MARION, SC, November 9, 2007: Beneteau sailboat owners are leading the pack in this year’s Atlantic Rally for Cruisers as the yacht of choice among the record setting number of passage makers.

The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) is expecting a record-setting year, with 240 yachts confirmed to take part in this year's transoceanic cruising rally from Gran Canaria to St. Lucia in November, topping the previous maximum of 234 entrants in ARC 1999. With more yachts currently on the waiting list, the final entry figure may be higher still.

Of the 240 yachts, one shipbuilder is represented more than any other. Beneteau has 43 boats entered in the race, more than double the next most numerous brand, Jeanneau, which has 20 boats in the rally.

World Cruising Club, the organisers of the ARC, is currently gearing up for the departure of the ARC 2007 fleet from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on Sunday 25 November. Now in its 22nd year, the ARC has always had an international audience, and 2007 is no exception, with 24 different nations represented within the fleet, and many more nationalities are represented across the crews, making the ARC not only the World's largest transoceanic sailing event, but also its most diverse.

“A cruise like this is never taken lightly,” Beneteau USA President Wayne Burdick said. “It’s great to see the number one brand, Beneteau, so dominant in such a challenging event. With an amazing turnout like this, it is good to see that Beneteau owners have absolute faith in the ocean-going ability of our boats. We wish all of them a safe crossing.”

For more information on the ARC and to track progress, go to http://www.worldcruising.com/arc/.