It was supposed to be a celebration of the world’s remaining magnificent Class A Tall Ships – everyone thought they were close to retirement. But things didn’t quite go as everyone expected… in the best way possible.
70 Years later, The Tall Ships Races are still bringing international communities together. Celebrating adventure, friendship, and the spirit of sailing, The Tall Ships Races continue to unite young people from around the world, on deck, at sea, and in host ports along the way.
To read more about the history of The Tall Ships Racesclick here.
On Friday 24th July 2026, we premiered our official 70th anniversary film to over 200 special guests on board the beautiful Norwegian full-rigged ship Sørlandet.
The film celebrates seven decades of The Tall Ships Races, capturing the defining moments, remarkable people, and unforgettable memories that have shaped our events throughout the years.
Now, we’re delighted to share it with the rest of the world.
Enjoy! 📽️⛵
Guests gathered for the milestone event aboard the deck of Norwegian Tall Ship’ Sørlandet in Stavanger.
More than 200 guests from all over the world – trustees, directors and employees past and present, alongside captains, host ports and volunteers came together to celebrate 70 years of The Tall Ships Races.
The celebration was held aboard Sørlandet, the world’s oldest fully rigged ship still in active service. Moored alongside the quay, with the rest of The Tall Ships fleet providing a spectacular backdrop, she offered the perfect setting for the occasion.
The choice of venue was especially fitting. Sørlandet was one of the twenty ships that took part in the inaugural Tall Ships Race in July 1956, sailing from Torbay to Lisbon and helping to launch what would become a life-changing international event spanning seven decades.
Throughout The Tall Ships Races 2026 each host port will commemorate the races 70th anniversary in their own special way.
We are truly honoured to have such wonderful host port teams, who embrace our values and share the true essence of why we do what we do.
Here we would love to share with you how each port in The Tall Ships Races 2026 has celebrated this very special milestone:
AARHUS, DENMARK
The Aarhus Port team celebrated our 70th anniversary wholeheartedly throughout their four-day festival last week, showcasing memorable moments from the past seven decades of The Tall Ships Races for visitors to admire and reminisce.
Historic photographs from Tall Ships Races over the years were displayed throughout the event area, while an ever-growing exhibition at DOKK1, curated by the Aarhus Amateur Photography Club, brought the story of our event to life.
Throughout the week, volunteer photographers captured every aspect of The Tall Ships Races Aarhus 2026, adding new images each day alongside treasured photographs from the archives. The result was a wonderful celebration of our 70-year history, for all to enjoy.
A huge thank you to everyone involved in creating such a special tribute.
HARLINGEN, THE NETHERLANDS
The team beautifully captured our core values, placing international friendship and understanding at the heart of their 70th anniversary celebrations. They honoured this by presenting each of their fellow host ports of The Tall Ships Races 2026, with a special gift of appreciation and friendship, showcasing the local flavours and crafts of Harlingen.
This gift was thoughtfully curated by Harlingen Sail. It included a special and unique commemorative tile crafted from Harlingen pottery, a Friendship Menu created by the chef of one of Harlingen’s renowned restaurants, featuring a selection of regional products, and, finally, a Harlingen drink; which represents a symbolic toast to 70 years of Sail Training International.
A touching tribute to celebrate our shared history and the enduring partnerships, friendships, and mutual respect that have made this remarkable journey possible.
ANTWERP, BELGIUM
A hand-written memory wall was a very heartwarming way to celebrate 70 years of The Tall Ships Races. Placed at the crew party, guests were invited to write their favourite memories, experiences and congratulatory messages.
A big thank you to the host port team, for organising this wonderfully unique way of capturing personal reflections and connections to the event in a meaningful and lasting way.
STAVANGER, NORWAY
This host port provided the perfect stage and setting for our 70th anniversary drinks reception, which took place aboard the deck of Norwegian Tall Ship’ Sørlandet, the world’s oldest fully rigged ship still in active service and one of the twenty ships that took part in the inaugural Tall Ships Race in July 1956.
More than 200 guests from all over the world came together to celebrate 70 years of The Tall Ships Races. Friends reconnected, stories were shared, memories revisited, and together we celebrated the lasting impact the races have had in changing lives over the past seven decades.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this momentous occasion possible.
AALBORG, DENMARK
Crews and spectators were treated to a the biggest ever Danish fireworks display in Aalborg
Aalborg hosting Denmark's largest ever fireworks display at the Tall Ships Races 2019.
The grand finale of the celebrations and to mark the end of the 70th edition of The Tall Ships Races was a fantastic firework display in Aalborg. Known for their huge pyrotechnic displays, the sky was lit, as thousands gathered to watch and enjoy the show.
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.
Alfred’s Tall Ships Story: A First-Hand Account of the 1956 Race
It’s not every day that you get to interview a trainee who took part in the first ever Tall Ships Race in 1956, setting sail from Torbay to Lisbon….but that’s exactly what happened during the Aarhus stopover on this year’s 2026 Tall Ships Race Series.
We had the absolute pleasure of meeting 86-year-old Alfred, who delighted us with tales of what life was like onboard the Danish Tall Ship; Georg Stage, as a 16-year-old boy.
This meeting was a very special moment for us at Sail Training International. Not only did it have huge significance as we celebrate our 70th anniversary of The Tall Ships Races, but it gave us a first-hand lived perspective of our history. Alfred recalled key moments, friendships and shared his photo album with us, which was truly unforgettable.
We hope you enjoy this as much as we did!
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
From Volunteer to Crew: A Tall Ships Journey
‘My name is Eglė, I’m 25 years old, and I’m from Lithuania. My TSR journey began in 2024, when the Tall Ships Races were held in Klaipėda, Lithuania.
I saw an ad on Facebook that the event was looking for volunteers, and I decided to become one. From the very first meeting, I had already made up my mind to become a liaison officer.
During our last meeting, we were allowed to choose countries, but we weren’t told what kind of ships would be assigned to us. Afterwards, I received confirmation that I was assigned to two B-class ships – “T/S Rupel” from Belgium and “Betty” from Denmark.
When the event took place, I was constantly staying with the Rupel crew. The captain and another crew member kept jokingly asking if I’d be interested in joining them, but I wasn’t sure. I remember the captain’s words to this day: “There are no ‘I don’t knows’ or ‘maybes’ – it’s either yes or no.”
I guess they liked me enough that, during their last evening here, the captain invited me to their dinner, sat me down in front of everyone, and gave me an official invitation to join them in the race!
At first, I wasn’t sure if it would be possible to make it work with my job and finances at the time. But then I started making a small plan in my head and managed to find a solution that could work.
After the captain invited me in front of everyone, I proudly accepted the offer and told them that I was looking forward to next year.
I remember that while trainees were receiving safety instructions from crew members, I was pulled aside by the captain and given a few souvenirs with the ship’s logo. I’m not going to lie – these small items made me tear up a little.
On their last morning before leaving for the starting line, I asked if it would be possible to take a photo with everyone. They agreed, and we took a picture together.
Fast forward to January 2025 – I received confirmation that I would be joining them in TSR 2025, for the 4th race from Kristiansand, Norway, to Esbjerg, Denmark.
When I received the news, I was over the moon – crying with joy and jumping up and down.
When the time for the race came, I remember stepping off the train, looking ahead, and seeing all the tall masts of ships. I started crying – so many emotions hit me at once: joy, excitement, and nervousness.
As I got closer to where the ship was, I saw its outline and almost ran there. Once I got on board, I immediately greeted the captain and another crew member from the previous year. I couldn’t stop smiling because I was so happy about a couple of things:
– I reunited with the crew (I knew some of them from before).
– I was back on the ship.
– I was part of TSR.
The racing part was my favourite. My watch times were from 00:00-04:00 and 12:00-16:00, and the things I saw with my own eyes are still strongly burned into my memory to this day.
Fast forward to my last day on board – I was really sad that I had to leave. I guess the others could tell from my face. But my captain made a promise that we would see each other again in 2026. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to join again due to my age, since I turn 26 before the races start, but the captain told me not to worry – he would figure something out so I could come back.
And finally, fast forward to 2026: in February, I received an email confirming that I’m invited to join “T/S Rupel” for the TSR 2026 first race.
I couldn’t be more proud of my decision to become a volunteer at such an event. It opened so many doors and possibilities, gave me new friendships, and gave me something to look forward to.’
– Eglė
For 70 years, The Tall Ships Races have been offering bursaries to young people between the ages of 15-25, transforming their lives through adventure, teamwork, and personal development.
Now, you can help shape the next 70 years!
Support our £70 for 70 Years campaign and help more young people experience the life-changing opportunities that sail training provides.
Your donation, no matter the amount will help to gift a young person; often from an underprivileged background, the opportunity to realise their full potential, to grow in confidence and to discover hidden strengths. This experience will hopefully set them on a pathway to explore alternative career options, expand their horizons, and strengthen their applications for further education.
Please help us to invest in our young people and make a difference to their future pathways.
Here are a few comments about how The Tall Ships Races experience has transformed the lives of young people across our waters:
‘The most significant thing I learnt is the power of collaboration under challenging conditions. Being at sea taught me that even the smallest contributions matter when everyone is working toward the same goal’
‘It really showed me that good teamwork, support and kindness will always get you through any hard times’
‘The biggest impact came from the strong sense of community and teamwork on board. Sharing responsibilities, supporting each other, and celebrating successes together showed me the value of cooperation and created a lasting bond with the crew’
