Not your typical race around the world

A mind-numbing amount of round the world races are currently underway:

• Global Solo Challenge
• Ocean Globe Race
• Clipper Round the World Yacht Race
• ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE-Brest

But for those that want a more leisurely pace and seek to enjoy the sights along the 26000 nm route, the 13th edition of the World ARC circumnavigation rally set sail on January 13 from Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia under bright blue Caribbean skies.

For the 27 yachts that started the 2024-25 edition, the first destination is an 815 nm passage to Santa Marta in Columbia.

“We were all buzzing as we crossed the line,” noted Tom Ogilvie on his Moody 54 Dilema. “Pre-start tension behind us and a good breeze in the sails – long may it continue!”

Adds Lane Jacobs, owner of Bristol 57 Corsair (USA), “I’ve wanted to sail around the world since 1976, and it’s taken me almost 50 years to learn to sail, save the money, get the right boat, and find the time to do it. I can’t tell you how happy I am to be here at last for the start of World ARC.”

From Santa Marta the fleet will explore the San Blas Islands of Panama, before a Panama Canal transit in February and on into the Pacific to Galapagos, French Polynesia, and Oceania.

Helmut and Babsi Lexen are joining World ARC for a second circumnavigation, this time in their new Nautitech 482 Freya (DEU). “We love it so much, particularly the camaraderie among the sailors. Our favorite destination, which we can’t wait to return to, is Fakarava in French Polynesia.”

A total of 37 yachts will take part in the rally over the next 15 months as it sails around the world, with the option of breaking the rally half way in Australia or Indonesia to extend the adventure with independent exploration. Fourteen yachts will leave the rally in Australia or Indonesia with another 11 joining, the majority of which took part in World ARC 2023.

Nineteen of the yachts starting from Saint Lucia sailed with World Cruising Club across the Atlantic, crossing with the 2022 or 2023 editions of the ARC and ARC Plus rallies.

Late starters for leg one include Axonite (NLD), Abide (GBR), and Crazy Horse (USA), all of which are expected to be underway within a day. Esperanza (USA) will join the fleet in Santa Marta.

Sixteen yachts are already signed-up for the next edition of World ARC, which will set sail from the Caribbean in January 2025.

Event details – Entry list – Tracking