Racing on the ARC aboard a Volvo 60: Lorient-Canaries-Caribbean

Embark on a cross-Atlantic race in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers as a crew member aboard a crewed Volvo 60. Departing from Lorient in southern Brittany, this first offshore leg will take you to the island of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers will set off from Las Palmas, heading for St. Lucia in the West Indies!

You'll be joining the ARC as a crew member on a monohull built for the Volvo Ocean Race, a crewed round-the-world race with stopovers. Supervised by a professional crew of four sailors with Merchant Navy and Youth & Sport qualifications, you'll be responsible for the organization, supervision, training, and safety on board.

Plan

Boarding takes place in Lorient, in southern Brittany. The first leg of this transatlantic voyage involves 1,300 nautical miles on a direct route. First, the Bay of Biscay in winter, then the descent along Portugal to reach the Canary Islands. A true training exercise before the ARC's departure, we've set aside nine days for this voyage. It may be faster or slower, depending on the weather conditions encountered and the quality of the crew.

This is truly a committed voyage where everyone actively participates in the smooth running of the ship: 100% participatory! It is a racing boat, without autopilot or furlers on the headsails. Throughout the crossing, life on board is organized in watches, three in number, also called a watch. These navigation watches change every 3 or 4 hours, whether for the smooth running of the ship but also for stewardship and rest.

Beyond the navigation, crossing the Atlantic requires self-denial and resilience. It's an opportunity to "let go" of the earthly rhythm, to "reconnect" with oneself, and enjoy simple pleasures. A competitive spirit is essential for undertaking such an ordeal.

You may have to endure bad weather, cold at the beginning, then heat. You must therefore be mentally and physically prepared to participate in a transatlantic race, which is also a race.

About a week before the ARC sets sail, the boat and its crew must be present in the port of Las Palmas for the festivities, safety checks and briefings before the big jump! Every year, more than 1,000 crew members from 20 different nationalities embark on the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers… People like you: some have just taken a sabbatical year, their retirement or a month of vacation to try the adventure!

Everyone is heading for Saint Lucia in the Caribbean. The boat is registered for the ARC race in the "Racing" division. We've budgeted about 15 days for this Atlantic crossing, but it could also be faster depending on the weather conditions encountered and the quality of the crew. The trade winds aren't always established when we leave the Canaries and sometimes require a dip south, towards Cape Verde. The distances to be covered are then greater.

Crossing the Atlantic Ocean remains an adventure. Having become more accessible in recent years, a transatlantic race remains the feat of a lifetime, one we can't wait to share with you.

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Other information

The skipper for this activity speaks english and french. To participate you must speak one of the languages spoken on board.

It is possible to do only stage 2, the ARC departing from Las Palmas. The price is €9,850.

At least 1/3 of the crew must have completed the World Sailing (formerly ISAF) course, which is valid for 5 years. If you wish to take this 3-day course (sea survival, fire, medical, etc.), it is possible to take it at the CEPS in Lorient or in another city.

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Boat details

This VOR60 was designed and built to compete in the 2001-02 Volvo Ocean Race, a crewed round-the-world race. Entered under the name Djuice Dragons, it was skippered by Knut Frostad, with Thomas Coville as Watch Leader and Jean-Yves Bernot as Navigator.
This racing sailboat is a high-performance, extreme boat, a Formula 1 of the seas with very spartan comfort. This demanding and powerful unit is now lined up for the starts of offshore races, measured in IRC 0 (Rolex Fastnet Race, Armen Race, Tour de Belle Ile, Rolex Middle Sea Race, Voiles de Saint-Tropez, Transat, etc.).
Extremely seaworthy and fast, this large 65-foot monohull is built for the open sea. Skippered by four professional sailors, it accommodates 10 crew members/clients for ocean racing. For sleeping and dining on board, it's the bare minimum! 14 bunks, a gas stove, and a toilet. The navigation station is located aft, under the cockpit. On deck, there are dual helm stations and dual winch columns for grinders! Hydraulics and ballast tanks complete the power on board.
Rigged as a sloop with a carbon mast, the Volvo 60 has a large and varied sail wardrobe! Up front, you'll be spoiled for choice: J1, J2, J3, J4, code zero, asymmetrical spinnaker, symmetrical spinnaker. The mainsail is full batten.

Specifications