2021 ARC fleet prepares to set sail from the Canary Islands to Grenada

75 sailboats in Las Palmas are making last minute preparations for the 2021 ARC Plus sail to Grenada, departing from the Canary Islands on Sunday 7^th November.

The 2021 World Cruising Club ARC Plus has set the fleet waypoints at the island of São Vicente in Cape Verde. The Canary Islands to Cape Verde leg is expected to take five to seven days, with sailors having a few days to explore, restock and refuel in Las Palmas before setting off again on November 19^th for the Caribbean.

The 2,150-mile open ocean crossing to St George’s, Grenada, is estimated to take between 12 to 16 days, with the fleet expected in Grenada at around 1^st December. The ARC Plus and ARC Routes take two different fleets on separate routes across the Atlantic. The two-leg route and landfall in Grenada allows the ARC Plus fleet to split the long sails and take their time in the Caribbean once they arrive.

Zara Tremlett CMM, marina manager at Port Louis Marina, commented, “The team at Port Louis Marina and I are so excited to be welcoming this year’s ARC Plus participants. We have worked so hard with many partners to ensure the arrival in Grenada is as streamlined as possible, and that everyone experiences the outstanding Grenadine charm.”

ARC participants sailing the direct route from the Canaries to St. Lucia are scheduled to depart on 21^st November, two weeks after the ARC Plus fleet. Around 150 yachts are signed up for the 3000-mile direct route.

The ARC Plus is broken into two legs, Canary Islands to Cape Verde and Cape Verde to Grenada, for cruisers looking for a more relaxed pace. This route has become popular with young families, as the 2021 edition will include 44 children among participants from 22 nations, with the youngest sailor checking in at only 19 months old.

Zara Tremlett CMM, marina manager at Port Louis Marina, continued, “There will be a fantastic atmosphere at the marina when the boats arrive. Arriving yachts will have to quarantine on our superyacht docks, and then upon a negative result for Coronavirus be moved to their berth in the marina. We wish all the participants safe sailing from the Canary Islands to Grenada via Cape Verde.”

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