© ©  Royal Southampton Yacht Club 2007

ROYAL Southampton members Stuart and Pauline Gillard set off from the Canary Islands on Sunday to cross the Atlantic in their 43ft Jenneau Waterside.

Going with them as crew are club members Terry Fellingham, Mick Glenister and Nigel Stewart. They fly out to Gran Canaria from Southampton today to join the boat.

They are taking part in this year's Atlantic Rally for Cruisers in which more than 200 yachts set off for what has become an annual classic event, and is now a favoured way for making an Atlantic crossing in company.

The rally has become the largest transocean sailing event in the world, and the Royal Southampton members getting preparations under way in Las Palmas today join yachtsmen and women and their crews from all over the world. The Caribbean destination is Rodney Bay in St.Lucia, one of the most beautiful islands in the Lesser Antilles.

The 2,700 nautical mile passage on the NE tradewind route takes on average between 14 and 21 days.

The Rally is established as a friendly race for cruising yachts to make the Atlantic crossing both safer and more enjoyable. Participating yachts must carry a range of safety equipment including a liferaft, EPIRB and VHF radio. Daily radio nets contribute further to the safety of participants.

Those who have taken part in past years say the ARC has a special flavour, which successfully combines racers with cruisers, old with young, and provides entertainment for all.

A wide ranging programme of entertainment takes place both before the start and after the finish. The ARC enjoys the support of the Tourist Authority of Gran Canaria, the Port Authority of Las Palmas, Rol Nautic and the St.Lucia Board of Tourism.