Please select your home edition
Edition
RYA Membership

2023-24 World ARC - Next stop, San Blas Islands

by World Cruising Club 20 Jan 2023 22:53 UTC
2023-24 World ARC © World Cruising Club

The 2023-2024 World ARC fleet had a fantastic start today, with a gentle 15-18 knot breeze pushing them over the line in glorious sunshine.

This is the second leg of the Rally, with the fleet sailing from Santa Marta, Colombia to Shelter Bay, Panama via the San Blas Islands. The first boats are expected to arrive into San Blas on Friday 20th January, and then into Shelter Bay Marina from the 25th January.

The extraordinarily long start line between Marina Santa Marta and the Isla El Morro afforded the fleet plenty of space to manoeuvre into some stronger breeze as they approached the line, and they got off to a cracking start in some great conditions, mostly hitting the line on a beam reach. It was quite a spectacle to behold.

The line was clear at the start, then first across the line was Outremer 51 Leviathan, skippered by Eric Devaney. Soon after them followed Mistral of Portsmouth, an Oyster 56 (skippered by Chris Parker) and Pachamama, a Lagoon 620 skippered by Juan Nacarato. The rest of the fleet came seconds later, snapping at the leader's heels.

The fleet passed the Punta de Gaira headland and headed off towards Punta Faro, before turning WSW towards the stunning San Blas Islands, next on their list to explore. Following that, they will head to Shelter Bay, Panama, to transit the canal on their circumnavigation.

Approximately 100 crew have spent the last six days in Santa Marta, the first stop on their circumnavigation, with many boats welcoming new crew aboard before they transit the Panama Canal. Those spending time ashore enjoyed interesting tours, evening events, delicious food, and a vibrant culture and nightlife.

Related Articles

World ARC 2024-25 concludes in Saint Lucia
The 26,000 nautical mile adventure round the world concludes World ARC 2024-25 finished on Saturday in IGY Rodney Bay Marina, Saint Lucia, from where the boats set sail 15 months and 26,000NM ago. In total, 330 people aged from a toddler to over eighty sailed on one or more stages of the rally. Posted on 23 Apr
World ARC 2025-26 in the Galapagos
From Doldrums to Delights The World ARC 2025- 26 fleet is slowly gathering in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz. Posted on 28 Feb
ARC 2025 - 40 years of transatlantic rallies
Following in the wake of 8,000 boats The crews who will set sail from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria this November will follow in the wake of 7,890 yachts and over 30,000 people who have sailed the rally since 1986. Posted on 15 Feb
Great Prizegiving in Santa Marta for World ARC
The prize-giving ceremony for the first leg The time in Santa Marta seemed to fly by, many happy memories were made and everyone had a great time. Posted on 21 Jan
An exciting week ahead in Santa Marta
The programme kicked off this morning with a tour to a coffee farm and waterfalls After a couple of packed days with arrivals in IGY Santa Marta, Colombia, the programme kicked off this morning with a tour to a coffee farm and waterfalls. Posted on 18 Jan
The 39th ARC comes to a close in Saint Lucia
2,700NM of ocean memories, achievments and reflection The ARC rally ethos of collective endeavour, friendship and support took centre stage at the awards ceremony on Saturday night in Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia. Posted on 22 Dec 2024
12th ARC+ Rally comes to a close in Grenada
Achievements recognised, cherished memories, and lasting friendships The final gathering of the 12th edition of the ARC+ transatlantic cruising rally took place last night in Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina in Grenada. Posted on 13 Dec 2024
ARC+ 2024 - Exploring & celebrating in Grenada
All boats now safely docked in Camper & Nicholson Port Louis Marina All boats who took the ARC+ start from Mindelo, Cape Verde Islands are now safely docked in Camper & Nicholson Port Louis Marina. Posted on 11 Dec 2024
ARC Season arrives in the Caribbean
First yachts make landfall: ARC+ in Greanada and ARC in Saint Lucia The ARC and ARC+ transatlantic rally yachts are arriving in the Caribbean. Both rallies started in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in November, with the ARC+ fleet sailing to Grenada via Cape Verde, and the ARC fleet sailing direct to Saint Lucia. Posted on 10 Dec 2024
World Cruising Club Statement about Ocean Breeze
33-year-old Swedish sailor Dag Eresund was lost overboard on Monday It is with great sadness that World Cruising Club confirms that 33-year-old Swedish sailor Dag Eresund was lost overboard from yacht Ocean Breeze on Monday 2 December at 02:27 UTC. Posted on 3 Dec 2024
Crewsaver 2021 Safetyline FOOTERStoneways Marine 2021 - FOOTEROcean Safety 2023 - New Identity - FOOTER