A Coruí±a Celebrates Tall Ships

Spain and sailors from thirty countries had a lot to celebrate in A Coruí±a today (Saturday 11 August).

Iskra Orp (Poland) celebrated her birthday during the four day festival at A Coruí±a port, the penultimate leg of The Tall Ships Races 2012. Though you never ask a lady her age, this beautiful Class A vessel  was thirty, but looks only twenty!

Crew and trainees of The Tall Ships Races 2012 celebrated their 50-day sailing adventure with a  spectacular Crew Parade, which danced its way through the streets of A Coruí±a and gathered in a rousing assembly in the town square.

The Mayor of A Coruí±a, Carlos Negreira, welcomed the international crews to the city by saying they were the best future we have ‘defined by their joy’.  Together with the Chairman of the Tall Ships Races 2012, Christer Samuelsson, the following eagerly awaited prizes were then awarded:

Best Arrival – Cuauhtemoc (Mexico)

Best Dressed Ship in Port – Guayas (Ecuador)

Vessel Furthest from Home – Cuauhtemoc (Mexico –  around 6,000 nautical miles)

Best Spirit of Participation in Sports Events – Rona II (UK)

The Most Participant Vessel in A Coruí±a Tall Ship’ Races  – Rona II (UK –  Rona Sailing Project)

Best Spirit of Participation in Sports Events – Rona II (UK)

Sail Race F1 Class Champion – Fryderyk Chopin (Poland)

Rowing Race Champion – Rona II (UK)

Swimming Champion (Male) – Christian Smidt, Danmark (Denmark)

Swimming Champion (Female) – Emma Benson-Smith, Rona II (UK)

Best Crew in Parade Class A – Fryderyk Chopin (Poland)

Best Crew in Parade Class B – Maybe (UK)

Best Crew in Parade Class C – Dar Szczecina (Poland)

Best Crew in Parade Class D – Lietuva (Lithuania)

Youngest Crew in the Cruise-in-Company – Dar Mlodziezy (Poland – 125 crew members under 26 years old)

Best Contribution in the Cruise in Company (joint award) – Marta Lobato – Aporvela (Portugal);  Fernando Gils – Juan de Langara Association (Spain) 

Crew Parade and Award Ceremony photos can be seen here.

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 sc