The start of Race One of the Liberty Tall Ships Regatta 2019 got off to a challenging start as light winds affected progress throughout the fleet…
The change of forecasted winds off the coast of Le Havre led to changes to the race start and timeframes for the first race of the Regatta. The fleet had been expecting south easterly winds of around 10 knots, but instead were presented with much less wind once in place for the race start.
“The Liberty Tall Ships Regatta Race One got off to a challenging start with the forecasted winds not materialising at midday. Eventually the wind filled in, but from the north east, which made for very slow progress for the international fleet of Tall Ships which saw them tack towards the finish line.
“The Race Committee decided to bring the time limit forward to 12:00 UTC today (Wednesday 19 June), to ensure that the fleet would arrive In Scheveningen/The Hague for Thursday morning (20 June).”
Liberty Tall Ships Regatta 2019 Race Director, Paul Bishop
Race Chairman, Robin Snouck Hurgronje, also reflected on the challenges that had been facing the fleet in the race.
“It has been disappointing that Race One has been called short due to the very light and adverse wind, but these conditions have meant that the crews have had to work hard for every single mile towards the finish line.”
Liberty Tall Ships Regatta 2019 Race Chairman, Robin Snouck Hurgronje
LATEST POSITION – ON CORRECTED TIME (HANDICAP)
- Oosterschelde (Netherlands)
- Mir (Russia)
- Tenacious (UK)
- Europa (Netherlands)
- Wylde Swan (Netherlands)
- Cuauhtemoc (Mexico)
- Shabab Oman II (Oman)
- J. R. Tolkien (Netherlands)
- Mircea (Romania)
- Cisne Branco (Brazil)
Race Start Highlights
We captured highlights from the start of Race One as the Tall Ships fleet were bathed in beautiful sunlight off the coast of Le Havre, France, for the start of the race to The Hague.
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!
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.