ARC Arrives - Caribbean Compass

JANUARY 2008 CARIBBEAN COMPASS PAGE 18
The only 100-ton travel lift in this part of the
Caribbean, servicing yachts up to 95' in length.
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—Continued from previous page
James Anderson of the British Contest 40 Cleone did the ARC in 2005, and will join
other entrants in World ARC this month. But he decided it would be a shame to miss
Barbados, which hosted the ARC finish from 1986 to ‘89, so he crossed the Atlantic
independently this time and made his landfall there. In contrast to the hubbub in
Rodney Bay, he found only half a dozen yachts in Carlisle Bay. “We had a great time,”
he told Compass, “there’s lots to see and do, friendly people and a beautiful anchorage.”
He adds that the inner
basin in Bridgetown would
make an excellent yacht harbor.
James’ 2005-2006 cruising
season in the Windwards and
Leewards, however, was typical
of what many ARCers will experience
this year, with highlights
being Old Year’s Night in Bequia
(“fantastic party; we met friends
and went from place to place
along the waterfront. One of our
sons came home late, the other
at almost dawn!”) and racing on
a friend’s boat in Antigua Sail
Week. In 2006, Cleone returned
eastward across the Atlantic
with ARC Europe, which leaves
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Out of the Water Storage Up to 95 Feet
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Solferino’s owner and his wife raise a glass to a
successful ARC — three cheers for a good boat,
a good crew, good preparations, and good fun at
both ends!
annually in May from Jolly Harbour, Antigua.
Whether crews were winding down after their Atlantic crossing, gearing up for a
circumnavigation, or slipping into island time for the foreseeable future, Rodney Bay
was buzzing. Andrew Bishop, Managing Director of the ARC organizing body World
Cruising Club, told Compass, “ARC 2007 participants have experienced a wide range
of conditions and challenges during their Atlantic crossing and have arrived in St.
Lucia in faster than usual overall times. All the boats are staying in St. Lucia longer
than usual with the marina bursting at the seams, creating a fantastic atmosphere
at the end of the event.”
Martin Lucas of Island Global Yachting, which purchased Rodney Bay Marina last
year, tells Compass that comprehensive rebuilding of the docks is planned, with the
goal of being ready for the arrival of ARC 2008 in December. “Be patient — it’s going
to be worth it!”
Outside the marina, the whole area around Rodney Bay Lagoon was buzzing, too,
as exemplified by Buzz restaurant’s annual Monday night ARC cocktail party, a
“seafood fiesta” at Spinnakers on Reduit Beach, the Fun Day dinghy races at St.
Lucia Yacht Club, an ARC costume party on Pigeon Island, the marina manager’s
party, plus specially arranged shopping tours, lectures on local culture and
Caribbean cruising, steelband entertainment and more, culminating in the gala ARC
prizegiving ceremony. Stamina was required for more than the crossing!
This wasn’t the easiest ARC ever, but perhaps that made the post-landfall activities
in December 2007 especially exuberant. As Graham Roxburgh of Solferino
summed it up: “Participants are enriched by the trip.”
For more information; a list of event, port and corporate sponsors; and full results
visit www.worldcruising.com/arc.
Introducing the NEW
Errol Flynn Marina & Boatyard
PORT ANTONIO, JAMAICA
Contact John Louis • 876-715-6044 • 876-873-4412
e-mail: info@errolflynnmarina.com • VHF Channel 16
www.errolflynnmarina.com Navigating the good life
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� Protected Harbor
� Depth Up to 25 Feet at Face Dock
� Open Air Market 1 Minute by Foot
� Downtown Nightlife
� 24 Hour Security Gated Marina
� Restaurant, Beach Bar & Grille