Special visitor to the SCF Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta

The Port of Varna was delighted to welcome a very special visitor today (Friday 2 May) – President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Rosen Plevneliev. 

Having met members of the organising committee, liaison officers and the Sail Training International race team, the President went on to meet captains and trainees from each of the nine flag nations represented in the SCF Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta fleet.

The fleet captains had earlier attended a briefing in preparation for tomorrow’s race start. The fleet will start to undock at 11.30am, with local ship Kaliakra (Bulgaria) first to move off the quay. By 12.30pm all ships should have left the harbour and will be making their way to the start of the Parade of Sail route which will be along Varna Bay, offering fantastic viewing opportunities from the shoreline. The Parade of Sail is the traditional way of the fleet saying thank you for the city’s hospitality during the Regatta. During the parade President Plevneliev will be on board a naval ship in the bay, which will be saluted by each vessel as they pass. At the end of the parade the ships will make their way to the race start, five miles offshore.

The Regatta in Varna is now in its final stages and has been deemed a huge success, with over 50,000 visitors estimated to have visited the port yesterday. This evening there will be a firework display and laser light show to round off the celebrations.

Twenty-nine sail training vessels entered the SCF Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta, with 17 having arrived in Varna to take part, including one Ukranian and seven Russian ships. Most of them will race from Varna (Bulgaria) to Novorossiysk (Russia) before cruising to Sochi (Russia), from where they will race the final leg to Constanta (Romania). 

Photo:    President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Rosen Plevneliev meeting Captain Mustafa Cengil (Bodrum, Turkey)

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About Sail Training International (STI)

STI is the international voice of Sail Training, a registered charity (not-for-profit organisation), which has worldwide membership and activities. Its purpose is the development and education of young people through the Sail Training experience, regardless of nationality, culture, religion, gender or social background. It organises the annual Tall Ships Races and other international Tall Ship sailing events. STI members are 29 national Sail Training organisations around the world and STI’ head office is in Gosport, Hampshire, UK.

The organisation was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 2007 for its work in promoting international understanding and friendship.   www.sailtraininginternational.org

What is sail training?

Sail Training is an adventure activity, which includes far more than sailing instruction. Participants are required to confront demanding challenges, both physical and emotional. It is an activity that inspires self-confidence and personal responsibility. It promotes an acceptance of others, whatever their social or cultural backgrounds, and develops a willingness to take controlled risks. Those who undertake Sail Training on Tall Ships generally find it a positive life-changing experience.

For more information about the event visit Sail Training International 

Sovcomflot (SCF)

SCF is the lead sponsor of The SCF Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta, 30 April – 27 May 2014, and was previously sponsor of The Tall Ships Races 2009.  Sovcomflot Group is Russia’s largest shipping company and one of the world’s leading energy transporters. 

Its mission is to be the leading internati