Historical Seas Tall Ships Regatta – Race Update 1

The 17-strong fleet racing the first leg of the first race in the Historical Seas Tall Ships Regatta, which started yesterday, have made good progress over night. The wind, which has now increased to a steady 6-8 knots from the west means all ships have now passed the first waypoint. 

The 94m Russian sail training ship Mir is leading the fleet on the water, with the Class D yacht Hansa, Spain lying second on the water. 

On corrected time Mythos, Greece (Class C) is leading overall and in her class. Akela, Russia (Class D) is second overall and first in her class. In third overall on corrected time and second in Class D is Adonis, Greece. Fourth overall and leading Class A is Mir. And Bodrum, Turkey is first in Class B on corrected time, with Tecla, Netherlands second. 

The forecast for later is westerly Force 2 increasing to southerly Force 5 by this evening. By early Saturday morning the wind is expected to drop Force 4 from the south.

So far the racing has been very interesting. Decisions made by the captains about course and position became very important as the wind would change unpredictably. In positions no more than three miles apart there were differences of more than ninety degrees in wind direction. Ships going in the same direction could be on different tacks. 

Thus some ships in the back of the field got the opportunity to pass by the rest of the fleet. C and D class vessels seemed to have an advantage in the first hours but were set back later. 

Mir was the first to round WP 1 shortly followed by Bodrum who fell back during the night.

This morning light but steady winds are being experienced. If the weather remains this way tonight’s roll call will see the first finishes.

To track the fleet as they race click here. 

To view the current placings of the race click here. 

The Historical Seas Tall Ships Regatta is organised by Sail Training International.