Saint Lucia: Deputy PM Ernest Hilaire joins WCC to bid farewell to 2023 World ARC participants

Saint Lucia: The Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture & Information and Deputy Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Ernest Hilaire, on Thursday, January 5, 2023, along with the senior representatives and staff of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority and Events Saint Lucia joined the World Cruising Club (WCC) in bidding farewell to the 2023 World ARC fleet of 90 participants aboard 25 yachts.

In recent months, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority signed an agreement with WCC making the island home to the event for another three years. The World ARC’s voyage of 26,000 Nautical Miles following the classic trade winds route over 15 months is an adventure of a lifetime. The race concludes on return to the IGY Rodney Bay Marina.

Saint Lucia welcomed the ARC in December 2022 and is looking to welcome the ARC January fleet in the weeks. The Tourism Authority stated, “We encourage all participants to be of support to each other on these exciting expeditions.”

The World ARC event is a round-the-world adventure which is taking place over 15 months and will be covering 26,000 nautical miles. Following the classic tradewinds routes, the rally will avoid regions of political instability, piracy as well as storm seasons in both hemispheres.

The adventure will start from the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia and Australia and will sail a half rally or make the whole circumnavigation.

The world cruising authority said, “Boats leaving after a half rally can enter the next edition to complete their circumnavigation.”

Furthermore, the World ARC combines cruising in company and free time to explore. The rally speed enables the fleet to stay together and enjoy shore-side activities as a group. Notably, the event does not feature any free cruising periods that permit participants to fly home for work or family or to even travel further by air; for example, to New Zealand, Easter Island or Madagascar.

The route started from Saint Lucia, which will be considered the first half, and the final prize-giving ceremony will be held in Saint Lucia in April 2024.