The ARC organiser
Jeremy Wyatt, communications director at the World Cruising Club, has seen the types of small yachts taking part in the world’s biggest sailing rally broaden over the past few years.
‘We see a mix of smaller cruising boats in the ARC, from modern boats such as Beneteau Oceanis 38s and Hallberg-rassy 372s, both very conventional types, plus a few very traditional types such as Rival 38As.
‘One interesting recent trend has been towards the concept of small fast cruisers. The ARC this year had a Pogo 30 as its smallest entrant. By sailing faster, the boat can be lighter since less food, fuel and water are needed for crossing an ocean. In addition to the Pogos, the plywood/epoxy RM 1050 was also in the fleet this year, designed to a similar theory.’