Photos/Video: ARC Rally Boats Depart Bermuda

After spending a few days enjoying Bermuda’s hospitality, yachts sailing under the flags of many different nations left Bermuda today [May 17] to make the 1800 nautical mile journey to Horta in the Azores or on to Portsmouth, Virginia.

Most of the group set sail from Tortola in the British Virgin Islands on May 7th as part of the World Cruising Club Spring rallies; ARC Europe and ARC USA. The group were hosted in Bermuda by the St. George’s Dinghy & Sports Club.

42 yachts are participating in the race with 11 of the yachts heading back to the US and the remaining going to the Azores.

Video of the Rally start with some time-lapse footage:

The World Cruising Club website says, “ARC Europe was first run 28 years ago, back in 1988. It was organised by Jimmy Cornell and known as the ‘TransARC’.

“Back then the TransARC started in Antigua and Miami, sailed north to Bermuda and onto the Azores before finishing in Gibraltar.

“It wasn’t until the year 2000 the rally was re-named ‘ARC Europe’ to better reflect its association with the world famous ARC [Atlantic Rally for Cruisers]. ARC Europe continues to appeal to the cruising sailor that wishes to ‘tick the box’ of having crossed the Atlantic.

“There are two key factors that really make ARC Europe & ARC USA so special. The first is the mix of experience, from those sailing on their first World Cruising Club rally to those that have sailed before [often many times] on rallies such as the ARC, ARC+ and ARC Caribbean 1500.

“This year we also welcome those that have recently completed their own circumnavigation with World ARC, in fact there will be 11 World ARC boats among the fleet!

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“The second is the international mix of boats, which soon becomes clear when you walk along the busy pontoons at the start and see all the different country flags flying and also listen to the banter between the crews in the bars.”

The St. George’s Dinghy & Sports Club hosted a party and barbecue for the crews with a pirate costume theme, all in support of ‘Relay for Life’.

The website said, “Many crews have been out and about exploring the islands of Bermuda on scooters, as there are no rental cars, making it down to the city of Hamilton and some as far as the Dockyard to check out the preparations for the Americas Cup next year.

“For many this is their first time here in Bermuda and they are all pleasantly surprised by this gem of a place in the middle of the Atlantic! It is an interesting mix of american and english, tropical and temperate and some of the most well mannered people you will meet. Bermuda is very civilised and very welcoming to everyone, cars will stop and ask if you are lost, people will say good afternoon to everyone in the store when they walk in – it’s just a neat place!”

Click to enlarge photos:

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