More than 1,000 cruising sailors are gathering in Las Palmas ahead of the two transatlantic rallies organised by World Cruising Club, with departures scheduled for 8 and 22 November.
The events will take participants to Grenada and Saint Lucia respectively, following two different routes across the Atlantic. Crews are completing their final preparations before embarking on passages ranging from 2,700 nautical miles on the direct route to Saint Lucia to a two-stage voyage via Cape Verde.
Irish sailors have regularly participated in the ARC rallies, although Irish representation in the 2026 fleets has yet to be confirmed. Previous Afloat coverage has included Irish participation in the transatlantic event, including Brian and Sinead Bourke's Contest 50CS Breegeimel, which was entered for the 2025 ARC crossing to Saint Lucia.
ARC+ Fleet Heads for Cape Verde on 8 November
The ARC+ fleet of 80 yachts will depart Las Palmas on Sunday, 8 November, bound for Mindelo in Cape Verde. The first leg covers about 850 nautical miles and is expected to take five to seven days.
Following a stopover to explore the islands, replenish supplies and prepare for the ocean crossing, the fleet will depart Cape Verde on 20 November for Grenada. The second leg covers about 2,150 nautical miles, and crews are expected to spend 12 to 16 days at sea before reaching Port Louis Marina.
127 Yachts Enter Direct ARC Crossing to Saint Lucia
The main Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), first held in 1986, will start from Las Palmas on Sunday, 22 November.
A fleet of 127 yachts is expected to undertake the direct 2,700-nautical-mile crossing to Saint Lucia, with most crews anticipated to complete the passage in 18 to 21 days. The rally programme will conclude with a final prize-giving ceremony in Saint Lucia on 19 December.
As Afloat reported during the 2025 ARC, the previous edition attracted 145 yachts and more than 800 sailors for the direct crossing. This year's 127-yacht entry represents a reduction of 18 boats, although the combined ARC and ARC+ programmes will still bring more than 1,000 participants to Gran Canaria.
World Cruising Club Managing Director Paul Tetlow said the approaching departures represented an important milestone for crews who had often spent years preparing for an Atlantic crossing.
"Many crews have prepared for years to reach this point, so the start of the rally programme in Las Palmas is a major milestone for them," he said.
Tetlow said the organisers had arranged programmes combining final preparations for ocean sailing with social activities designed to bring participating crews together.
"There is always exceptional camaraderie among the fleet, and during the rally it is common for lifelong friendships to be formed among the participants," he said.
Safety Preparations and International Crews
Participants from more than 39 nations are expected across the two rallies, with ages ranging from two to 82 years.
Before departure, crews will have access to ocean sailing seminars, practical safety demonstrations and technical guidance. World Cruising Club has also organised evening gatherings, themed parties and opening ceremonies featuring national flags and local bands.
Flags Flying – Sailors from around the world parade through Las Palmas de Gran Canaria during the 2025 ARC+ opening ceremony, accompanied by a local marching band. More than 39 nations will be represented across the 2026 ARC and ARC+ rallies. Photo: Jesús de León
During the Atlantic passages, participating yachts will receive daily weather forecasts to help with passage planning and can contact rally organisers throughout their crossings.
Following the live streaming of the ARC's 40th edition in 2025, World Cruising Club plans to extend its online coverage to both rallies this year.
"Last year, for the 40th edition of the ARC, we brought the excitement of the start to new audiences, live streaming the event on our YouTube channel and Facebook page to viewers from around the world," Tetlow said.
"Following its success, we plan to expand this initiative across both rallies to help share these impressive spectacles."
The gathering will also bring significant activity to Las Palmas, where the arrival of the international fleet has become an established feature of the autumn sailing calendar.
For participating crews, the coming weeks will mark the culmination of extensive preparations for one of recreational sailing's best-known Atlantic passages.
