NE tradewind route takes on average between 14 and 21 days.

Conceived as a friendly race for cruising yachts to make the Atlantic crossing both safer and more enjoyable, participating yachts must carry a range of safety equipment including a liferaft, EPIRB and VHF radio. Daily radio nets contribute further to the safety of participants. The presence of experienced sailors is another incentive for those with little offshore experience.

The ARC has a special flavour, which successfully combines racers with cruisers, old with young, and provides entertainment for all. A wide ranging programme of entertainment takes place both before the start and after the finish.

For more information on the ARC, visit the Official ARC Website.