Double celebrations for Atyla
Traditional wooden schooner Atyla (Netherlands) and her owner/manager, Rodrigo de la Serna celebrate birthdays during the SCF Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta.
Atyla is a popular member of the Black Sea Tall Ships Fleet is the two masted schooner. Truly a ‘citizen’ of the world, she sails under a Netherlands flag though her home port is Ibiza.
The schooner was designed in 1980, hand-built and launched on 15 May 1984, (at that time named Itaso-Petronor after the oil company which had sponsored her) by Esteban Vicente Jimenez. Her primary mission was to circumnavigate the world, following the route of the first spanish sailor, Juan Sebastiíçn Elcano. However, just one week prior to departing, the sponsor withdrew their funding and the trip had to be cancelled.
Retained by the family, two years later the schooner travelled to the Canary islands under the name Marea Errota, where she remained until 2005, providing tourist excursions. This service continued in Spain with yet another change of name – this time to Cantabria Infinita.
In 2011 she was given a major refit and yet another change of name. In June 2013 the ‘new’ Atyla was moved to San Antonio de Portmany, Ibiza, which is now her home port. Still owned by the same family who built her, she is now managed and sailed by Rodrigo de la Serna, nephew of the original builder. The family watch her progress closely and have regular contact.
“The Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta has been a great experience for us. So many people can see Atyla doing what she was built to do – which was to travel the world, not staying in one port all the time”, said Rodrigo.
Atyla will also be taking part in the Tall Ships Races in the Baltic this summer, and by the end of the races she will have sailed across nine seas, visited 15 countries, stopped in 25 ports and completed 20,000 miles of navigation. Crew places are still available, and anyone interested in learning more can visit www.atylaship.com
Two birthday celebrations have taken place onboard in the last few days – Atyla‘s 30th birthday yesterday, 15 March, and Rodrigo’s own 25th birthday a few days earlier.
Pic: Atyla entering Sochi
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About Sail Training International (STI)
STI is the international voice of Sail Training, a registered charity (not-for-profit organisation), which has worldwide membership and activities. Its purpose is the development and education of young people through the Sail Training experience, regardless of nationality, culture, religion, gender or social background. It organises the annual Tall Ships Races and other international Tall Ship sailing events. STI members are 29 national Sail Training organisations around the world and STI’ head office is in Gosport, Hampshire, UK.
The organisation was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 2007 for its work in promoting international understanding and friendship. www.sailtraininginternational.org
What is sail training?
Sail Training is an adventure activity, which includes far more than sailing instruction. Participants are required to confront demanding challenges, both physical and emotional. It is an activity that inspires self-confidence and personal responsibility. It promotes an acceptance of others, whatever their social or cultural backgrounds, and develops a willingness to take controlled risks. Those who undertake Sail Training on Tall Ships generally find it a positive life-changing experience.
For more information about the event visit Sail Training Internatio
