19/01/2026
In the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) 2025, our colleague Vanessa Aladin successfully completed her first transatlantic crossing, sailing 17 days from Gran Canaria to St. Lucia in the Caribbean. ⛵️🌍
The opportunity came unexpectedly and with little time to prepare, but the immediate support around her was a very positive experience. “My manager quickly understood that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and agreed that if I wanted to go, we would find a way."
The demanding journey relied on teamwork and leadership. “If the crew doesn’t work, nothing works,” the skipper often emphasized. Vanessa says the experience allowed her to see how important it is to build trust when things are calm, so there is something to rely on when things get difficult. In her role as a manager, she holds these lessons close.
The experience highlighted the importance of balance. “When you get to do something like this, you come back with a different kind of drive.” She believes that when support extends beyond work, it creates commitment and a feeling of being valued. For her, the contrast between experiences like this and everyday work is essential.
She encourages others not to leave meaningful things for tomorrow: life happens now. 💡
