As the festivities and celebrations closed in Scheveningen/The Hague, attention again turned to the oceans and preparations for the Parade of Sail and the start of the North Sea Feeder Race…
Following incredible action for the Tall Ships fleet and the hundreds of thousands of spectators in port, on Saturday 22 June plans began for the grand Parade of Sail out of Scheveningen/The Hague. As is customary at all Tall Ships Races & Regattas, details of the planned parade were discussed in detail at the Captains’ Briefing including the all important weather forecast for the upcoming North Sea Feeder Race.
The Parade of Sail, which took place between 16:00-18:00, saw the magnificent Tall Ships fleet thank the Host Port of Scheveningen/The Hague for their warm hospitality over the four days of the event. Following the parade, the Liberty Tall Ships Regatta 2019 Race Chairman, Paul Bishop, reflected on yet another fantastic regatta port visit.
“The Liberty Tall Ships Regatta 2019 stop over in Scheveningen and The Hague has been terrific, with the crews from all over the world participating in the exciting programme. The Captains briefing saw us receive some excellent feedback from the fleet before they departed in spectacular style in the parade of sail, with Bark Europa (Netherlands) stealing the show under full sail out of her home port.”
Sail Training International Race Director, Paul Bishop
On to the North Sea Feeder Race
With the Host Port of Scheveningen/The Hague disappearing on the horizon, the Tall Ships fleet made their way overnight to the race start line off the northern coast of the Netherlands. Due to favourable winds around the race start area, the start itself was brought forward from 25 June to today (24 June).
“The race start was brought it forward 24 hours to take advantage of the existing weather conditions with an extended start gate to allow vessels to make the start line according to their departure program.”
The Tall Ships Races 2019 Race Director, Ben Stuart
For the North Sea Feeder Race, the fleet will embark on an exhilarating race taking them across the North Sea into Danish Waters. The four day race will give trainees the opportunity to hone their skills and compete in a once in a lifetime adventure. After the race there will be the opportunity to discover and explore some of the ports in the Northern regions of Denmark around the Skagen Odde peninsula before arriving in Aalborg for the start of the Tall Ships Races 2019.
As the fleet made their way to the start area, the Liberty Tall Ships Regatta Race Director Paul Bishop gave his thoughts on the race ahead and how weather conditions may affect the fleet.
“The fleet are closing in on the start line, with the start gate opening at 10:00 UTC. We are looking forward to an exhilarating south easterly wind which will give the fleet a fast sail in the first stage of the Race.
“With light and variable winds forecast to set in, progress is expected to slow down later tonight. This will produce some tactically challenging racing for the Captains and their crews.”
Sail Training International Race Director, Paul Bishop
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 route 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!
Looking Forward to the Tall Ships Races 2019
Following the end of the North Sea Feeder Race, the Tall Ships will join up with the start of the Tall Ships Races 2019 in Aalborg, Denmark. This year, Europe’s largest, free, family festival will visit north-west Europe during the summer, with a fleet of over 70 international Tall and Small Ships. The three-leg event will see vessels sailing from Aalborg, Denmark to Fredrikstad, Norway. Following this will be a stunning cruise-in-company along the coast of Norway to Bergen and a nail-biting race back to Aarhus, Denmark.
The event is open to young people aged 15-25, giving them the opportunity to get involved in a competitive event whilst also gaining skills in sailing, communication and building confidence. You can check out our dedicated event and Host Port pages to find out how you can take part!
ABOUT THE LIBERTY TALL SHIPS REGATTA 2019
The Liberty Tall Ships Regatta 2019 will see the international fleet of Tall Ships race from Rouen, France, to Scheveningen/The Hague, The Netherlands. We’re delighted to have now added a feeder race that will enable the ships to go onto the start of the Tall Ships Races 2019 in Aalborg.
Coinciding with the 75th Anniversary of D-Day and the liberation of occupied territory in Northwestern Europe, the Liberty Tall Ships Regatta 2019 will echo the theme of international friendship and understanding that is central to each and every Sail Training International Tall Ships event. After racing through the English Channel the fleet will embark on a Cruise-in-Company to Scheveningen/The Hague where there will be an invigorating port programme between 20-23 June.