ARC Starts with a Fleet of 211

The 23rd Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, the granddaddy of all cruising rallies, started from the Canary Islands over the weekend. A total of 211 yachts, a little off record levels, headed WSW for the finish at 2,700-mile distant St. Lucia in the Eastern Caribbean. The fleet was greeted with 10 to 15 knots from the northeast, which meant many boats set chutes very early. Traditionally, the best ARC course has been to head almost south to the Cape Verdes to pick up the trades, then head west. But early weather forecasts suggest that rhumbing it may be the way to go. The 211 boats are from 21 different countries.