The Leg That Started It All

I have signed up to do the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) towards the end of this year, racing from Gran Canaria to St Lucia and hopefully avoiding any laggard hurricanes, as the season should be over by the date of the start of the race.

Many of my friends consider this to be madness at my age of 74 and, on reflection, I am inclined to agree with them!

I am hoping not to experience the mighty storms my wife encountered on her race, with 20-metre waves and 100mph winds.

The current 2025/26 race is nearing completion, with Team Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) enjoying an unassailable lead. They have amassed 126 points, while their nearest challenger, Power of Seattle, has 81 points.

However, second place is still all to play for. Team Scotland has 79 points, London Business School has 77, and Yacht Club Punta del Este has 67. A total of 17 points is available for the winner of Leg 8.

The fleet has now reached Washington DC and will soon leave for the final leg of the race across the Atlantic Ocean, arriving in Portsmouth on 25 July.

The skipper of GOSH is Oliver Irvine and his Additional Qualified Person (AQP) is Otto Kulow. Otto stayed with my cousin Amanda Dreyer in Cowes for several weeks before the race start in September 2025, while gathering the necessary qualifications and experience, so we have followed GOSH with extra interest.