ANTIGUANICE YACHTING INSIDER NEWSLETTER

The curtain fell on the 25th ARC last night at a lavish awards ceremony held at Gaiety Nightclub in Gros Islet, close to where the fleet have been berthed at IGY Rodney Bay Marina, St. Lucia. Hundreds of participants had remained or returned to St. Lucia for the prizegiving ceremony, which started as crews gathered in the gardens of the venue to enjoy a rum punch to the sounds of a local steel band. With so many prizes to present the awards ceremony is in two parts, many of the fun prizes being awarded in Part One.

After thanking the sixteen net controllers for their help in running the SSB Radio Net during the crossing, the Group B yachts sang their own rendition of the 12 Nights of Christmas with verses composed in a competition held over the SSB radio net. Following on the younger ARC crews were recognised. Best Family Performance on corrected time went to the Witso-Bjollmer family from Norway on Honnigpupp II. Jules van Heezik (Odd@sea, Netherlands) was next on stage as the youngest participant – at just 9 months! Maintaining the tradition of the importance of the family boats in the ARC, the stage then turned into a mass of children as all were invited up to receive prizes.

Returning for their third ARC, having sailed in the first and tenth events, were Stale and Annelise Larsen (Viking Crusader, Norway) who were awarded best couple on corrected time. Voted the most beautiful yacht of ARC2010 by the participants, the classic schooner Texel was also the oldest yacht (1921). An award for the best prepared yacht went to Safari. The seven yachts still at sea, got a special mention.

During the crossing a total of 1333 logs were received from 99 yachts, together with hundreds of photographs. Prizes were awarded to Sulana, for their daily descriptions of life at sea, Meltemi for the most visited log (5263 times), and Amelit for best overall log of ARC2010.

After the interval participants and guests re-assembled in the hall for the second part of the ceremony started by a solo trumpet rendition of the St. Lucia National Anthem, and followed by welcome speeches from Louis Lewis, Director St Lucia Tourist Board, Adam Foster, General Manager IGY Rodney Bay Marina, and Allen Chastenet, Minister of Tourism.

Overall Winner of the Cruising Division, Cosimo (French flagged, with Italian owner and crew) were presented with the Jimmy Cornell Trophy, and the SLASPA Trophy for winning Class E. EH01, the Beneteau First 47.7, Global Yacht Racing, won the RORC Racing Division.

With a showering of confetti the ceremony, and ARC2010, were brought to a close. The event will live on in the memories of those who participated and through the many lifelong friendships formed during the last two months.

Article and photo:  Atlantic Rally for Cruisers/World Cruising Club.