Atlantic Rally for Cruisers: Racing across the Atlantic - "First Lady" crosses the finish line

However, the majority sailed in the cruising division. Of the total of 20 German ARC boats, Thomas Hummel's "First Lady" was the only one in the regatta classification. The skipper and his crew needed 19 days and a good four hours to sail around 3,200 miles.

After the Start on 20 November in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria have many yachts have now reached their destination of St Lucia. However, quite a few are still at sea and will spend the Christmas holidays on board. The last arrivals are currently expected at the beginning of January.

Meanwhile, the Sister event ARC Plus officially ended with an awards ceremony in Grenada. Over 400 sailors on 91 boats took part in the rally, which led to the Caribbean with a stopover in Cape Verde.

A total of 3,000 nautical miles will be travelled. 850 of these are on the route from Gran Canaria to Mindelo. The crews use the stopover for repairs and final preparations for the next 2,150 nautical miles, while others spend a few days exploring the islands.

This version of the ARC is particularly popular with families and crews with more time. However, there are also sailors in the ARC Plus who want to leave the Atlantic in their wake as quickly as possible. In 2022, the Italian Mylius 60 "Fra Diavolo" by Vincenzo Addessis achieved this in the Cruising Division category. She was only underway for nine days and just under six hours.

More on the topic:

• ATLANTIC RALLY FOR CRUISERS:Great pictures from the ARC launch in the Caribbean
• ATLANTIC RALLY FOR CRUISERS:Fast ride across the ocean - "A real thrill"
• VIA CAPE VERDE TO THE CARIBBEAN:What makes the ARC Plus so appealing