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Yachting Monthly

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ARC 2023 fleet sets sail across the Atlantic

• Heather Prentice
• November 19, 2023

And they are off! Spectacular is one of the few words able to describe the magnificent panorama of the ARC 2023 yachts sailing towards the horizon at the start of the 2,700-mile journey to St. Lucia.

Days and often years of preparation are over. The ARC 2023 saw 156 yachts cross the start line at Las Palmas, Gran Canaria in light 8-10 knot winds, hot sunshine and blue skies. The Spanish Navy offshore patrol vessel Rayo fired the starting gun.

‘It is a tremendous sight to see close to 160 yachts heading for the horizon,’ said World Cruising Club Managing Director Paul Tetlow. ‘The weather conditions are light. The stronger trade winds will kick in a couple of days. We wish them all safe passage.’

The Cruising Division fleet at the ARC 2023 start off Las Palmas

The ARC 2023 is back to pre-Covid levels with the largest-ever fleet of multihulls – 43 in number – plus one trimaran, a Neel 43 MiaMaGiR (FRA) – and a competitive Racing Division with 13 yachts. There are over 90 yachts in the Cruising Division.

The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), organised by the World Cruising Club, brings together cruising sailors, families and professional racers for the Atlantic crossing and this highly social element adds to the joy of the ARC.

In the ARC 2023, there are 10 boats with families and 17 children under the age of 16, with the youngest aged just two.

The Hvenegaard family sailing aboard Apoena, their Beneteau Oceanis 473. Photo: Heather Prentice

The ARC 2023 start

The fleet was split into three classes for the staggered start: Division IV (Multihulls) and Division V (Open), followed by Division II (IRC Racing) and Division I (Cruising).

First across the line was the Outremer 51 multihull Piment Rouge (FRA), skippered by Pierre de Saint-Vincent, followed by Marjolijn van Oordt’s Swan 52-3 Gaia (NLD) in the racing division. The British Farr 65 Celeste of Solent , skippered by Svante Jacobsson led the Cruising Division.

ARC 2023 French multihull Piment Rouge leads the fleet at the start. Photo: James Mitchel

For the racing yachts, the journey could be as short as just over a week. The current crossing record stands at 8 days, 6 hours and 29 minutes, set by George David in 2016 aboard the super-maxi Rambler 88 . But for the smaller boats, the crossing could be closer to a month.

ARC 2023 Celeste of Solent GBR leading the Cruising Division across the start line.

A dream come true

For many, it is a dream to cross the Atlantic and has taken years of preparation and planning just to get to the start. For the lucky few, it is the start of bluewater cruising around the world.

The smallest boat is the Italian-flagged Grand Soleil 34 Lady Eleonora at 10.11m. The smallest multihull is Tanoa (DEU) a Privilege 37 at 11.2m. Some 8% of the fleet is under 12m, and 41% of the fleet is between 12.06 and 15m.

The magnificent Alloy Yachts-built Irelanda (MLT) is the largest in the fleet at 32m and the largest multihull is Meribel (EST) a 20.55m Lagoon Sixty 5.

The crew of Lady Eleanora, the smallest yacht in the ARC 2023. Photo: James Mitchel

Sail south ’till the butter melts

Meteorologist Chris Tibbs outlined the expected conditions for the first week at the skippers’ briefing: ‘With a low-pressure system currently over the Azores and a large low in the mid-Atlantic, we are expecting light winds (10-15 knots) for the start of the rally and the first couple of days of the crossing.

‘As the fleet head south towards the acceleration zone, the wind is likely to back to the north and possibly increase to 15-20 knots.’

It seems likely that the fleet will chose the traditional ‘sail south until the butter melts’ route as this looks to be the most favourable.

Follow the fleet at: www.worldcruising.com

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World ARC 2024-25: Yachts Set Sail on 13th Edition of Circumnavigation Rally

The 13th edition of the World ARC circumnavigation rally set sail from Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia on January 13, embarking on a 26000 nm route with 27 yachts aiming for a leisurely pace to enjoy the sights along the way.

The World ARC offers a different approach to round-the-world races, catering to sailors who seek to savor the journey rather than focusing solely on speed, providing a unique opportunity for leisurely exploration and camaraderie.

• 27 yachts started the 2024-25 World ARC edition
• 37 yachts will take part in the rally over the next 15 months
• 16 yachts are already signed up for the next edition of World ARC in 2025
• The fleet will explore the San Blas Islands of Panama before a Panama Canal transit in February and then continue into the Pacific to destinations such as Galapagos, French Polynesia, and Oceania
• A total of 37 yachts will take part in the rally over the next 15 months

Sailors participating in the World ARC will continue their journey, exploring a variety of destinations across the Pacific over the next 15 months, with 16 yachts already signed up for the next edition set to sail in 2025.

The World ARC offers sailors a unique opportunity to leisurely explore the world while fostering camaraderie, with the upcoming editions already attracting significant early interest, signifying the enduring appeal of this distinctive circumnavigation rally.

The summary of the linked article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence technology from OpenAI

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The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) is the largest trans-ocean sailing event in the world attracting over 200 boats of many different shapes and sizes. Join this round-the-world adventure taking place over 15 months and covering 26,000 nautical miles. 

Several legs ranging from 18 to 40 nights from nights: February 2024 - April 2025

From £5,600.00 per person

World ARC is a round-the-world adventure taking place over 15 months and covering 26,000 nautical miles. Following the classic trade-winds route, the rally avoids regions of political instability, piracy and the storm seasons in both hemispheres.

Leg 1: St Lucia to Panama - Date: 13th January - 10 February - SOLD OUT

Leg 2: Panama to Galapagos – Date: 11 February – 2 March 2024

Leg 3: Galapagos to Marquesas Islands – Date: 04 – 30 March 2024

Leg 4: Marquesas to Tahiti – Date: 01 – 27 April 2024

Leg 5: Tahiti to Tonga – Date: 5 May – 9 June 2024 - SOLD OUT

Leg 6: Tonga to Fiji – Date: 11 June – 2 July 2024

Leg 7: Fiji to Australia – Date: 11 July – 10 August 2024

Leg 8: Australia to Indonesia – Date: 14 August – 18 September 2024

Leg 9: Indonesia to Mauritius – Date: 20 September – 25 October 2024

Leg 10: Mauritius to South Africa – Date: 27 October – 30 November 2024

Leg 11: South Africa to Brazil – Date: 9 January – 15 February 2025

Leg 12: Brazil to Grenada – Date: 19 February – 27 March 2025

Leg 13: Grenada to St. Lucia – Date: 2 – 20 April 2025

World ARC Itinerary

St. Lucia to Panama – SOLD OUT

Leg 2 – Panama to Galapagos – 11 February to 02 March 2024

Panama City – Las Perlas – Santa Cruz

Join the crew in Panama City. You will be making final preparations for the passages that you have ahead. Before that, you will sail one day to Las Perlas Islands, an archipelago formed when North and South America were separated some 3 million years ago. As a result of its white sandy beaches, snorkeling, and sheer beauty, this location is favored by the rich and famous.

You will meet with other yachts taking part in this expedition on January 13, then make the 850NM (6-8 days) trip to the Galapagos on the following day. The journey will take you across the Equator, where you must pay homage to King Neptune. Once you arrive in San Cristobel, you must undergo a strict clearing process. The amount and diversity of wildlife is incredible! From the giant tortoise to the blue footed booby, inquisitive seals to black tipped shark. The area has it all.

In order to protect the fragile ecosystem, yachts are not permitted to cruise freely so you will be based in the three main harbours of Cristobel, Isabella and Santa Cruz. The best way to experience all that Galapagos has to offer is to take one of the many organised tours led by local guides. The adventure ends in Santa Cruz on the 2nd of March.

Leg 3  – Galapagos to Marquesas – 04 to 30 March 2024

Santa Cruz – Marqueses archipelago – Nuka Hiva

Come along with the crew to Santa Cruz, Galapagos. You will be preparing for the amazing journey that lies ahead. You will leave the island of Galapagos behind two days later and cross the Pacific Ocean 2980 miles away. By the end of your first full day, you will have gotten accustomed to the steady SE trade winds and gentle equatorial current. The passage is expected to take 15-18 days. Watches will be running smoothly, galley duties will be assigned, and the music playlist will be agreed upon.

Your fishing line will be deployed, and your sea legs will be established. After the first full day, you may not be able to see your fleet on the horizon, but you will still be able to hear them on VHF. By the end of the first week, this is unlikely. You will land on the majestic and historical island of Hiva Ou. It is known for its untamed landscape, giant stone tiki, and Paul Gauguin’s final resting place.

As you cruise your way up through the island chain to Nuka Hiva, the largest of them all, you will be stepping foot on some of the most remote islands in the world. This island is served by direct flights from Tahiti making it a convenient place to say farewell.

Leg 4 – Marquesas to Tahiti – 01 to 27 April 2024

Nuka Hiva – Tuamotus archipelago – Papeete

Direct flights from Tahiti make this an accessible joining point. You will be finalizing preparations for your journey. Two days later, you leave one of the most remote areas on earth and head west.

After a three-day crossing, you will arrive at Tuamotus, a small French Polynesian island, where you will explore for 17-20 days. Over an area, roughly the size of western Europe, the cluster of just under 80 islands and atolls is the world’s largest chain of atolls. White sandy beaches surrounded by coconut trees and clear crystal waters have an abundance of underwater life.

Pearl farms produce jewels that are unmatched in colour and shade. You will finally set sail for the final 220NM trip to Papeete, Tahiti, where you will say your final goodbyes. With the international airport only ten minutes by taxi your travel will be easy to co ordinate.

Leg 5 – Tahiti to Tonga – 05 May to 09 June 2024

Papeete – Society Islands – Borra Borra – Cook islands – Nuie – Vava’u

Join in Papeete, a 10 minute taxi ride from the international airport, as you complete your final preparations to set sail. You will make the 160NM passage stopping to explore the Society Islands, possibly named by the explorer James Cook in honour of his sponsor the Royal Society in 1796.

Although these tropical islands are home to a wide variety of rare animals and plants, their most famous feature is their strong fragrance from the gardenia flower – the most fragrant flower in the world, and one that has been protected for centuries.

Corals cover the atolls surrounding the islands, which are home to a variety of marine life species. The Society Islands are a snorkelers paradise. Upon arrival at Bora Bora, you meet up with other World Arc yachts and have the opportunity to experience all the island has to offer, including hiking, quad biking, sitting on black sandy beaches, or visiting a turtle sanctuary. After sailing 690 NM (4-6 days) to Suwarrow in the Cook Islands, you will have a short 24-72 hour stopover to explore the island.

Then onward to Nuie, one of the worlds largest raised coral atolls where once again you are afforded a 24hr to 72hr stopover. This island does not boast long sandy beaches but rather dramatic limestone cliffs. Explore the impressive caves, chasms and coral formations around the island before you complete your final 2 day sail to VaVa’u, Tonga. There are many flight options when leaving VaVa’u depending upon your final destination.

Leg 6 – Tonga to Fiji – 11 June – 02 July 2024

Vava’u – Port Denerau

Join the crew in Vava’u, before heading off for three weeks of idyllic island hopping. The airport is served by numerous flights depending upon your approach. With both Tonga and Fiji to explore and only a three day passage between them, this is one trip you’ll never forget. 61 islands make up this azure tropical paradise, covered in coral gardens, deserted beaches, and sparkling clear lagoons. Visit the local market, hire a car, or visit the botanical gardens.

The 580NM passage from Tonga to Fiji offers a pleasant one with the trade winds behind. Once in Fiji, you are welcomed with another idyllic paradise blessed with 333 tropical islands and some of the friendliest people on earth. In a utopia that many people consider a ‘must visit’, there’s bound to be a lot to see and do – stroll through the many markets, visit a temple, experience Cloud 9, Fiji’s floating bar, climb the small hill with incredible views on the island where Castaway was filmed, or just visit a local village. A 20-minute drive from Nadi International Airport will take you to Port Denerau where you will say your goodbyes.

Leg 7 – Fiji to Australia – 11 July to 10 August 2024

Denerau – Vanuatu – Mackay – Whitsunday Islands – Airlie Beach

Fly in to Nadi International Airport and join us in Denerau Marina – a 20 minute taxi ride away. After picking you up, you will be transported to Muskat Cove, a secluded and uncrowded hideaway that embodies the essence of Fiji. As you sail toward Vanuatu, you stop to visit Mamanucas and Yasawa, two volcanic islands off the coast of Nadi. You will be awed by the crystal clear waters, palm fringed beaches and live coral reefs that make this area one of the most beautiful in Fiji. From Yasawa, you make the 450-NM (2-4 day) downwind passage to Vanuatu.

In addition to being the world’s largest carbon-negative country, Vanuatu intends to phase out all fossil fuels by 2030. Your first port of call will be Aneiytum. After making your way north, you’ll cruise the island chain. A volcano on Tanna has an active volcano with lava dancing across the sky like fireworks. Visit Millennium Cave and hope waterfall. Snorkel over Million Dollar Point, where tanks, cars, and guns were simply dumped at the end of WWII. Your journey through Vanuatu ends at Port Vila where you meet up with World Arc yachts as you gather and set sail for the 1050NM downwind passage to Australia (6-8 days).

You make your approach through The Great Barrier Reef before taking a rest at Mackay. After a few days, you cruise through the Whitsunday Islands, which boast blue waters, coral seas, and coastal views fit for a postcard. Your journey ends in the laid back tropical resort town of Airlie Beach Australia. With Prosperine Airport only 12 miles out of town there is easy access from all of Australia’s major cities.

Leg 8 – Australia to Indonesia – 14 August – 18 September 2024

Airlie Beach – Great Barrier Reef – Darwin – Lombok

In this tour, you set off from Airlie Beach, Australia to explore the Great Barrier Reef – perhaps the world’s most magnificent natural wonder. After leaving Airlie Beach, you visit the Whitsundays, a jewel of 74 islands with bottle green forests that are home to an unparalleled abundance of marine life. The island of Hamilton Island has coral reefs that fringe its coast and tours are available for a close look at koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and kookaburras. In the east, Passage Peak offers views of the surrounding islands.

The islands to your east will shield you from the Pacific swell as you head north. Aside from walking along the pristine beaches and snorkeling over vibrant coral reefs, you will anchor in secluded coves. As you watch the lemon sharks and giant grouper swim about the yacht, you will see giant clams below. You may spend a day or two in Cairns to see the Daintree rainforest, 60 million years older than the Amazon rainforest. Further up the coast, You might stop at Lizard Island, a sacred site for the Dingaal indigenous people.

After traveling over 1400 NM, you will arrive in Darwin where you will explore the area and meet up with other World Arc travelers. Known for its outdoor tropical lifestyle, this capital is thriving. The World Arc yachts gather and set out for the final 920NM leg (5-7 days) to Lombok, where you say farewell. With waterfront dining, crocodile adventures, and a rich history, there is something for everyone.

Leg 9 – Indonesia to Mauritius – 20 September to 25 October 2024

Lombok – Christmas Island – Cocos (Keeling) – Port Louis

Join the crew on the beautiful island of Lombok. This island is home to sugar white beaches, spectacular falls, and Indonesia’s second-tallest volcano. You leave all that behind as you set sail for Christmas Island (625NM). There are red crabs, sea birds, whale sharks, and spectacular coral reefs on the island, which is known as the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean. In three to four days, you reach the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The islands are almost perfectly circling each other, but only two of them are inhabited. Then you gather with other yachts for the crossing of the Indian Ocean. Settle in for the 2350NM journey.

Swim over coral reefs, learn about the Malay people, or simply relax on the beach. Estimations for crossing are somewhere between 12 and 18 days but the unknown is what makes an adventure an adventure. By the end of your first full day you will have found your rhythm. Watches will be running smoothly, galley duties allocated and the music playlist agreed upon! You will have deployed the fishing line and have found your sea legs. When you reach Port Louis, you will feel really accomplished. Not many people can say they have sailed across the Indian Ocean. With the airport only a 33 minute taxi ride away then things couldn’t be easier.

Leg 10 – Mauritius to South Africa – 27 October – 30 November 2024

Port Louis – Reunion Island – Richards Bay – Cape Town

Join the crew in Port Louis, just a 33 minute taxi ride from the international airport, as you prepare to set sail. Your first stop is the island of Reunion. You will spend about six days exploring this small piece of Europe set in the Indian Ocean. You prepare the food to be interesting and exotic because of the melting pot of cultures and nationalities absorbed into the cuisine. There have been 150 recorded eruptions of the volcano on Reunion since the 17th century – the most recent occurred in April 2021. You’re welcome to climb it!

The island offers hiking opportunities, as well as idyllic beaches. Your voyage from Reunion to Richards Bay is 1370NM (8-11 days). Hopefully, you will be able to get together with your fellow World Arc friends and explore the KwaZulu-Natal National Park. From Richards Bay, you will hop around the coast, stopping at Knysna Quays. Due to its sandstone cliffs, which separate it from the pounding surf of the Indian Ocean, this gem of South Africa stands out with its streets lined with cafes, galleries, independent shops, and seafood restaurants.

You can explore the Featherbed Nature Reserve and take guided hikes through Knysna forest, or travel along the famous Garden Route and Elephant park. Onward to your final destination of Cape Town where you will say your farewells.

Leg 11 – South Africa to Brazil – 09 January to 15 February 2025

Cape Town – Namibia – St Helena – Salvador da Bahia

Join the crew in Cape Town as you prepare to make the 785 NM (4-6 day) passage north to Namibia. A brief 3 – 4 days for recharge and exploration then west to St Helena. This tiny island lies 1215 NM west of the Atlantic Ocean is your next destination.

In addition to being the island of Napoleon’s exile, this island is also home to Jonathan, the oldest living animal on earth. This giant tortoise celebrated his 190th birthday in 2022. With its ancient wrecks, giant stairways, grand forts, natural wonders, and extraordinary walks, you will spend several days on this far-flung island. After being refreshed, you continue west for a passage of 1900NM (11-15 days) to Salvador, Brazil. This is an ideal place for farewell since there are direct flights from Europe (London 1 stop).

Leg 12 – Brazil to Grenada – 19 February to 27 March 2025

Salvador da Bahia – Cabadelo – Devils Island – St George’s

After arriving at El Salvador International Airport, join the marina and prepare to cruise the Brazilian coast. As you hop your way north through Carnival week, you will be sure to be wowed by the multi-coloured parades and pageants, with lots of dancing and singing to be heard. As you finish your Brazil adventure in Cabadelo, you meet your other World Arc adventurers and embark on the 1330NM (6-9 day) passage to Devils Island with your other World Arc adventurers.

Although it looks like a paradise with palm trees and sparkling waters, its beauty belies its horrifying truth. Tens of thousands of inmates died in this prison between 1852 and 1953 from malnutrition, disease, and futile escape attempts. It was the most feared prison in modern history. The horrific tales are left behind as you cruise through the Caribbean to Grenada. A 4 to 6 day passage. You bid your farewells at St George’s.

Leg 13 – Grenada to St Lucia – 02 April to 20 April 2025

St George’s – Grenadines and St Vincent – Rodney Bay

Begin your trip in St. George’s, Grenada’s capital, and spend the next two days preparing for your journey. Take some time to explore St. George’s harbour and Carenage Harbour, and take in the colourful homes, Georgian buildings and early 18th century Fort George that stands guard at the harbour.

The island of St. Lucia is a sailing wonder known for its volcanic scenery and perfect diving conditions. Anchor off in the north end of Rodney Bay marina, St. Lucia, where you will end your trip and have a prize giving for the whole of the World Arc Trip. Unwind and join one of the street parties that happen every Friday, where the roads are closed off in Gros Islet town, the party takes over, and the tastes and sounds of the Caribbean escape.

Grenada is a chain of islands, rich with history and wonderful things to do. Spend the day at Grand Anse Beach in St. George Paris paired with some underwater diving, or go on a spice tour at Dougaldston Spice Estate and discover Grenada’s rich history with spices.

Sail to the Grenadines and the archipelago of the Tobago Cays and stop off to explore their beauty. Very few islands are inhabited, but the ones offer amazing scenery. In the southern Grenadines sit the Tobago Cays, five beautiful, uninhabited islands surrounding a clear lagoon just waiting for you to snorkel and swim in. Catch sight of some local turtles and amazing coral, or visit one of the beaches or cays the area is famous for.

St. Vincent is a volcanic island made up of submerged volcanic mountains. Explore the island on foot through one of the forest trails and see some of the native flora and fauna. On the island sits the 1,234-metre active volcano of La Soufrière, which has impacted the island’s history.

When sailing the west coast of St. Vincent, you will pass by the Pitons and Marigot Bay. The Pitons are two dormant mountainous volcanic peaks in St. Lucia, made up of Gros Piton and Petit Piton, taken in the World Heritage Site. Pass through Marigot Bay in St. Lucia, an idyllic bay famous for being a backdrop to a few Hollywood movies.

At the end of your trip, sail up to the north end of Rodney Bay for the World Arc prize-giving to celebrate the end of the adventure.

• All meals aboard
• All bedding including towels
• All fuel and marina cost
• Lifejackets
• Your own cabin
• Use of paddle Boards
• Use of Snorkelling equipment
• Daily Tuition
• Meals Ashore
• Sailing & Travel Insurance
• Travel to and from Asante
• Visas where required
• Waterproof Clothing

is a 2007 Oyster 56  A luxury 57ft sailing yacht designed by Rob Humphries. The 56 is perhaps the quintessential Oyster design and was the undisputed class leader at this size for more than a decade.

The key to her success is her size; large enough for rapid ocean cruising and to accommodate her crew and guests in comfort and style when living aboard, but easy to handle.

A spacious deck layout, large secure cockpit area and wide side decks make for comfortable and safe cruising and there are plenty of places to relax on deck.

The interior arrangement provides 3 separate cabins for guests. There is one double cabin, and two twin cabins, one forward and one aft. There is a day head midships for use by all guests and the large bright saloon offers plenty of room for relaxing in comfort. All creature comforts can be found on board: heating, air conditioning and fully covered cockpit if it is cold.  The guests separate shower stall and quiet flush electric toilet makes it feel a little more like home.

The Oyster 56 is a proven performer, with many ocean crossings and circumnavigations to her credit. She has had class wins in the ARC and has also won Cruising Class 1 at Antigua Sailing Week, beating several more serious racing yachts. She is a superb sea boat and remains very well regarded by all her fortunate owners.

• large secure cockpit area and wide side decks make for comfortable and safe cruising and there are plenty of places to relax on deck
• Fully batten main sail
• Electric main halyard
• Furling genoa with electric furling system
• Asymmetric spinnaker
• Electric winches
• Full Spray hood and Bimini
• Cockpit and deck cushions
• AB rib with 25hp outboard engine
• 2 Paddle boards
• Snorkeling kits
• Full safety equipment inline with MCA requirements for coded area of operation
• Drinks fridge
• Cockpit table fridge
• Nespresso Coffee machine
• Washing machine
• Full air conditioning and heating to all cabins
• TV in main saloon
• Full suite of Raymarine navigation equipment
• VHF Radio and two handheld radios
• Timezero Navigation suite including routing
• Satellite communications

Skipper/Owners

Step aboard! We would be delighted to welcome you onto one of our adventure sailing charters aboard Asante, our luxury yacht an Oyster 57ft.  For those who don’t want to stray far from home perhaps you may consider sailing with us around the East Coast of England or exploring the West Coast of Scotland with its beautiful islands.  Or can we lure you further afield?  Cross an ocean, explore the warm Caribbean or venture to remote Pacific islands.

Owned and operated by Ian & Fiona, we specialise in taking guest to some of the most beautiful cruising grounds in the world. Footloose Sailing Adventures offers crewed charters that caters to all experience levels.  All you need is a sense of adventure and a willingness to get involved.

Ian who is the skipper is an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor with over 120,000 nautical miles of worldwide sailing while Fiona is a Commercial Yachtmaster who also holds Ocean Yachtmaster and is always happy to share her enthusiasm for celestial navigation.  She too has sailed in many parts of the world and acts as the first mate. They both enjoy cooking – producing food from local ingredients wherever possible.  Ian & Fiona both love adventure, exploring new places and meeting new people. They allow their guest to be a part of the adventure in a relaxed informal way with an element of luxury.

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Kate - who has a profound visual impairment - joined the crew of tall ship tenacious for a voyage across the atlantic to antigua. this is her story., crossing the atlantic, without sight, related products, maldives dream, for a picture-perfect sailing adventure, with unrivalled beaches and crystal clear water, the maldives is the place to be., southwest tasmania, australia, sail the rolex sydney hobart - in reverse and then onto southport, best of lofoten, norway – august, explore the most beautiful and rugged mountains, fjords, and beaches that lofoten has to offer. we explore the island by boat, and the whole of lofoten is our playground., silhouette, seychelles, marine parks, bright coral reefs, sandy beaches, majestic animals, and vibrant buzzing villages can be found on this exploration of the seychelles best islands., how we work.

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• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

Round-the-world sailors race for landfall as South Pacific begins coronavirus lockdown

• March 26, 2020

Dan Bower reports from the South Pacific where the coronavirus outbreak has left World ARC sailors searching for a safe port while running out of food

Dan Bower has sailed more than 300,000 miles

Pushing off from the Galapagos Islands 3 weeks ago, the coronavirus was only starting to affect Europe. The first villages were being quarantined in Italy, and a handful of cases were emerging in the UK. A blip on the news, this did nothing to rock our happy World ARC fleet.

We were busy frolicking with sea lions and preparing for the rally’s longest ocean passage, stocking up, refuelling and preparing to cut ourselves off from the world, in to the beautiful calm and all-consuming bubble that is a watch system at sea.

The trickles of news that came through at first were largely sanitised – many of our crew make it clear that they don’t want news from home, after all there is nothing we can do. As the situation deteriorated more rapidly, the view from home was: “The world has gone mad, enjoy your blissful ignorance while you can.”

The World ARC 2020-2021 fleet leaving Galapagos for the Marquesas on March 4. Photo: facebook.com/worldarc

Our first 1,000 miles flew past and life was great, but then reality started to catch up. The first updates concerned small changes to entry protocol, non-EU crew requiring return air flights rather than the usual bond, signed declarations of health and copies of travel insurance, closely followed by a notification of quarantine – anyone by air required 14 days isolation, effectively cancelling our incoming crew change. Those at sea could count their passage time so it was ok for us.

The general expectation was still to be able to clear into French Polynesia, cruise around a bit and then deal with complications further down the line as we started to hear that Tonga and Niue, New Zealand and Australia were denying entry or requiring further quarantine.

The news from home got worse by the day, and the common thread was that we were in the best place – and being fairly self sufficient, competent fishermen and supplied with staples and emergency food for a couple of months, life could be worse – just find ourselves an atoll and live like Tom Neale as a hermit and beachcomber for a while – pleasant delusions on a late night watch.

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2019-20 Clipper Race postponed by 10 months due to Coronavirus outbreak

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With 500 miles to go, the bombshell drops: World ARC has been ‘suspended’. Understandably it is not possible to continue, most of the Pacific is closed to us, there is the option of rejoining the 2021 rally, or continuing on if the situation reverses, but in any case we would be unlikely to make the weather window in the Indian Ocean, so a delay is inevitable.

World ARC worked tirelessly to keep us up to date, and lobby for our interests, being in a pack is reassuring. However when we received the message ‘We are working hard with the local authorities in French Polynesia to welcome you as planned, and not treat you as refugees and set you back off to sea’ it did incite a certain degree of panic.

From here on things changed quickly, our rendezvous switched from Hiva Oa to Nuku Hiva – a bigger bay with more facilities, and as it later turned out a police presence. There was an indication that the Marquesans were not very enthusiastic that we were arriving, the islands are small, with very limited supplies by freighter and the local ‘hospitals’ may have only a handful of beds. Feelings are particularly strong given the population was decimated by European disease in the 19th century – the tourist economy is negligible, the epidemic inevitable and the priority is clear.

World ARC 2020/21 participants take part in the annual Galapagos beach clean. Photo: facebook.com/worldarc

After 12 hours of heading north west, the fleet has now been diverted again, Tahiti this time under the request of the French authorities and the Coastguard, adding an extra 700 miles on to the passage and skipping the best parts of French Polynesia. All pretence of a fun and relaxing cruise has now gone, and in a world of rapidly closing boarders we are pleased to be assured of being granted entry, to anywhere.

It is clear that neither the French authorities or World ARC would like yachts to stop in the Marquesas and have stated that any boat that arrives will not be able to leave to another anchorage in French Polynesia. Period.

The main consideration for many is the news of swift enforced repatriation of all non-residents, which could mean leaving the yachts at anchor in the bay. There are some yachts that genuinely need to stop here, with engine and rigging failures – but others who wish to stock up on fuel and food. After a fairly fast crossing it surprises me that boats didn’t include a 30% safety factor on the provisions.

The USA boats plan to pit stop and then push ‘home’ to Hawaii – 2,000nm on a fast reach. (Recent reports suggest around 60 cruising yachts are in the Marquesas, and that it is likely they will be authorised to move to Tahiti)

As most of the fleet now heads to Tahiti, separated by nearly 1,000 miles. We are one of the first arrivals due in shortly, but at the time of writing (March 23) we have been told that territorial waters are now closed to all vessels, except for the World ARC and Puddle jump rallies. I’m not sure what it would mean in practice, and I’ll be happy not to find out.

What awaits us in Tahiti is uncertain. A secure berth and repatriation seems the most desirable if the air space isn’t shut down by the time we arrive. The measures in France are echoed here, no one is allowed out without a written purpose, and then just one person per household or yacht. Fiji is still open to yachts, but is 2,000 miles away and when ports are seemingly refusing refuge, it’s not a risk worth taking.

The last option is the long way home through the Atlantic via Cape Horn. At 4,000nm, it’s almost as close as the Galapagos we just left.

Braving the China Sea in a thrifted yacht and motley crew, all in the name of sustainability

K orean artist Song Ho-jun's yacht sailed 18 days to get to Hong Kong to participate in this year's Rolex China Sea Race that kicked off on March 27. Song's team of eight sailors - Team Random () - was the first Korean team to compete in the race. The team was sponsored by Bungaejangter, Korea's online secondhand trading app. [BUNGAEJANGTER]

HONG KONG — On April 19, 2013, Korean artist Song Ho-jun, 45, launched a homemade $500 satellite into space at the international space launch site in Kazakhstan, becoming the world's first individual to do so. Though he doesn't know what ended up happening to his satellite OpenSat, whether it's still drifting in orbit or burnt to a crisp, Song said his main objective in the first place was “to show the world that there's someone who actually brings an idea into action no matter how foolish they may seem.”

Eleven years later, on March 27, Song set sail on a new adventure, competing in this year's Rolex China Sea Race 2024  in Hong Kong with his own boat, again becoming the first Korean to do so.

The race, with a 62-year history, is known for being one of the most tactical and challenging offshore races, attracting many of the world's best sailors and yachts to Hong Kong.

The race is hosted by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and sponsored by Rolex. Since obtaining the qualification to compete in this category 1 race — meaning long distance and offshore sailing where your yacht must be completely self-sufficient and able to withstand storms and serious emergencies — doesn't come easy, it was a surprise for Song and even the organizers themselves that the Korean team and Song's modest-looking yacht would have a chance. But the artist wanted to challenge the prejudice and show that he can make what others called a "crazy idea” into a reality.

Even Song's seven other crew members, who competed in the race as Team Random (), said they half doubted that they would be able to finish the race. For one, the yacht that Song purchased secondhand in 2021 was not meant for racing — it was one of those so-called furniture class yachts that people often purchase for leisure after retirement.

And more than half of the crew members in Team Random () were not professional sailors: Song only took up sailing as a hobby several years ago, Choe Sang-back is a music producer, Timothee Franco is a French photographer living in Korea, Kim Tae-ho used to work for a fintech company up until joining Song on this journey and Cho Byoung-chan dreams of sailing around the world, but is busy making ends meet by teaching scuba diving. Kwon Tae-woo and Kim Young-ho are the two oldest members in the crew who are most experienced. But Kim said his wife told him “half seriously and half-jokingly” to sign a divorce paper if he wants to go on this race after hearing how challenging and dangerous it can be for amateurs. 

But that did not stop Song and he managed to pursuade his team. Song's motivation for entering the race was largely to get across the same message as before, but this time with an added value: sustainability.

On the day of the race, sailors of the other 20 boats looked all set, donned in their team uniforms, leisurely taking monumental photographs and being interviewed by different media. However, as newcomers to the race, Team Random () seemed to be on pins and needles, jumping around here and there and busy doing last minute safety checks on their yacht that Song described as "a Hyundai Elentra parked next to Ferraris and Porches — not that I'm looking down on the Korean automobile.”

"What I mean is that my yacht, compared to all the others competing in the race, is a slower one,” Song said.

"It'll be great if Team Random () wins the race, but that's not the whole reason we are here,” he added as he hoisted a sail with the logo of his sponsor, Bungaejangter, one of the country's largest online secondhand trading apps.

Korean artist Song Ho-jun sells many of his preowned things on Bungaejanter to come up with money to buy himself a yacht. [BUNGAEJANGTER]

To come up with the money to buy the yacht, he launched the “Song Ho-jun Yacht Project” on Bungaejangter, also known as Bunjang. On the platform, he put many of the collections that he had accumulated at his studio up for sale, including tools and equipment he had purchased to make the DIY satellite over a decade ago. He managed to earn around 41 million won ($30,340) by giving new life to his stuff that was doing nothing more than collecting dust, then got a loan from the bank to cover the rest of the sum to purchase the yacht for a little over 100 million won.

Witnessing what this eccentric artist was doing on her platform, Choi Jae-wha, CEO of Bungaejangter, thought there was no better way to actively show their support for sustainable consumption, which her company has advocated for since day one, than by backing Song.

“People continue to find new tastes and develop new interests every now and then. But it’s impossible for us to purchase new things whenever we go through that process,” Choi said.  

“Sustainability has become a buzzword on all fronts, and consumption should also be sustainable. ‘To make consumption sustainable by giving second life to everything; waste nothing for the planet and your lifestyle’ — we take this very seriously, and this was a great opportunity to speak about it out loud through Song, especially when he’s in a race of one of the most sustainable sports.”

For the Rolex China Sea Race, yachts have to sail from Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor, across the South China Sea to Subic Bay in the Philippines, for a total of 565 nautical miles — without a motor.

Clockwise from left, Choe Sang-back, Cho Byoung-chan, Kim Young-ho, Seo Kyoung-seok, Kwon Tae-woo, Timothee Franco, Kim Tae-ho and the yacht's skipper Song Ho-jun. Team Random () pose for a photograph after arriving at the Philippines’ Subic Bay on April 2. [BUNGAEJANGTER]

Team Random () reached the Philippines’ Subic Bay on their seventh day of sailing, just as they had anticipated. Having witnessed three teams drop out before or during the race, Song said it’s “a miracle that [his] team successfully and safely ended the race.”

“We experienced a number of moments where we got cold feet, like when a sail ripped right after we departed and the one we replaced it with ripped again about halfway into the race, water backing up from the sink and flooding the boat, as well as issues with the rudder. But we managed to overcome all those obstacles and finish the race. I just can’t believe it,” Song told the Korea JoongAng Daily on April 2, right after reaching the finishing point.

Though the race is over, Song says it only signals the start of his grand project.

“Most of the teams that participated in the race this year said they all felt the climate was abnormal,” Song said. "Many of them compete in this race regularly, and they said it was especially unusual this year. The race gets held around this time because April is a windy month. But we hardly had any wind and it was unusually warm. This was global warming. We were able to experience it, witness it and document it on tape.” 

Crew member Seo Kyoung-seok is a documentary producer with expertise in filming in the wild.

Song's DIY satellite [BUNGAEJANGTER]

Song said it was similar to how his satellite launch was not done for the purpose of sending back information about space or to give GPS signals. "In fact, it didn't have any purpose,” he said. 

"I just put my idea into action, and the fun part of it is witnessing how new discussions get generated from it.”

That is why participating in the race with Bungaejangter, according to Song, was more meaningful, as the company strives to raise awareness about sustainable consumption.  

"Making consumption sustainable” is written across Song's yacht, which is a catchphrase of Bungaejangter. Song said he wasn't too keen of it when he was first putting the phrase across his yacht, but it's now engraved in his and all the other sailors’ hearts.

"As we witnessed all the plastic waste pollution in the ocean, we got to think about all the things we buy and throw away thoughtlessly just because they're cheap. It was us who ruined the ocean, and it was us who hastened global warming,” Song said. "Many of the participating teams also raised concerns about the fate of the race.”

Will Team Random () participate in the race next year?  

“Definitely,” he said. “But first, I'll have to log into Bunjang and probably sell this yacht along with some more of my preowned stuff so I can come back with a faster racing yacht.”

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [[email protected]]

Riva Iseo superyacht tender

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