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Turku, Finland


Following the withdrawal of Turku and Mariehamn, Tall Ships Races International Ltd. and the Tall Ships Races 2021 Host Ports of Klaipeda, Tallinn and Szczecin, have jointly agreed to cancel The Tall Ships Races 2021.

You can read the full announcement regarding this here.

The Tall Ships fleet returns to Turku for the sixth time for The Tall Ships Races 2021. The Finnish port had hosted the Tall Ships Races and Regattas five times previously (1996, 2003, 2009, 2011and 2017).

Each event has been a huge success, and the four days of celebrations in 2017 brought over 544,000 visitors from far and wide, including the country’s president, Sauli Niinistö.

2021 will mark 10 years since Turku was named the European Capital of Culture and 25 years since it first hosted the Tall Ships. Welcoming The Tall Ships Races back to the shores of the River Aura will be the perfect anniversary celebrations. 

Over the years, Turku has proved itself to be a world-class venue for major events such as ours, and we very much look forward to returning to Turku in 2021. The River Aura has always provided a superb intimate location for the fleet, giving visitors a close-up view of the diverse range of vessels taking part in this years event.

We are confident that Turku will deliver an unforgettable event for trainees, vessel operators and visitors alike and we eagerly await our return to this vibrant city and its beautiful natural surroundings.”

Race Chairman, Einar Corwin, Sail Training International

Turku is one of the oldest cities in the Nordic region, and it was Finland’s capital until it was overtaken by Helsinki. The Archbishop of Finland moved to Turku in 1229 and it became the wealthy crux of religion for the country – this left a lasting impression.

Today, Turku is home to Finland’s second-largest university. Together with four other institutions of higher education they host over 40,000 students. As a result, it’s a vibrant cultural hub with an abundance of festivals and experimental art.

The port of Turku has served Finland for nearly a whole millennia (860 years), and it’s the centre of Finland’s bustling second city. It’s fed by the Aura River, which is the heart and soul of the city, its birthplace, and an essential element of life the whole city is centred around the water running through it. The banks of the river are home to vibrant restaurants, cafes and museums.

To the south-west of Turku, there’s a route to the finest archipelago in Europe, with more than 40,000 islands and rocky islets. For a sailor, the archipelago offers unforgettable experiences, including little villages on the islands, peaceful natural surroundings, glaciated rocks carved by the ice age, and guest harbours.

Media

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