Celebrations in Saint Lucia for the finish of World ARC 2025-26

The World ARC 2025-26 concluded with celebrations in Saint Lucia after an incredible 26,000 nautical mile sailing circumnavigation. The rally lasted 15 months and included over 25 stopovers in 18 countries. A total of 35 boats participated, with 20 completing the entire trip, marking a significant achievement for all crews involved.

Alison Farmer, sailing aboard the smallest vessel, *Walrus*, expressed her pride upon crossing the finish line, reminiscing about the unforgettable experiences, including night watches under starlit skies. The spirit of camaraderie was highlighted by fellow sailor Jan Weustink of *Mulan*, who noted the deep connections formed among participants, calling them the “best people in the world”.

Following their arrival, the fleet took part in a parade and several social events, showcasing local hospitality and the joy of shared stories from their adventures. Celebratory activities included a sunset dinner cruise and friendly gatherings at Marigot Bay.

The event wrapped up with a prizegiving dinner on 18 April, recognising the unique contributions of each vessel. Special mentions went to sailors who provided valuable support during the rally, as well as the young participants, dubbed ‘Junior Explorers’, who experienced rich educational and cultural exchanges throughout their journey.

World Cruising Club Managing Director, Paul Tetlow, remarked on the monumental accomplishment of completing the circumnavigation, emphasizing the meaningful friendships and memories forged during this extraordinary voyage. The event not only celebrates the distances covered but also the cultural connections made across the globe.

With crews hailing from 25 countries and ranging in age from 5 to 80, the bonds formed—both during formal activities and independent cruising opportunities—will extend well beyond the event itself. Participants often keep in touch and plan reunions, further solidifying the World ARC’s legacy as a vibrant sailing community.

As the rally concludes, sailors now head in various directions, each taking with them not only navigational skills but also lifelong friendships stamped by unique experiences across diverse cultures.

To learn more about upcoming World Cruising Club events, click here

World ARC 2025-26 Information

World ARC 2025-26 Route: The fleet left Saint Lucia to visit Santa Marta, Colombia, before transiting the Panama Canal and into the Pacific. There are a mix of rally legs/stages and independent cruising, covering the Galapagos, Marquesas, Society Islands, including Bora Bora and Tahiti, Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu before making landfall in Mackay, Australia. The yachts cruised the Great Barrier Reef before departing Darwin to Lombok, Indonesia, then across the Indian Ocean to Christmas Island, Cocos Keeling, Mauritius and Reunion to South Africa for Christmas 2025. In January 2026 the fleet departed Cape Town for Namibia and then across the Atlantic to St Helena and on to Recife in Brazil, cruising the Brazilian coast during carnival season before sailing to Grenada, then to the finish in Saint Lucia.
The Rally started on 11 January 2025 in Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia and finished with the Parade of Sail on 18 April 2026 in Saint Lucia.
2025-26 Rally is the fifteenth edition of World ARC, and the sixteenth round-the-world rally organised by World Cruising Club.
Boats can join for the whole circumnavigation or for half a rally to and from Australia or Indonesia.
35 boats (26 monohulls and 8 catamarans and 1 trimaran) sailed in World ARC 2025-26. 20 completed the entire circumnavigation, 28 boats sailed the second half of the Rally and 27 boats sailed as part of the first half of the Rally.
Smallest boat: Hallberg Rassy 39, Walrus (GBR). (12.22M).
Largest boat: Hoek Modern Classic, Copihue (GBR).(22.8M).
Boat brands: 23 brands in total took part. The most common brands of boat were Halberg-Rassy (5), Jeanneau (4) and Swan (4).
Boat flag nationalities: 11 in total. These included: United Kingdom (11), United States of America (8), Germany (4), Jersey (3), Australia (2), Malaysia (2), Switzerland (1), Austria (1), Spain (1), Netherlands (1) and Cook Islands (1).
409 sailors from 25 countries took part in at least one leg of the Rally. These included United Kingdom (121), United States of America (74), Germany (57), Australia (26), Netherlands (21), France (13), New Zealand (12), South Africa (9), Switzerland (8), Sweden (7), Spain (7), Canada (7), Belgium (6), Austria (3), Portugal (3), Ireland (3), Italy (2), Croatia (1), Mauritius (1), Norway (1), China (1), Colombia (1), Finland (1) and Estonia (1).
Sailors on the Rally are aged between 5 and 80 years.
11 children (under 16 years-old) took part in the Rally.
World ARC 2026-27 is currently at sea in French Polynesia, enjoying independent cruising.
World ARC 2027-28 will depart Saint Lucia on 9 January 2027 and is expected to have 25-30 entries.
The route, pricing and entry list for World ARC 2028-29 will be released in summer 2026.