A race for all

Truly the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) is an event for our times: a phenomena. For the very few who are uninitiated, it’s essentially a mass migration of yachts that leaves Las Palmas every November in order to escape a life of routine and to go in search of a life less ordinary. These are the refugees of Generation X; the flotsam of a generation who have earned a retirement gift of more time and money than they know what to do with. The result of this charming dilemma is a giant cruise in company across the Atlantic. Rookie skippers are ushered to the start line with the aid of the World Cruising Club, which provides patient support, safety guidance and checks plus a berth and a liberal smattering of drinks receptions. It’s utterly fascinating as a snapshot