It’s been three years since we started a Tall Ships race, but, at 1600 GMT today, in the Danish waters off Esbjerg, 27 ships and their crews got underway in the first leg of The Tall Ships Races 2022.
The race had begun at last. Having enjoyed four wonderful days in Esbjerg, the ships were back at sea, doing what they do best with their newly arrived trainees, some of whom may never have sailed before, literally learning the ropes.
As you will have read in yesterday’s report, a virtual start was in place due to strong winds in the region. This three-mile-wide start gate was monitored by the Race Committee via the YB satellite trackers and AIS systems on each vessel.
Race Director, Paul Bishop, commented:
“Fryderyk Chopin (Poland) was the first Class A ship to cross the start gate minutes after it opened at 16:00 UTC today a blustery north-westerly breeze, with Thalassa (The Netherlands), Shabab Oman II (Oman) and Dar Mlodziezy (Poland) moments behind. Urania (The Netherlands), Christiania (Norway) and Rupel (Belgium) headed the Class B, C & D feet as they followed once their start gate opened at 16:45 UTC.
“All vessels are making a fast passage down to WP1 with top speeds in excess of 9 knots (17kms per hour) in the strong favourable winds. They are due to round WP1 later tonight. The young crews, many of whom will have joined in Esbjerg, will have mixed emotions between apprehension and excitement as they start to gain their “sea legs” in the boisterous conditions and acclimatise to their new environment and fellow crew.
“The 100 mile nautical leg between WP1 and WP2 is set to be particularly challenging for the captains and navigators as they try to predict the forecasted wind shifts over the next 48 hours to optimize their tactics. There will undoubtedly be winners and losers in these changeable conditions in the next 24 hours. The scene is set for an epic Tall Ships Race leg.”
positions on corrected time (Handicap) AT TIME OF REPORTING
Class A
Fryderyk Chopin (Poland)
Oosterschelde (The Netherlands)
Shabab Oman II (Oman)
Class B
Christiana (Norway)
Rupel (Belgium)
Swan (UK)
Class C/D
Esprit (Germany)
Helena (Finland)
Belfer (Slovenia)
FOLLOW THE FLEET LIVE WITH YB TRACKING
Once again, you will be able to follow the Tall Ships fleet as they make their way along the race routes thanks to the YB satellite tracking system. You can keep up to date with who is leading each race leg and ensure you miss none of the sailing action.
Each participating ship in the Races is fitted with a YB satellite transponder, a self-contained battery operated tracker which allows tracking of a vessel’s position from anywhere on earth. All vessels taking part in the Races are equipped with one so spectators can follow the fleet – anytime, anywhere – as they sail from Esbjerg (Denmark), to Harlingen (Netherlands), to Antwerp (Belgium), finishing in Aalborg (Denmark).
You can see a wide range of race information including; route mapping, real time vessel positions and their historic tracking, vessel details, replay of vessel tracks over time, leaderboards per division/group and current weather conditions.
THE TALL SHIPS RACES 2022
The Tall Ships Races 2022 will see the international fleet of Tall Ships and Small Ships return to the North Sea. From 7 July-7 August, we will visit Esbjerg, Harlingen, Antwerp and Aalborg.
The event will mark a welcome return to all four Host Ports who have hosted a total of 16 Tall Ships Races and Regattas so far. The series will see the Tall Ships sailing from Esbjerg, Denmark, south through the North Sea to Harlingen, Netherlands, as part of an exhilarating Race One.
Following this they will enjoy a stunning Cruise-in-Company leg further south to Antwerp, Belgium, enjoying spectacular coastal sailing. Race Two will take the fleet from Antwerp, Belgium, back north through the North Sea to Aalborg, Denmark, for the final celebrations.
Esbjerg, Denmark 7 July – 10 July
RACE 1
Harlingen, Netherlands 14 July – 17 July
CRUISE-IN-COMPANY
Antwerp, Belgium 22 July – 25 July
RACE 2
Aalborg, Denmark 4 August – 7 August