For more than 70 years, The Tall Ships Races have shaped countless life stories, transforming ordinary journeys into extraordinary adventures. From young people overcoming fears and a confidence they never knew they had, to unexpected friendships that cross cultures and oceans, to the tales of participants who even found their soulmate on deck, the experience leaves an imprint that lasts a lifetime.
*Disclaimer* The stories and photographs shared below are personal contributions provided exclusively for use on our platforms. They are not permitted for copy, publication, or use by journalists and media outlets without written consent.
A Story Written by the Sea
Meet Arancha and Alexis – whose story began during The Tall Ships Races 2023.
‘We always say that our story feels like it came straight out of a movie, and I would love to be able to share it with you.
My partner took part in The Tall Ships Races 2023 and arrived in Cádiz (my city) aboard the training ship Cuauhtémoc as a cadet of the Mexican Navy. I visited the ship, but I didn’t see it… However, he did see me.
That same day, when the ships had just arrived, I sat in front of the Port of Cádiz, enjoying the atmosphere. Suddenly, he walked past me in his white uniform and greeted me. Very shyly, he came over to talk to me… and during those four days, we felt as if we had known each other our whole lives.
When he left Cádiz, we were both very sad. Afterwards, his journey continued to the Canary Islands and, from there, back to America. So I decided to surprise him and travel to visit him in the Canary Islands. It was, without a doubt, the best decision of my life.
After that, I spent Christmas in Mexico with him and, a year later, I returned to attend his graduation as an officer. A year and a half later, he proposed, and two and a half years after that first meeting, we were married. For two years, I travelled constantly between Spain and Mexico, but at last, we no longer have an ocean between us, and now we live together.
The best thing that ever happened to us was meeting during The Tall Ships Races 2023, because that is where everything began. And now, with great excitement, we are organising everything because we want to take part together in The Tall Ships Races 2027. We are eagerly waiting for the participating ships to be announced so that we can be part of this adventure, this time as a married couple.
– Arancha and Alexis
FUNNELATOR SCORE CARD
‘Back in the 1990s I was a Bosun’s Mate on the tall ship Lord Nelson (Bosun’s Mate = glorified deckhand). Lord Nelson was the one specially designed and built to take mixed abilities – people in wheelchairs, couldn’t see, etc. She didn’t race as we couldn’t guarantee to get half the crew under 24 – that and the Trustees thought we would not be inclusive if we were rushing for the start line. Which didn’t stop us turning up at race ports and even crossing the start line and taking part. So, we were determined to make our mark and join in the fun.
This is 1991 and we had rigged the vessel with funnelators. A funnelator is a small plastic funnel attached to two lengths of stretchy bungee cord and used to fire water balloons. You pull the funnel back as far as possible – without falling off the deckhouse roof – load a balloon full of water – judge distance and angle of any passing tall ship and let go.
To say we got carried away is an understatement, but we got very accurate when it was rigged between the main and mizzen masts. So, by the time, we got to Aberdeen race port in 1991 we had this score sheet, showing we had increased international friendship and understanding by drenching anything and anyone who came within range. We were particularly proud of getting the Press Officer – a difficult shot down the quayside which avoided babies in prams and other civilians.
This is our score card, of which we were rightly proud.’
– Max Mudie
