ARC - Atlantic Rally for Cruisers
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the world's largest trans-ocean sailing rally. Usually around 250 yachts leave Las Palmas, Gran Canaria around the end of November and arrive in St Lucia, in the Caribbean, an estimated 15-18 days later. The ARC is a chance for everyone, with different sailing experiences, to live the dream.
Swan yachts are built to sail oceans in safety, comfort and with great performance. Milanto participates almost every year, with results that speak for themselves: 2004 - 2nd in Racing Division 2 and 4th overall; 2006 - 4th in Racing Division 2; 2011 – 3rd in Racing Division 2; 2012 - 5th in Racing Division 2. In 2013 Milanto came 3rd in Racing Division 2 and won the Nautor Swan Transatlantic Cup; 2014 4th in Racing Division 2 and again won the Nautor Swan Transatlantic Cup; 2015 - 5th in Racing Division 2. In 2017 - 2nd in Racing Division B and for the third time, the Nautor Transatlantic Cup; 2018 - 4th in Racing Division 2 and 6th overall. In 2019 Milanto came 5th in Racing Division 2 and 7th overall.
2019 was the 12th ARC Rally for Valerio, so you can count on a lot of experience and feel safe in his and Milanto's 'hands'.
Read Milanto's logs from the ARC website to get an idea of the experience that awaits you: https://www.worldcruising.com/arc/dailylogs.aspx
Estimated Dates for ARC (tbc)
Gran Canaria - Saint Lucia Direct
01 Nov ARC Office opens in Las Palmas
17 Nov date boat must be in Las Palmas
24 NoV Start day!
12-17 Dec ARC boats arrive in Rodney Bay
20 Dec ARC finish line closes
21 Dec Prize giving ceremony
Summary info from 2019 Rally:
Departure: 24th Nov 12:15
Arrival: 11th Dec 23:29 UTC
Time at Sea: 17d 11h 14m 20s
Total: 2817NMWhat to expect:
Crew will join Milanto in Gran Canaria 2-3 days before the start, to settle in, become familiar with the boat and join the parties. On board you will be involved in all aspects of sailing an ocean crossing, standing watches, steering, changing sails, cooking if you want to, or fishing and catching supper if you plan to be the star of the trip!
For your safety we recommend you undertake the ISAF/RYA Sea Survival Course prior to the trip.
Check out the ARC website for more information: https://www.worldcruising.com/arc/event.aspx
Package includes:
Delicious home-made food whilst at sea
Race entry fees
Individual crew entry fee
Mooring fee
All safety equipment
Crew polo shirt
Bedding
Entry passes to the pre- and post- ARC seminars and parties
No 'hot' bunking
Sail training session
Skipper and mate
Excluded are:
Flights, transfers, shoreside accommodation and personal insurance.
We are now taking enquiries and bookings for the ARC, either for whole-boat charter, small groups or as individuals.
ARC 2012
ARC 2013
ARC 2015
ARC 2017
“We had a great passage over the Atlantic with Milanto. We encountered some strong headwinds early on but Milanto and its skipper, Valerio Bardi, handled the new reality perfectly and we finished 2nd in our class as we pulled in to Rodney Bay on a sunny Saturday afternoon after 20 days at sea. On top of the wonderful passage, Valerio shared his knowledge on how to sail an ARC, which improved our knowledge of ocean sailing.”
ARC 2018
“Crossing the Atlantic Ocean on board Milanto during the last ARC enabled me to fulfil a childhood dream. Being able to do so on such a classic yacht with such a great bunch of people (8 sailors from 7 countries) was a bonus. Our skipper Vale, and first mate Karen ensured we crossed safely, whilst at the same time allowing each of us to be as fully involved with the sailing of the boat as we felt comfortable with. Lazy days, exciting days, great fishing, excellent food, terrible jokes, repairs as required and above all swapping the hustle and stress of modern life for the peace and tranquility of nature in its purest sense created an experience I’ll never forget.”
ARC 2019
“To sail the ARC 2019 with Valerio on Milanto, was all that I wished for and all it could have been. Milanto is in excellent condition and sails like a dream in all weather and points of sailing. She is well equipped and extremely comfortable. But the real star is Valerio, a unique and great Skipper/Yachtsman, with his abundance of experience providing you at all times with great sailing and a feeling of safety on board, along with his ‘Italian’ humour, keeping the crew well challenged and pulling together as a team - which on a crossing of only 17 days no easy feat. A delightful and unforgettable experience and I recommend to anyone looking for a trip of a lifetime.”
For additional ARC testimonials, please click here.