After three days of unforgettable maritime celebrations and intense preparation, focus turned to Race One and some challenging conditions for the fleet to face on their way to Hartlepool…
With thousands of visitors once again descending on the Dutch city, Den Helder once again provided a vibrant atmosphere, as the city came alive with music, dance, and cultural celebrations. The magic of The Tall Ships Races was on full show as spectators got one final chance to get up close with the majestic Tall Ships fleet before their departure to the North Sea.
Challenging Conditions Face the Crews for Race One
Before the fleet set sail for the start of Race One, it was time to look at the weather conditions for the coming days. With strong winds already arriving, and a number of obstacles through the North Sea course, it became clear success will be down to the tactical decisions made by the Captains and crews.
“For the very first race of the Tall Ships Races 2023, we are expecting very challenging conditions. We have got a pretty strong westerly wind that will continue throughout the race.
The whole race will be difficult in terms of the navigational challenges, with wind farms and [oil] platforms to pass.
Not only are there these navigational challenges ahead of the trainees and the captains of the vessels, but we’ve also got quite a big sea state that would favour the Class A vessels. They will manage the conditions much better than the smaller C and D yachts.”
Magda Makowska, Race Director
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.
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.
You can also download the YB Tracking app for your phone and tablet from the App Store and Google Play Store. You will find all the functionality of the web dashboards accessible on the go.
ABOUT THE TALL SHIPS RACES 2023
The Tall Ships Races 2023 will see the international fleet of Tall Ships and Small Ships return to Den Helder, Hartlepool, Fredrikstad, Lerwick and Arendal from 29 June to 6 August.
With four of the five Host Ports having already hosted the stunning Tall Ships fleet, we are excited to return to old friends and visit new frontiers for some exhilarating sailing, stunning cruises and celebrations across Northwest Europe.
As with every edition of The Tall Ships Races, the series will offer a range of sailing experiences for trainees and crews. The Race Committee will look at waypoint options to provide shorter and longer races for the fleet that will require a mixture of tactical skill and exhilarating speed to conquer.