Front of Fleet Enjoy Fast Sailing

Race 1 of The Tall Ships Races 2012 is well underway with the majority of fleet having crossed the virtual start line within the allocated 12 hour window.

The moderate NW wind has made good sailing conditions and the vessels at

the front of the fleet have been enjoying some fast sailing.

Ebb Tide (UK, Class C) is leading the fleet with 500 miles to go until the finish line

with Rona II (UK, Class D) following her.

Mir (Russia) has been sailing at around ten

knots since the start and leads the Class A fleet with 509 miles to go.

Jolie Brise (UK) is leading Class B with 540 miles to go.

Just three vessels are still to cross the start line: Zvezda (Russia) is less than ten miles from the start line; Hosanna (France) called into Ushant to fix a minor problem and is now on her way; Den Store Bjoern (Denmark) is in Brest for a minor problem and is expected to cross the start line tomorrow to join the race.

The NW winds are due to increase later on Thursday and back against them

to the SW which will slow progress for a while before moderating and

veering to a favourable NW from Saturday.

Corrected time places will start from tomorrow morning which is based on a unique formula created by Sail Training International (STI) used in all STI races and regattas.

The rule of rating is not the same as a handicap system used in a

lot of other sailing races which has a subjective human interpretation. 

A

vessel’ ‘form’ or recorded performance is taken directly into

account with a handicap system, whereas a rule of rating relies purely

on a set of dimensions and other relevant data being fed into a formula

to give a Time Correction Factor (TCF).

Paul Bishop, Race Director for The Tall Ships Races 2012 explains: “The Rule of Rating has been remarkably successful in allowing such a

diverse racing fleet to compete on an equal footing, and is in itself

part of a winning formula which does so much to foster friendship each

year amongst a truly international fleet.”

For a full explanation in addition to latest race reports, keep visiting www.sailtraininginternational.org.

The Tall Ships Races 2012, Presented by Szczecin and organised by Sail Training International is taking place in the following host ports: 

St Malo – Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 July (race start Monday 9 July)

Lisbon – Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 July

Cadiz – Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 July

A Coruí±a – Friday 10 to Monday 13 August

Dublin – Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 August

Behind the scenes insights on Twitter @tallshipsraces and Facebook