A highlight for trainees in all Tall Ships Races is the Crew Parade – an opportunity to march, dance or stride through the streets of the host port representing your ship and usually accompanied by a cacophony of marching bands and formal and informal ship ‘bands’. Tallinn was no exception! Around a thousand trainees and crew made their way this afternoon in an array of costumes along a route through town to the main stage in Seaplane Harbour.
Having arrived at the main stage, the dancing and singing continued until the Prize Giving Ceremony began, hosted by Sail Training International and the City of Tallinn. Race Director Magda Makowska announced the winners of each category and the prizes were presented by the Vice Mayor of Tallinn, Kaarel Oja and Race Chairman Raul Mimbacas.
Prizes were awarded as follows:
Winner of the Dragonboat Tug of War
Dar Młodzieży (Poland)
Winner of the Street Basketball competition
Dar Młodzieży (Poland)
Winner of the Beach Volleyball competition
Iskra Orp (Poland)
Winner of the Dodgeball competition
Brabander (Lithuania)
UNESCO City of Music award
Guayas (Ecuador)
Social Media award
Benas Skiecius from Brander (Lithuania)
Most Welcoming Ship
Roald Amundsen (Germany)
Youngest Crew (average age on Cruise in Company)
Zryw (Poland)
Most International Crew (on Cruise in Company)
Johann Smidt (Germany)
Best Crew Parade runner up
Valborg (Finland)
Outstanding Contribution to the Cruise in Company
Valborg (Finland) – with special mention to Oscari Gran (Bosun)
The party didn’t end there though. Next stop was the official Crew Party, which took place at the Museum of Inventions in Tallinn. Will the dancing ever stop??
About The Tall Ships Races 2024
The Tall Ships Races 2024 began on Thursday 27 June and continues through until Monday 5 August, with three exhilarating races and two scenic Cruise-in-Company legs. With Host Ports from five countries – Lithuania, Finland, Estonia, the Åland Islands and Poland – The Tall Ships Races 2024 will take in all the Baltic region has to offer.
The event takes the majestic Tall Ships fleet back to the Baltic Sea for the first time since 2017. During our last visit, over four million visitors came to see the Tall Ships, and we’re sure that 2024 will be just as spectacular.
