The ARC Race 2026 - Sold out

Day 2: Sunrise at Sea and the First Message from On Board

The first message straight from the boat! Thanks to Starlink (satellite internet), we’ve had our first WhatsApp from on board, and the news is all good.

A great first night

The crew got through their first night at sea and everything is going well. Dinner last night went down a treat, and they were treated to a beautiful sunrise this morning.

Breakfast was about to be served when the message came in, so we can only assume those promised bacon rolls are now being enjoyed!

Motor sailing for now

At the moment Incisor is motor sailing: the sails are up, and the engine is running to give a little extra push while the wind is light. The breeze is building, though, so the engine should be off soon and they’ll be back to proper sailing.

Follow along

You can see where Incisor is right now on the trackers:

More updates soon!

Every thing is good so far… Great sunrise. ⛵

Day 1: Cowes to the Open Sea – Incisor Is Under Way!

Welcome to the Incisor blog! We’ll post regular updates here as Incisor and her crew sail from the Isle of Wight to Las Palmas in Gran Canaria, the first leg of their Atlantic adventure. Please share this with anyone who’d like to follow along.

Follow Incisor live

You can watch the boat’s progress in real time on two trackers. Both update regularly:

Updates will also appear on www.windwardsailing.co.uk.

And they’re off!

After all the planning and preparation, Incisor has finally left Cowes. The sun was shining and a gentle breeze carried her down the Solent and out through the Needles Channel. Everyone on board is excited and happy to finally be on their way.

Derek checked in to say they’ve had a lovely day’s sailing. They’ve just finished a Spaghetti Bolognese dinner, cooked by Summer, so the galley is clearly in good hands.

Heading for France

Incisor has reached the tip of the traffic separation scheme in the English Channel and is now heading straight for Ushant, the island off the north-west tip of France. The wind has shifted a little, so the crew have let the sails out to suit it.

As night falls they’re reducing sail to keep things comfortable in the dark. They’ve also started their watch system: the crew takes turns of 4 hours on deck and 4 hours off so the boat is sailed around the clock and everyone still gets some sleep.

In plain English…

If the sailing lingo is confusing, here’s the short version: conditions are lovely, and the boat and crew are doing really well.

Coming up

The next update should be about this time tomorrow. And the crew already have something to look forward to: bacon rolls for breakfast!

Fair winds, Incisor! ⛵

Sail the Atlantic with Windward Sailing

For over 30 years, Windward Sailing has competed in iconic offshore events such as the bi-annual Fastnet Race and the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers). We bring together passionate sailors who want to race fast, modern yachts — and who share one goal: to win.
Our campaigns have earned numerous trophies, all achieved with mixed crews of individual sailors supported by our professional core team. Each race is a unique blend of performance, teamwork, and adventure on the open ocean.

The Yacht – Incisor

We will be competing in the Race Division aboard our powerful yacht Incisor. A proven offshore performer, Incisor has completed four ARCs — achieving a podium finish every time.
Purpose-built for downwind racing, she’s fully equipped for the trade-wind sleigh ride across the Atlantic. On previous crossings, Incisor has topped 20 knots, thriving in the warm Caribbean breeze.

The Crew

Our professional skipper and mate bring decades of offshore experience and tactical knowledge. The rest of the crew will be made up of enthusiastic sailors like you — keen to learn, race hard, and share the adventure.
Training and coaching are central to the campaign. By the end, every crew member will have the skills and confidence to join any race team anywhere in the world.

ARC Package – SOLD OUT

Your ARC campaign includes:

Solent-based training weekend

ARC Race (Gran Canaria → St Lucia)

RORC Cherbourg Race

Passage from Cowes to Gran Canaria

Race entry fees

All food & drink on board whilst sailing

Mooring fees & general boat expenses

Fully qualified skipper & mate

Official crew shirt

 

The Campaign

Start: 22 November 2026 – Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
Finish: Rodney Bay, St Lucia (≈ 2,700 miles)
Organised by the World Cruising Club, the ARC is the world’s most celebrated trans-Atlantic rally — and a true sailor’s challenge.