Rough Seas and Fast Finish Predicted

Near gale wind conditions and an exciting fast finish were the early predictions given today (Sunday 10 August) for the final leg of the Tall Ships Races 2012.

Forty three vessels will begin racing to the finish line just outside of Dublin tomorrow (Monday 11 August) and the Spanish Meteorological Agency has predicted Beaufort Wind Scale 7.  

Vessels will be facing near gale conditions, on rough to very rough seas, with over five metre high waves.   Such conditions will see many vessels making an early arrival into Dublin, possibly several days ahead of the four-day festival, 23 – 26 August.

Captains of all participating vessels were briefed about the large low pressure system from South West Iceland to North West Ireland.  And with only one day left at A Coruí±a preparations are now being made for the stormy 520 nautical miles of the final race leg.

Undocking will start at 9am tomorrow, with a Parade of Sail planned to begin at 13:00.   The race starts at 19:00 (local time).

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