The 13th edition of ARC+ set sail from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on 9 November, as more than 400 sailors embarked on the first leg of their transatlantic adventure.
Departing the Port of Las Palmas to cheers from friends, family, and local spectators, the fleet crossed the start line half a nautical mile south of the port. The Spanish customs patrol vessel Condor served as the ARC+ Committee Vessel. At 12:45 UTC, the 30 multihulls taking part crossed the line, followed by the 56-strong Cruising and Open Divisions at 13:00.
This year’s route takes sailors on an 850-nautical-mile passage south to Mindelo in the Cape Verde Islands, followed by a 2,150-nautical-mile ocean crossing to Grenada in the Caribbean.
Fleet and Participants
A total of 86 boats from 26 countries are competing in ARC+ 2025 — comprising 56 monohulls, 28 catamarans, and 2 trimarans. The largest yacht is Anastasia (JEY), a Fountaine Pajot Alegria 67 (20.36m), while the smallest is Restless of Stornoway (GBR), a Rustler 36 (10.77m).
The most represented manufacturers in this year’s fleet are Fountaine Pajot (7 yachts), Lagoon (6), and Oyster (6).
In total, 422 participants from 30 countries are registered for the rally. The United Kingdom leads with 21 boats, followed by Germany (8) and the United States (6). Participants range in age from 1 to 78 years old, underscoring the rally’s family-friendly and multigenerational appeal.
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At Sea and Beyond
A large swell made for a slightly challenging start, with sailors facing steady northeasterly winds of 15–18 knots. “The start went really well today, marking a spectacular end to a very enjoyable programme here in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria,” said World Cruising Club Managing Director Paul Tetlow. “The fleet made a real spectacle as they headed south down the east coast of the island. The wind conditions for the next few days promise steady sailing, which should allow crews to settle into a good routine at sea,” Tetlow continued.
Ahead of the start, Robin Bader, sailing aboard the Excess 11 Kasafari—one of the smallest multihulls in the fleet—shared, “Preparations have gone really well. We were surprised by how much provisioning was needed; I’ve never bought that amount of food before! The ARC+ programme gives you confidence, as you can talk with experts and other participants who are also doing their first Atlantic crossing.”
“I’ve been overwhelmed by all the friendships we’ve made in just a few weeks here in Las Palmas,” said the crew of the Sunbeam 53 Vision before leaving the dock. “It gives us confidence and joy to be part of this big sailing family. Fair winds and following seas to all—see you in Cape Verde with many exciting stories to tell!”
Division Highlights
In the Multihull Division, Nick Phillips and family aboard their Lagoon 60 Nicara, along with Jean Jullien’s new Outremer 55-2 Enjoy the Silence, enjoyed a strong start. William Tipper’s Outremer 45 Melusy was also vying for position as the 30-strong multihull fleet began their Atlantic adventure.
The Cruising and Open Divisions saw a competitive start at 13:00 UTC, with nearly half the boats crossing the line within the first minute. Shortly after, XoXo, a British Oyster 595 skippered by Richard Hutchings, led the Cruising Division, followed by Linn Eve Krogholm’s Norwegian Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50DS Eveline and Ignacio Suárez’s Spanish Wauquiez 55 Gorila.
The first leg to Cape Verde will take most boats between five and seven days. Upon arrival in Mindelo, crews will rest and replenish supplies before departing for Grenada on 21 November. The second leg, typically 14 to 18 days, will conclude in Grenada — where sailors will celebrate their Atlantic crossing at the ARC+ prizegiving on 11 December.
Arrival in Grenada will mark a major milestone for participants, who will be welcomed by the island’s famed Caribbean hospitality before reuniting with fellow sailors to celebrate their achievement.
Information for Editors
ARC+ 2025 Schedule
- 9 November: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria → Mindelo, Cape Verde Islands (850NM)
- 21 November: Mindelo → Grenada (2,150NM)
- 11 December: ARC+ Prizegiving in Grenada
Sponsors and Supporters
ARC+ 2025 is sponsored by Turismo de Gran Canaria and the Grenada Tourism Authority, with additional support from the Port Authority of Las Palmas, the City Hall of Las Palmas, and Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina.
About World Cruising Club
World Cruising Club (WCC) was founded in 1987 by Jimmy Cornell following the success of the first Atlantic Rally for Cruisers in 1986. After two changes of ownership, the company is now owned and managed by Paul and Suzana Tetlow, supported by a small, dedicated team based in Cowes, UK, and a global network of the famous yellow shirts who assist at rally destinations worldwide.
WCC organizes the world’s leading offshore cruising rallies, including:
- ARC – Gran Canaria to Saint Lucia. First run in 1986, attracting over 150 boats annually, including an IRC racing division.
- ARC+ – Gran Canaria to Grenada via Cape Verde. First held in 2013, with a typical fleet of 90 boats.
- ARC Europe – From Sint Maarten or the US East Coast to Bermuda, then via the Azores to Portugal. First run in 2000, averaging 30 boats.
- World ARC – A 26,000NM circumnavigation beginning and ending in the Caribbean. The first event took place in 2008 and now runs annually.
- ARC Portugal – First sailed in 1995, crossing the Bay of Biscay and day-sailing down the Portuguese coast to Lagos.
- ARC Baltic – Returning in 2026, this 1,000NM rally cruises from Kiel, Germany to Bullandö, Sweden, offering spectacular Baltic sailing.
