ARC, the herald angels sing!

If there's one thing a hardy sailor needs, as proved by nearly 350 years of Royal Naval tradition, it's a good tot of rum to up spirits and provide an excuse to pass idle chatter. Now participants in the world's largest cruise-in-company will enjoy just that with the announcement that Pusser's Rum will be supporting the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC).

The ARC, run by Brit company World Cruising, sees a mass-migration of sailing yachts from Europe to the Caribbean. Favoured by yachtsmen for both its support network and its competitive element, the ARC has become something of an institution. The route follows a course from Las Palmas, on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria, to Rodney Bay marina, St Lucia, in the Caribbean.

Entrants, who range from singelhanders and couples on small- to medium-sized cruising yachts to full racing crews on larger speed-sleds, get to enjoy a string of parties both before departure in Las Palmas, and on arrival in St Lucia, as well as a comprehensive radio net to help them across the Atlantic. Pusser's will be making sure that the yachtsmen get a taste of the Caribbean before leaving, and a taste of celebration on arrival! Pusser's will also be providing crew caps, and a coveted skipper's hat, for each yacht, as well as a Pusser's document case and several of the prizes.

If you want to get your yacht into the ARC 2004, you might be out of luck, as all 225 available places were filled long ago! But now World Cruising have started a new route, sailing from Marina Rubicon on the Canary Island of Lanzarote to Jolly Harbour, Antigua, in the Caribbean. Called the Rubicon Antigua Challenge, there are plenty of spaces available, and fear not - Pusser's is supporting the RAC too!

The RAC from Lanzarote to Antigua will start on 20 November, with the first yachts expected in Jolly Harbour 10 days to two weeks later. The ARC from Gran Canaria to St Lucia will start on 21 November, with the first yachts due in Rodney Bay 10 days to two weeks later..

To follow the progress of the fleet, catch up with other World Cruising news and events, or to enter for the RAC this year (or enquire about the ARC next year...), you can visit the World Cruising website at www.worldcruising.com