Arthur Farley beats rare cancer and takes 3rd place in RORC Virtual Transatlantic race
by Paul Wells 1 Feb 13:10 GMT
Arthur Farley takes 3rd place in RORC Virtual Transatlantic race © World Sailing
Arthur Farley from Wootton, Isle of Wight, one of the world's great VR sailors, has done it again, racing against 27,934 other players he managed third overall in the 2,900 mile RORC Virtual Transatlantic Race, which set off from Lanzarote to the island of Grenada. Finishing the race in 15 days 5 hours 20 mins gaining third position and only 11mins and 39 seconds behind the winning boat.
Virtual racing is just like the real thing in so much as you have to plan your route based on tidal currents and future wind conditions and then plan to change course and or sails to match wind conditions (regardless of the time of day). Arthur is running a virtual watch pattern, waking at 4am if necessary to alter course or change sails.
Arthur first came to prominence in ESailing in 2022 and is now one of the worlds best VR eSailors:
- Vice World Champion 2022, 2023,
- Won the Olympic Esport series and EsailGP World Title in 2021/22
- Current and two-times GBR National Champion 2021/22
- All the time competing against around 65,000+ players
The Offshore version, which is played by one million players, saw Arthur manage to be one of the worlds best there, winning and podiuming frequently.
Of course E-racing is just part of what he does, and when he is not training hard in or racing his ILCA he is aiming for Olympic medals. So far his successes have included:
- Full time athlete from September 2022
- Part of British Youth Sailing squad focused for 2028 and further Games
- ILCA 7/Laser Standard Under 19 European champion 2022
- ILCA 7 vice national Champion 2021
- ILCA 6/Laser Radial Under 19/17 National champion 2020
Arthur contracted HCL (Hairy Cell Leukaemia) at some point during his early campaigns but wasn't diagnosed until after he won the Under 19 European Championships in 2022. He subsequently spent 8 months in and out of hospital, and he needs sponsorship to help him get back on track.
As he says, "I won the Europeans with HCL, so just imagine how fast I could go without it!"
Arthur is currently looking for sponsorship or individual donations to help fund his campaign. Please see www.gofundme.com/f/Arthur-F-return-to-Olympic-focus-with-Cancer for individual donations and a pamphlet for potential commercial sponsors that outlines is successes and his hopes.