Cara of the South Joins 2026 ARC+ Rally
The 10.67-metre Irish-flagged Tradewind 35 is the smallest yacht in the transatlantic fleet departing the Canary Islands for Grenada.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Cruises
Cara of the South, a 10.67-metre Tradewind 35 flying the Irish flag, entered the 2026 ARC+ transatlantic rally as its smallest yacht. The fleet held its opening ceremony in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on 1 November 2026.
Why it matters
The rally brings together 352 sailors from 28 countries on a two-stage passage from the Canary Islands to Grenada via Cape Verde. Smaller boats in the fleet share the same course as the larger yachts, illustrating how the event is open to a wide range of vessel sizes.
The 2026 ARC+ fleet includes 352 sailors from 28 countries, with Cara of the South at 10.67 metres the smallest of the entries. Its performance on the crossing has not yet been reported.
The players
World Cruising Club
World Cruising Club is a long-established organiser of offshore sailing events, best known for running the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers.
The details
The shoreside programme began on 28 October and includes safety demonstrations, bluewater sailing seminars and social events. The opening ceremony in Las Palmas featured a parade of national flags accompanied by local bands Banda Guiniguada and Batucada Paixão.
Timeline
28 October 2026: Shoreside programme begins in Las Palmas.
1 November 2026: Opening ceremony held at Las Palmas Marina.
6 November 2026: Farewell party scheduled.
8 November 2026: Fleet scheduled to depart Las Palmas for Cape Verde.
Travel Outlook
The ARC+ extends the long-running Atlantic Rally for Cruisers format, which World Cruising Club has organised for decades, into a two-stage route from the Canary Islands to Grenada. The format keeps yachts of varied sizes on a shared course across the Atlantic.
Readers following the rally can track the fleet's progress from the Canary Islands to Grenada across the two-stage route. The 6 November farewell party and 8 November departure date are the key scheduled moments for anyone planning to watch the start.
The takeaway
The 2026 ARC+ shows that transatlantic rallies remain open to small yachts alongside much larger boats. Cara of the South's crew will share the first passage to Cape Verde with the full fleet.
What happens next
The fleet is scheduled to depart Las Palmas for Cape Verde on 8 November 2026, with a farewell party on 6 November.
Further reading
Explore more on Cruises for related voyages and sailing routes.
