Host ports for the North Sea Tall Ships Regatta 2016 announced

Sail Training International is delighted to announce the two ports selected to host the second North Sea Tall Ships Regatta – Blyth, UK  and Gothenburg, Sweden. 

For Blyth in Northumberland, UK this is the first major Tall Ships event they have  hosted and the town is eager to welcome the international fleet of Tall Ships.  

Gothenburg in Sweden will be hosting this major Tall Ships event for the fifth time – following their success in hosting The Tall Ships Races in 1968, 1978 1986 and 1997.

The first North Sea Regatta was held in 2010, racing from Hartlepool, UK to Ijmuiden, Netherlands. Thirty-one vessels of all classes from around the world took part in this launch event – including the magnificent Class A vessels Shabab Oman (Oman), Stad Amsterdam (Netherlands) and Santa Maria Manuela (Portugal).

The North Sea Tall Ships Regatta 2016

Blyth, UK     Friday 26 – Monday 29 August 2016

Race (approximately 500 nautical miles)

Gothenburg, Sweden  Saturday 3 – Tuesday 6 September 2016

Paul Bishop, Head of Race Directorate, Sail Training International said, äóì2016 is a special year for Tall Ships events.  The Tall Ships Races 2016 will be celebrating a diamond anniversary as it will be sixty years since the first Tall Ships race in 1956.  And the North Sea Tall Ships Regatta will be held for only the second time in six years – so we are particularly pleased to be visiting two excellent, but contrasting ports.

äóìBlyth is a tidal deep water port which can accommodate the largest Class A ships and offers first class amenities to the fleet   

äóìThe town and port of Blyth is set up to deliver a tremendous welcome and provide great hospitality.  Blyth’ association with the sea goes back centuries and it is fitting to welcome these ships of bygone times.  The event will be a great opportunity for individuals of all ages, and organisations, to be involved and take part in a world class event.  

äóìGothenburg already has an excellent reputation for delivering Tall Ship events.  They have traditionally supported the development and education of young people and have a track record of looking after our sail training Tall Ships.

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äóìBoth ports also have an excellent environmental profile and the Regatta will be very much in synergy with the sustainability messages we aim to deliver through our events.äó

About Blyth UK

Blyth is on the north east coast of the UK, in the county of Northumberland. The Port of Blyth has been an integral part of the town of Blyth and wider region for centuries. The shipment of coal began during the 14th century and the early 20th century saw further expansion into shipbuilding and coal exports, with Blyth becoming the largest coal exporting port in Europe in the early 1960s.  

In recent years Blyth has established itself as a modern, diverse port handling everything from wind turbines and forest products, to hosting a resident fishing fleet and being home to the Royal Northumberland Yacht Club.   

It has a reputation for being a leading renewable energy related port hosting the Blyth Renewables Festival and works closely with environmental bodies to ensure environmental best practice is maintained.   The Port’ carbon footprint has already been acknowledged as being significantly better then accepted good practice.

Martin Lawlor, Chief Executive, Port of Blyth, said: äóìWe are delighted that the Regatta is coming to Blyth and look forward to welcoming the ships and their crews. Visitors will als