Race Two, Report Seven: Akela arrives in port

The first vessel to cross the line arrived into the port of Constanta in the early hours of this morning (Thurs 22 May).  Akela (Russia), who is now berthed alongside in the port, was the winner of Race One (Varna to Novorrosysk).

The fleet have mostly all found a favourable wind and the positions have remained consistent in the last few reports, and are as follows:

Class A – on corrected time

1st Royal Helena (Bulgaria) 

2nd Nadezhda (Russia)

3rd Mir (Russia)

Class B – on corrected time

1st Johanna Lucretia (UK) 

2nd Bodrum (Turkey) 

3rd Adornate (Romania) 

Class C – on corrected time

1st Akela (Russia) 

2nd  Sea Adventure (Bulgaria) 

All but Kaliakra (Bulgaria), Sedov (Russia) and Mircea (Romania) have passed the waypoint.  

For those vessels who have passed Waypoint 1, the winds are NE 15-18 knots, which reduces somewhat during the day to around 9 knots SE.  Closer to the finish the wind remains NE 13 knots.

For those yet to pass the waypoint, there is a SE wind lifting them towards the waypoint, which veers easterly but remains steady 10-15 knots throughout the day.  By the time of the new race time limit announced yesterday, the wind at Waypoint 1 will have reduced to NE 5 knots.

Yesterday (Weds 21 May) the race committee decided that, in order for all the fleet to be in port by mid-day local time on Saturday 24 May, the race time limit will be brought forward by 24 hrs.  The new race time limit will be 0200 hrs local Friday 23 May for Class A and 0230 hrs for Class B and C.  

You can follow the fleet on the Yellow Brick system by clicking on this link.  

29 sail training vessels entered the SCF Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta, with 17 having raced from Varna (Bulgaria) to Novorossiysk (Russia), including one Ukranian and seven Russian ships. 12 are now racing from Sochi (Russia) to Constanta (Romania). 

ends

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.