Day 1 Nov 24th

We slipped our lines at 1030 to head out to the start line. What a great feeling we are finally to begin our adventure. There is a big crowd lining the marina, brass bands playing and hooters blowing to send us on our way. We slipped out of Las Palmas marina and out to the ocean. 250 boats emerged like ants from the marina all heading to the start line where the start boat a Spanish Navy Frigate was acting as Committee boat. We hoisted the sails and started to manouver into position. Vale is an old hand at this and got us perfectly positioned at the windward end of the start line with seconds to go and then we were OFF !  What a start we must have been 1st or 2nd over the line and could see all the out and out racers jockying for position. Bit of a scrap going on for best position but too late we already had it ! Lovely wind and sun to start our adventure but that soon changed when we sailed in to a big wind shadow and were becalmed for about 30mins with most of the fleet. Again Vale's experience got us away from trouble before most of the fleet. Next to be served up by the elements was a squall with rain and gusting winds of 25 knots. When this dropped we sailed in 15 knots of easterly breeze and sunshine accompanied by a 4 masted schooner until sun down at 6.10pm. No sundowner today as we were all quite exhausted from the start of the ARC, but as a special treat the ARC served up a visit to our boat by a pod of Dolphins. They took a quick look at us and then dived into the depths.Gianni rustled up a nice dinner for us and then we settled into our watch routines. The night shift was uneventful as the wind fell away to nothing for about 3 hours. Our first day and we have already experienced most conditions we will incur on route other than really strong winds.By the time 24 hours had lapsed we had 154 miles under our belt and had started to mesh as a crew and gain some sea legs.

Leaving the port at Las Palmas

Not great weather but off to a good start.

Sunday November 24th. Ready to go!

All victualling now complete and the crew are chomping at the bit for the start. The big question is though, what route to take?

Lots of uncertainty with the wind situation and the dockside sea dogs all giving their opinion on likely direction, strength and duration. But that's anough about Nick's digestive situation. We've got a race to win.                                                            

 Just had our first night onboard, and what was likely to have been our last night of good rest.

Once the start gun goes, we'll be into race mode. A very detailed rota of sleep, watch, cook and clean has been developed and a disciplined and rigorous execution will be required if we are to avoid on board anarchy with disastrous consequences, eg Gianni boycotting cooking and we end up on scrambled eggs for two weeks......could solve our wind problem though....

The crew - just before the start.

Las Palmas -all packed and ready to go.

ARC farewell Party

http://youtu.be/fpbmKG-4rgA    http://youtu.be/pNlhRlq0GjM

Friday 22nd November. Two days to go

Our final crew member arrived yesterday we are now six. Our skipper Vale, John E and John L, Karl, Nick and Gianni. 2 Italians one Irish one Guernsey and two Londoners of dubious descent. A  more congenial bunch you could not find in a marina bar.

The Milanto has been loaded with food and water and a modest quantity of wine to accompany the haute cuisine we are anticipating from Gianni's kitchen.

She is a sound and beautifully built piece of kit lovingly cared for and maintained. But that's enough about Nick. As for Milanto, we are all feeling really good about our choice of vessel and skipper for this adventure.

The Marina here in Las Palmas is absolutely packed. There are some 250 boats participating. In our racing  Division 2 there are about 25 boats. Competition is beginning to creep in with every boat being scrubbed and tweaked before the off. Yesterday we did our safety briefing. Today we will practice our start line sledging to ensure we secure an early advantage by undermining our competitors confidence.

We're in it to win it! We cross the start line on 24th at 1245

ARC Rally Racing Division - Milanto gets a mention!

The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) has always been about the challenge of an Atlantic crossing, whether for first timers in a family cruising boat, or experienced sailors pushing for a personal best crossing time on a racing yacht. 

Although originally solely a fun rally for cruising boats, within a few years of the first ARC in 1986, it became apparent that many crews wanted to compete rather than simply cruise across the ocean. In 1989, a racing division was introduced to the ARC to enable anyone wishing to race to pit their skills against likeminded sailors. Since then, racers have made up around 15% of the fleet, competing using the IRC rating system. 

ARC 15/11/13

"Holding true to the spirit of the ARC, the racing division is very much a Corinthian event, offering club level racing on a transatlantic course and as such attracts a broad range of boats and crews. Crews of charter guests on a 'bucket list' race experience, get the chance to sail against professional crews, including veterans of the Volvo Ocean Race, and Olympic sailors, on this downwind ocean course. 

Solid, ocean-going classic Swans such as the '51 Northern Child and the '46 MILANTO, are typical of the traditional style of boat in the racing fleet, whilst at the more extreme end of the range are downwind flyers from Pogo Structures, including two 40's and 12.50 and an 8.50, sailed by double handers Antoine Gloanec and Chloe Gautier from France. 

Gianfelice Rocca's Rainbow represent's the classic part of the fleet; the C&C 61 was launched in 1972 and is still going well. 

Pushing for the course record will be the Volvo 70, Monster Project, although with good conditions and tactics, the Pogo 40's are certainly capable to beating 11 days five hours as the all Austrian crew of Vaquita showed, coming in just a few hours off the record. 

Another slippery new-comer is Max Klink's Caro, a Knierim 65 launched this year and described as a performance racer-cruiser, designed to minimizing weight without sacrificing comfort and still be raced by a crew of just six. 

Around 35 boats are expected to start in the racing division on 24 November for the 2,670nm course to Saint Lucia. With a 24 year pedigree, the ARC racer's are very much a part of the ARC and registration is already open for the 2014 event. "

By World Cruising Club