The ARC - Gran Canaria to St Lucia
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Windward Sailing has for the last 14 years successfully competed in numerous offshore races including the infamous bi-annual Fastnet race and of course the ARC We gather together like-minded sailors who not only want to compete on fast modern race yachts but also want to go that bit further and win. Over the last few years we have campaigned our race yachts, and have won numerous trophies - all achieved with individual sailors on board. We do always provide a core professional crew who know the yacht inside out and therefore can spend their time teaching and showing and encouraging crewmembers how to get the best from the boat and to mould the crew into a winning team.
After a hugely successful ARC 2003, 2004 2005 and 2007 we are planning again to take part in the ARC on 23rd November 2008
History of the Race
The ARC race has become a very successful event since its conception 25 years ago. Originally conceived as a friendly and safe way for cruising yachts to make the transatlantic passage, in the company of like-minded sailors and yachts. Since those early cruising days the event has become far more competitive with the challenge of the Atlantic crossing going high up on sailors ‘must do’ list. For many the Fastnet Race has been completed and they have had to look further for the next goal.
The racing division of the ARC is run under the control of the Royal Ocean Racing Club in conjunction with the main organising body of the World Cruising Club. The 2008 race should be very exciting as Venomous with her exceptional all-round sailing ld be the yacht to win the racing division for a second time this year.
The course has remained the same for many years and follows the same trade winds that Christopher Columbus sailed by many centuries ago. Luckily nowadays the yachts are more technologically advanced and have all the modern navigation and weather equipment to make the crossing as efficient as it is possible to be. Predominantly a downwind race, So with Venomous there should be no problems with making the most of what the wind has to throw at us.
The Yacht
Venomous is a sophisticated, 60 ft. long high performance race yacht but with a comfortable interior. She comes equipped a sail wardrobe of 20 sails but also air condioning which is a must when sailing in the tropics. We competed in the ARC in 2007 and won the Invitation Racing Division (yachts 60 ft. and over). She was also the third yacht to finish the course with the yachts ahead of her both having used their engines.
We have outlined our campaign plan for those who wish to compete with us onboard Venomous. We believe that this is a tried and tested way of bonding the crew and boat.
The Crew
The yacht will come with skipper and mate who will have extensive knowledge of the boat and all aspects of offshore yacht racing and tactics. The team will be then be made up of people such as you who are enthusiastic about sailing, racing, and winning. Full training in racing comes with the package and our aim at the end of the campaign is that any one of the crew members will have the ability and confidence to step onto any race boat and become a key member of any team.
The ARC Package £3,450
| Training week-end Solent based |
Food and drink on-board |
| RORC Cherbourg Race |
General boat expenses |
| Passage from Cowes to Gran Canaria |
Mooring fees |
| ARC Race |
Crew shirt |
| Fully qualified skipper and mate |
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| Race entry fees |
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The Campaign
The ARC race itself starts on November 23rd 2008 from Las Palmas in Gran Canaria and finishes 2700 miles later in Rodney Bay, St Lucia. The race as always is organised by the World Cruising Club.
ARC QUALIFYING RACES AND DATES
Training Weekend (Date to be confirmed)
The training weekend will be based in the Solent. The weekend will be used for sorting out crew positions and generally getting to know each other. During the weekend everyone will get a chance to try all aspects of sailing the yacht and to find out whether offshore racing is for them. Venomous is technically a very advanced yacht and we need each member of the crew to be fully conversant with all aspects of the yacht and her gear. For instance everybody will need to be competent on hoisting and trimming any one of the spinnakers of which we have a choice of 5 therefore the training weekends will be physically demanding.
The ARC Delivery - 16th October
The ARC Race starts in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. Venomous will set off from Cowes on 16th October. This passage should take around 7 to 8 days and is an ideal time to get to know how the boat really feels and works for long periods whilst not in racing mode. Time can be spent fine-tuning the yacht and equipment so that she may be in the best possible condition for the Trans Atlantic adventure to follow.
The ARC - Gran Canaria to St Lucia - 23rd November
The start of the ARC just offshore of Las Palmas is a great spectacle with hundreds of spectator craft and a Spanish warship at anchor as the start vessel. It is certainly an emotional moment for all those crew involved in the build up to this big day. There will be much jockeying for position in the first few hours as we all race down the eastern side of Gran Canaria, but in a very short space of time most of the fleet will be left behind. Once clear of the Canary Islands the skill of the Navigator will be tested as we try and set the best course that will pick up the stronger North Easterly trade winds. Normally once we are a day or so out we will truly be running down the rhumb line at over 12 knots making good over three hundred miles a day. As we gobble up the miles the weather will be getting warmer and warmer and if last years race is anything to go by we will be sailing in shorts by day and night. The daily routine of sailing this yacht at as near optimum as we can will also include the morning ritual of removing the stranded flying fish from all parts of the deck.
All to soon the race will be over and the magical Caribbean island of St Lucia will be sighted. At the finish in Rodney Bay we will be welcomed with Rum Punch as we cross the line. This sets the scene for the coming days with a party every night.
Payment Plan
If you would like to sign up with us to do our ARC Campaign, please complete and return this booking form.
We are once again offering a staged payment plan, which will be 20% on booking, and then the balance spread out over 5 months from 1 July to 1 November.
We hope that you have found this of some interest and if you would like more in-depth information please do not hesitate to contact by telephone, fax, email or letter. We look forward to hearing from you soon. Once we have received your booking form and deposit we can confirm your place with us on our ARC campaign.
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