St Lucia: Ernest Hilaire welcomes first Atlantic Rally for Cruisers boat

The first boat from the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers January Race (ARC January) arrived in St Lucia on January 24. It crossed the finish line at the Rodney Bay Marina. The ship was welcomed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Dr Ernest Hilaire. He shared the photos on his Facebook page and said that the 40 ft Croatian Flagged Mowgli was the first ship to cross at the finish line in St Lucia, fifteen days, 14 hours, and 20 seconds after the fleet left Las Palmas on January 9, "Welcoming the first boat for the first ever ARC January 2022 here in Saint Lucia,"

Dr Hilaire, the Minister of Tourism, stated that he is overjoyed that the first boat has arrived, "Our long experience with the ARC attests to the trust we've established with the organisers."

The ARC January event, according to Geraine Georges, Public Relations Manager for the St Lucia Tourism Authority, attracted more sailors than prior ARC events.

"The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers January leg was is known as the second leg of the main event."

According to Georges, more sailors are arriving for an even longer duration for the ARC January event than for the main ARC event.

"ARC January was conceived when ARC + sailed for Grenada. The sailors stay in St Lucia after the main ARC event ends and meet, and then ARC January arrives and the sailors meet."

The new ARC January rally will take the classic route, direct from Gran Canaria to St Lucia.

The new ARC January rally will take the classic route, direct from Gran Canaria to St Lucia.  The new rally will provide all of the activities, workshops, and social gatherings that cruisers have come to anticipate from the ARC prior to departure.

According to Georges, the event has a significant impact on the local economy in terms of tourism.