In 2013, almost exactly 15 years after I had stopped my involvement with the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers), I decided to launch the Atlantic Odyssey, the aim of which was to bring back the original non-competitive and non-commercial spirit of my earlier rallies, with the emphasis on safety, friendship and the enjoyment of taking part in a purely amateur event.
A dozen more transatlantic rallies have followed since then, the various Odysseys being a great success among cruising sailors and attracting mostly families, among them many couples with children.
As a cruising sailor myself I knew very well what sailors needed before and during an ocean passage. From pre-start seminars and practical demonstrations to cultural visits and activities for children, each Odyssey was characterised by a joyful atmosphere of camaraderie.
Over the years I have been fortunate to meet many outstanding people among the sailors taking part in my rallies and many have become close friends. It is indeed the people whom I met that have been the main source of satisfaction in organising these events, and this is what I shall miss most.
But, as with everything else in life, there comes a point to stop. Having achieved my aim of recreating the spirit and atmosphere of my earlier rallies, the moment has arrived to close this chapter in my life. The Caribbean Odyssey starting from Tenerife on 6 January will be the last.
Good-bye,
Jimmy Cornell
