Published 13 years ago, updated 6 years ago

ARC2011: Med Spirit Takes Line Honours

Atlantic crossing in 11 days and 14 hours

2 December 2011, Cowes UK

ARC2011 line honors were taken last night by the Franco-Russian team onboard Med Spirit. The 28.70m super-maxi (ex Bols) skippered by Vladimir Kulinichenko and crewed by a mix of Russian and French sailors made the ARC crossing from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia in 11 days, 14 hours, 9 minutes and 37 seconds, finishing at 02:54:37 UTC on 2 December.

Alain Delhumeau’s 50′ Lerouge Pulsar trimaran, Rayon Vert (FRA) narrowly missed out online honors, having led the fleet since the start. Rayon Vert finished 1 hour 26 minutes behind Med Spirit after a light airs gybing battle that saw both boats come within 5 miles of Barbados as they sought a favorable angle. Rayon Vert’s finishing time was 04:20 UTC on 2 December.

Although both chasing the ARC crossing record, the boats chose different tactics from the start, with Rayon Vert taking a course about 300 miles north of Med Spirit. Impressive speeds have been logged, with both boats making 300 plus mile days.

The boats were greeted in traditional ARC style with Saint Lucian drummers and a welcome rum punch for the 17 crew onboard Med Spirit and the five onboard Rayon Vert. Every boat finishing the ARC receives a personal welcome, with a fruit basket, rum punch, and beers.

ARC Crossing Record

Light winds for the approach Saint Lucia means that the ARC crossing record remains intact. Set in 2006 by Rinaldo del Bono with Capricorno (ITA) of 11 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes and 30 seconds.

Other Finishers

Bright orange Gunboat 66 Phaedo (USA) was the third boat to finish at 09:00 UTC, making her the first boat across the line in the Multihull Division (Rayon Vert is sailing in the Open Division). Forth across the line, two hours later, was Whitbread maxi Rothmans (SWE).

The first sub-sixty-footer to finish should be Open 40 Vaquita (AUT), expected in around 16:00 UTC today. After Vaquita, the next finishers are not expected until early on 4 December. The bulk of the cruising fleet will arrive in the next 10 days.