The 2026 ARC+ transatlantic cruising rally has departed Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with 78 yachts and 355 sailors from 30 nations beginning the first stage of their Atlantic voyage to Cape Verde.
Among the entries is Ireland's Cara of the South, a 10.67-metre Tradewind 35 and the smallest yacht entered in this year's rally. As Afloat previously reported, the Irish-registered yacht was preparing for the passage before adverse weather forced a postponement. The latest departure report does not separately confirm her start.
The fleet set sail on Thursday, 12 November, after a four-day postponement due to strong southerly weather. Moderate northerly winds of around 11 knots greeted crews heading towards Mindelo, 850 nautical miles away. Afloat reported the earlier weather warning and start delay.
Large crowds of local residents, supporters and fellow Atlantic Rally for Cruisers participants gathered at Las Palmas Marina to wave off the fleet.
Farewell Cheers: Crowds gather along the breakwater at Las Palmas Marina to wave off the ARC+ 2026 fleet following a four-day weather delay to the start of the Atlantic rally. Photo: Paul Wyeth
Multihulls and Cruising Yachts Head South
The fleet departed in separate divisions comprising 25 multihulls and 53 cruising yachts. French Outremer 52 Blue Sky made the strongest start among the multihulls, favouring the offshore pin end of the line, where slightly stronger winds helped the crew establish an early advantage.
Among the monohulls, Zina, a British Farr 56, Constance, a British Swan 441, and the Dutch Salona 40 Take 5 stood out in a closely contested start. Most initially sailed under mainsail and jib before hoisting asymmetric spinnakers as they headed towards the southern end of Gran Canaria.
For the first time, World Cruising Club broadcast the ARC+ departure live on YouTube and Facebook, allowing supporters worldwide to follow the start.
Safety Behind Start Delay
World Cruising Club managing director Paul Tetlow said postponing the original 8 November departure had been the correct decision.
“It's excellent to see the ARC+ fleet leave Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to begin their voyage across the Atlantic Ocean,” he said. “We feel this was definitely the right call, considering the safety of our participants above all else.”
Organisers arranged additional shoreside activities during the delay while keeping crews informed of changing weather conditions.
Atlantic Adventure: British yacht Aquaries sets sail for Cape Verde under a colourful downwind sail as 78 yachts begin the first 850-nautical-mile leg of ARC+ 2026, ahead of the onward passage to Grenada. Photo: Paul Wyeth
German sailor Hassel Hassenbürger, aboard Now or Never, welcomed the decision. “We were very relaxed about the decision to delay the start because for us, safety is the most important thing,” he said. He added that meeting crews from across the international fleet had been an important part of the experience.
More Than 3,000 Miles Across the Atlantic
The first leg to Mindelo is expected to take between five and eight days. Crews will then explore Cape Verde before the second leg begins on 22 November.
That passage covers approximately 2,150 nautical miles to Port Louis Marina in Grenada, bringing the total rally distance to more than 3,000 nautical miles.
The main ARC rally, sailing directly from Gran Canaria to Saint Lucia, is also scheduled to depart on 22 November. Afloat previewed both Atlantic rallies in October, while last year's ARC+ departure saw 86 yachts head for Cape Verde.
World Cruising Club said reaching the start line was itself a significant achievement for participants who had spent years preparing for an Atlantic crossing.
