 The nine-member crew of the Dodi Chira 69 are ecstatic about winning Arc 2021, crossing the finish line in the pre-dawn hours of Friday 3rd December. The 23-meter monohull had a rough start from Las Palmas, Spain, on 21st November, but as the trade winds picked up, the vessel made good time during the second half of the 3,188 nautical mile route reaching up to incredible speeds of 28 knots. Despite its impressive performance, it was a race to the finish for the Italian vessel with its closest competitor, a French catamaran. Matteo Grassi is the spokesman. We had a lot of wind in the trades coming in the last three or four days, which made the whole thing also feel, you know, big waves, lots of wind. The boat was going very fast. It was really a wonderful experience, good weather overall, except for some very light wind in the beginning coming away from the Canary Islands. But on the whole, just a wonderful race and an amazing boat designed by Guillaume Verdié and Axel de Beaufort, one of the designers of the boats. The crew hailing from Italy, France and the U.S. are seasoned sailors who have braved many transatlantic voyages, but undertaking the arc challenge and winning on the first crossing represents a special victory. Navigator Ambrodio Baccheria says strategy on the open waters is essential. The experience was great for us because I think that we chose the the right routes for us, for the boat also. So at the end, because the day before the start of the race, we were thinking about going north or going south and it was a big difference in strategy and also in comfort and in safety. So at the end, I think that we chose the right thing to do, but it was also the most performance choice that we had because at the end we were able to push the boat 100% all the time and I think that it was clear that like in the last 48 hours, we gave it all and so at the end we also had a great pleasure to say it because I mean sailing the trade with 30 knots and going super fast with this kind of boat, it's super nice. It's wonderful. Since the emergence of COVID-19, organizers of the arc have had to scale down the event. However, they have ensured that the essence and authenticity of the Senution experience is not lost. Event manager Andrew Pickerskill as well as the general manager of the IGY Rodney Bay Marina, Sean Devaux, note that given the pandemic, the arc's platform of camaraderie, diversity and forging of new bonds is even more significant. While we were able to run arc last year, it was much reduced and we're very glad to see the entries for this year are twice or over in fact, twice the number four last with 143 boats and almost 900 crew crossing the Atlantic to arrive in St. Lucia before the prize giving in two weeks time. Considering the start that you had and you know being here now in 11 days, had you had a good start, I think both Andrew and I were probably toying with the idea that there possibly could have been a record for this year which is an amazing achievement. Considering everything we're going through right now with COVID and considering you here in St Lucia, we've managed to pull it off with the support of participants like yourself. I think you have a lot to be proud of. 141 yachts with more than 900 crew members are participating in arc 2021, including 36 children under the age of 16, the youngest being 19 months old. Chairman of the St Lucia Tourism Authority, Thaddeus Antoine, says organizers have been carefully guided by the Ministry of Health to ensure the safe hosting of the arc. The arc has been very important to us in St Lucia. It has been a staple as you know for 32 years and we're hoping there are more spin-offs and you may have been told there's Arc January, so I'm hoping some of you will stay behind to partake in Arc January and then other regretters are built around the arc as we go along. So once again I would like to welcome you to St Lucia and ask you to enjoy the best you can within the limited protocols that we have. Stay safe as we see at the Ministry of Tourism and indeed the Tourism Authority we've now created a safe harbor and not just safe harbor because you're in a marina but safe harbors and Lucia being a beautiful island that it is that you feel very safe in it with the protocols we have established for everybody's safety. Each year the arc pumps up to $10.3 million into the local economy within a three-week period and with the creation of Arc January which sales off on January 9 2022 from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria additional spin-off effects are expected. Arc January follows the same navigational route 60 boats have already registered for this adventure. The introduction of the new component will attract more visitors to the island for a longer stay and entice the participants of Arc December to stay on. Honourable Dr. Ernest Delaire is the Minister for Tourism. The arc contributes significantly to the economy of St Lucia to our tourism return so we are always happy when we have such a large pool of participants I believe we had about 140 yachts or so and we certainly hope that it will continue to grow so please welcome once again enjoy St Lucia let's be merry. Compliant with COVID protocols the Arc program has been adapted to include virtual events and limited gatherings facilitated by World Cruising Club event St Lucia and the St Lucia Tourism Authority. From the Government Information Service Lyssa Joseph reporting