Historic Harlingen is perfect host

The historic port and old town of Harlingen, Netherlands hosted the ninth Sail Training International (STI) Tall Ships Class A Forum this spring.

Tall Ship vessel operators from around the world visited the city, along with The Tall Ship Races 2014 host port representatives.

Harlingen is the start port for the Tall Ships Races 2014, along with Fredrikstad and Bergen in Norway and Esbjerg in Denmark.  They hosted this popular annual event to mark their involvement in the world famous Tall Ships Races in 2014.

About the Class A Tall Ships Forum

The Forum is managed by an Executive Committee under the chairmanship of Uwe Delfs Jespersen, who said. äóìäóìClass A vessels are the largest Tall Ships engaged in sail training for young people and the Forum gives the operators a single voice at an international level.  Harlingen was a wonderful port to meet in.  We made good progress in our work on a number of useful projects, continuously aiming to provide the best possible conditions for the ships and their trainees alike.”

Paul Bishop, Head of Race Directorate at Sail Training International said, äóìHarlingen’ generous support of our Class A forum was a wonderful opportunity for them to showcase the excellent facilities and plans they have in place for hosting The Tall Ships Races 2014 next July.äó

About Harlingen

Harlingen is an historic port and old town in the northern Netherlands that serves as the ferry terminus for the islands of Terschelling and Vlieland.  It has a long history of fishing and shipping and is a centre for traditional Dutch sailing barges, a number of which are usually moored in the harbour. The heart of town is the Voorstraat, a long, tree-lined avenue that’s home to an elegant eighteenth-century Stadhuis and the Hannemahuis Museum.

Photo: Members of the Class A Tall Ships Forum and 2014 host port representatives.

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For further information contact Sally Titmus, Communications and Marketing Manager, Sail Training International +44 (0)23 9258 6367, mobile +44 (0)7827 298733 sally.titmus@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.

A two-minute film can be seen here:

http://www.sailtraininginternational.org/news/gallery-list/films

About 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 Ship Races and other international Tall Ship sailing events.  STI members are 29 national Sail Training organisations around the world an