The first boat of the ARC 2025 fleet has arrived in Saint Lucia following a fast Atlantic crossing from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Nextgen by Jajo, a Volvo 65, completed the 2700NM in just 10 days, 48 minutes and 51 seconds, to win line honours in the 40th edition of the ARC.
After crossing the finish line, the crew came ashore and were greeted by World Cruising Club and representatives from the Saint Lucia Ministry of Tourism, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority and IGY Rodney Bay Marina.
Summing up his emotions after the rally, Nextgen by Jajo owner and skipper Jelmer Van Beek, said: “Line honours is always a special thing and it’s never easy. We knew we had the fastest boat but you need to excecute it so I’m really proud of the team.
“We had fast sailing day in day out. There was so much downwind sailing and we’ve really enjoyed it.
“It’s been such a nice warm welcome by the ARC team after finishing our Atlantic crossing. After 10 days at sea, we’ve had a nice rum punch and the crew are going to have a shower. We’re really happy to be here.”
Primarily, the ARC is a cruising rally designed to allow sailors to complete ocean passages in a safe and sociable way, however Nextgen by Jajo is a boat designed specifically for racing. With a fully carbon fibre hull and rig, the boat is extremely lightweight and easily sails at speeds of well over 20 knots.
Describing the boat, Jelmer Van Beek explained: “A Volvo 65 is my favourite boat and I have crossed the Atlantic Ocean 8 times on this boat. It’s a fast boat and if you treat it well it can give you a lot of speed and power but you need to be careful because there’s a lot of force in the boat. You always have to be alert and it’s never easy.”
Prior to the boat being known as Nextgen by Jajo it was the ‘Team Brunel’ boat and in 2015 it achieved line honours, as well as what was an ARC record at that time.
Explaining the team’s plans for the Caribbean, Jelmer Van Beek said: “We’re really happy to be back in the Caribbean as I always tell people when you’re a sailor you follow the sun! Here in IGY Rodney Bay Marina the sun is shining.
“Now, the plan is to go to Saint Maarten where we will be there for the Caribbean 600 and the Heineken Regatta. After that, we’ll set sail back to The Netherlands.”
Next to arrive in Saint Lucia will likely be the trimaran, Picomole, skippered by Aldo Fumagalli. They are due to arrive in Saint Lucia on 4 December with ReMax One and La Loevie following shortly afterwards.
As boats start to arrive with greater frequency, the well-renowned ARC social programme will gather momentum as participants will make the most of the Saint Lucian hospitality.
This 40th edition of the ARC has over 800 participants, so it will undoubtedly be a very sociable time until the ARC prizegiving on 20 December. Sailors will enjoy celebrating their achievements and reconnecting with other participants with whom they have formed strong friendships with so far.
