Italians at ARC, how the ocean crossing to the Caribbean is going

Like every year, winter comes and the boat goes back to the yard, but there are also those who are lucky enough to have the luxury of wintering in the Caribbean by participating in the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers), a fleet race/cruise that travels 2700 nautical miles from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Saint Lucia. This year 156 boats took part in this Atlantic crossing. 253 boats and 1,300 sailors, from 8 months to 89 years old, in total in the Ocean if we also add the fleet of those participating in the ARC+, which starts from Cape Verde to Grenada. Of these boats 8 are Italian, let’s see how they are doing.

The start of the ARC, little wind from the south

In contrast to typical conditions this season, with northeast winds and formed waves, the start of ARC 2023 from Las Palmas was marked by light winds of 8-10 knots and calm seas. A tactical challenge that marked the first days of the regatta. Those who chose to hold with a more southerly course were rewarded with more favorable wind conditions. Those who, like Alessandro Poggi d’Angelo’s trimaran Neel 43 MimIaGir, chose to keep further north suffered more by finding exceptionally weak winds.

Marco Rodolfi’s Berenice Cube leads, Duffy first in class

At this time most of the fleet has passed Cape Verde, including the Italians’ boats. In first position is Marco Rodolfi‘s Swan 90 (27.71 m) Berenice Cube , the Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde of sailing. Certainly not a neophyte! Already Line Honours at the 2010 ARC with his old Swan 80, he is back with the goal of winning in the competitive IRC class.

Excellent position also for Duffy, Enrico Calvi’s Dufour 34E, leading the Cruising E class, reserved for smaller boats. Duffy along with another Italian boat, Lady Eleonora, David Ceccarelli’s Grand Soleil 34 (10.20 m), are the two smallest boats in the entire ARC 2023.

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Loro Piana Giraglia, Ker 40 Vito 2 on its way to overall victory

The other Italians at the ARC

Besides Berenice Cube, MimIaGir, Duffy and Lady Eleonora, the other Italian boats in the race are: the More 55 Bearbill by Marco Morosi, the Sun Odyssey 52.2 Mizar III by Francesco Da Rios (second in Cruising D class), the Jeanneau 60 Arya by Andrea Guidorzi and the Beneteau First 435 Algol by Vittorio Morbidelli (third class Crusing E).

The first arrivals in Saint Lucia are expected late next week. Real-time tracking can be followed at this link https://www.worldcruising.com/arc/eventfleetviewer.aspx

James Barbaro