By Jimmy Cornell
The launch of the first transatlantic rally in 1986 changed the global sailing scene forever, and as founder of the concept, it is one of the main achievements of my life.
From the very beginning, one of the primary aims of the ARC was to provide a framework of safety and support to sailors who lacked offshore experience, and this continues to be one of its main attractions. This factor alone is a great incentive to join a trans-ocean rally for those who do not have offshore sailing experience.
The immediate success of the annual ARC inspired similar rallies all over the world and I am credited with having conceived the. One of the main advantages of cruising rallies, whether across an ocean or around the world, is that the organisers take care of formalities, docking, weather and routing information, transits of the Panama and Suez Canals — essentially, all logistical matters involved in an offshore event of this nature, more recently including satellite tracking of the fleet while on passage.
There is also the safety-in-numbers factor and being able to get help or advice in an emergency from fellow participants. A fixed schedule imposes a certain discipline. As some of the participants are businesspeople, retired or close to retirement, they appreciate this aspect and the fact that they can delegate responsibility, as they normally did in their professional lives.
There have been many changes in the 27 years since I stopped my involvement with the ARC. What I find most objectionable is that what started as an event for cruising sailors has been allowed to become a convenient backdrop for racing boats, their owners boasting to have been successful in the largest trans-ocean event in the world.
Nonetheless, such rallies continue to provide their participants not only the opportunity to cross the oceans in safety, but also to come in contact with the people of the countries visited.
The various prestart activities of these events is another attraction. There are preparatory seminars on practical matters, safety demonstrations, exclusive forums for female participants, various activities for children, as well as excursions to local attractions.
The success of the ARC served as an inspiration for the first round-the-world rally in 1991. Having briefly mentioned the idea to a number of ARC participants, by the late 1980s I knew that such a rally was feasible. This was instantly confirmed when the project was launched and the maximum number of participants (40 yachts over 40 feet) was quickly reached and a waiting list started.
The route and timing of that rally was chosen carefully to take advantage of favorable seasons and weather conditions along the projected route. This has continued to be the basic rule in all the world rallies since.
Looking back to the first ARC in 1986, and the nearly 50 sailing events that have followed, I am very happy that my rallies have provided the framework that has allowed so many sailors to cross the oceans in safety. It is a great satisfaction to know that sailors in those events have had the opportunity to come in close contact with the people of the countries visited in a spirit of friendship and goodwill.
Most importantly, the rallies have given thousands of sailors the chance to enjoy the beauty of the world and its oceans before the catastrophic changes that are now threatening our planet.
To learn more about activities and publications by ocean voyager Jimmy Cornell, log on to cornellsailing.com.
High Latitude Challenge
To mark the 40th anniversary of the ARC transatlantic rally, I’ve launched an event aimed at anyone interested in joining other like-minded sailors on a voyage to the exciting high-latitude destinations of Antarctica and the Northwest Passage. The route of the High Latitude Challenge is timed to benefit from favorable wind and weather conditions, as well as safe seasons. Two essential factors that were taken into account are the best time to sail to Antarctica (January–February), and to transit the NW Passage (July–August). Equally critical is avoiding the tropical storm seasons in both hemispheres. The resulting clockwise route, starting in September 2026 from Cherbourg, in France, is timed to encounter favorable conditions throughout. cornellsailing.com/high-latitude-challenge-2026-2027/ — J.C.
The Bluewater Journeys of Jimmy Cornell
38 transatlantic rallies
2 transpacific rallies
6 round the world rallies:
– 1991-1992
– 1994-1995
– Expo 98 1997-1998
– Millennium Odyssey 1998 – 2000
– Blue Planet Odyssey 2014 – 2017
– World Odyssey 2021 – 2024
Hong Kong Challenge round the world race 1995 – 1997
“Simply the best way to cross the Atlantic.” – Gill Duncan
ARC’s Happy Repeat Offenders
By Elaine Lembo
Crews who returned in 2025 for the 40th running of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers include:
Sandvita (SWE)
- Beneteau First 47.7
- Lars Hedman
Lars sailed in the ARC 15 times before 2025, including as owner and skipper of Sandvita, a Beneteau First 47.7, every year since 2014, and as skipper of Thindra, a Swan 59, for three years from 2009.
Adrenalina (GBR)
- J/130
- Gill and Lisa Duncan
Gill Duncan sailed as a child in ARC 1991 with his parents on their Ovni 45, Tin Lizzie. Gill’s father knew ARC founder Jimmy Cornell well; they each bought aluminium-hulled Ovnis at the same time and remained in communication with one another about the boats over the years. As an adult, Gill sailed as skipper in ARC 2012 on the Grand Soleil 52 Fabiola, and in 2025 returned with wife, Lisa, and friends aboard Adrenalina, a J/130. Crewmate Stephen Robinson is an experienced cruiser/racer, former medical officer, and another ARC veteran.
The Duncans love the sense of security that they get from sailing with the rally. “It always amazes me that 150 boats leaving from the same spot and arriving at the same spot can disappear after 23 hours at sea, spread across a stream toward the Caribbean, by the Atlantic. It makes you realize how small we are.”
He adds: “We felt we didn’t need the ARC to cross the Atlantic, but we wouldn’t have considered doing it outside the ARC. We love the social side of it. We are godparents to a 2012 ARC-couple’s daughter. I tell everyone that it is simply the best way to cross the Atlantic. Our other great friends from the 2012 ARC are also coming back on ARC+ on Akuna, a Nautitech 40 cat. Last time they crossed as newlyweds, this time with their three kids.”
Madrigal (USA)
- Farr 50 pilothouse
- John and Angela DiMatteo
John and Angela DiMatteo circumnavigated with World ARC 2018-19 and completed a transatlantic with ARC Europe 2022. After three years cruising the Mediterranean, they are returning to the Caribbean.
“World Cruising Club’s World ARC program allowed me to go from working full time as a partner in a large New York City law firm to sailing around the world with my wife in six months, without a professional crew,” DiMatteo says.
