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Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta: A Blizzard of Excitement in Québec City

Posted on: 29.03.17
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The incredible Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta starts in less than 15 days in Royal Greenwich, UK. Can you believe it? Don’t worry, it’s not too late to get involved – there are vessels taking part in each race leg with spaces available on board.

By booking a place, you’re taking the first step toward an unforgettable, once in a lifetime opportunity. You could visit seven different countries, cover more than 7,000 nautical miles, and sail across the Atlantic Ocean twice… or take on a smaller portion of this epic adventure. No experience necessary!

In previous blogs, we’ve looked at Race 1, between Royal Greenwich, UK, and Sines, Portugal. We’ve explored Race 2, from Sines to Bermuda. We’ve covered Race 3, between Bermuda and Boston, USA. And we’ve focused on Race 5, from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Le Havre, France. Next week, we’ll feature Race 4, between Boston and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence River ports, including the Guest Ports Programme.

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at beautiful and historic Québec City.

About Québec City

Québec City is one of the oldest European settlements in North America, and it retains flavours of both continents. With a passionate French Canadian identity, Québec City boasts a picturesque Old Town with 17th- and 18th-century architecture, which is overlooked by the grand Château Frontenac hotel. The city is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation are in full swing this year.

When you visit Québec City, get ready for cobblestoned streets, museums, restaurants, shops, and buzzing nightlife. This summer, you’ll enjoy energetic street entertainment in the form of musicians, acrobats and colourful street performers, alongside spectacular fireworks displays.

Quebec City

Québec City.

Welcome to Québec City

Québec City has a central role to play in the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta, as the focus of the Canada 150 celebrations. It’s also where the Transatlantic fleet, the Great Lakes Flotilla, a number of military Tall Ships, and the local sail training fleet will come to together for an incredible Tall Ships festival in Canadian waters. Celebrations in Québec City will run from Tuesday 18 July to Sunday 23 July 2017, providing a huge variety of events and entertainment for the crews and visitors alike.

Race Director Paul Bishop and Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta Project Director Pauline Appleby have just returned from an excellent series of meetings in Québec City, with the team who will be responsible for the festivities this summer.

“Winters in Québec can be harsh, and during our visit the mighty Saint Lawrence River was frozen in parts, making it look even more spectacular in the winter sunshine. Our tour of the port area took in the venues for the crew centre, crew party, media centre, and other key areas. Located close to the ships, they will serve our fleet very well. It was good to spend time with the local team and we came away confident that the event is going to be a great success. As Royal Greenwich prepares for the start of the event in just a few days’ time, it is still some four months until the fleet arrives in Québec City. By then, the winter snow and ice will have melted and we expect to be celebrating in style under the summer sun!”
Pauline Appleby, Project Director.

The frozen Saint Lawrence River

The frozen Saint Lawrence River.

“Nearly 40 Tall Ships will be sailing Canadian waters to honour the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation in 2017. They are scheduled to stop at host ports in Ontario, Québec and the Maritimes, giving thousands of people the opportunity to admire the majestic beauty of these cathedrals of the seas.

“The capital of Québec will be the only city to host all the ships at one time. This gives our citizens and visitors an exciting opportunity to take part in this great gathering of ships, and to celebrate the magnificent Saint Lawrence River, privileged witness to the birth of our city, of our country and of French North America. During the week of activities, the Port of Québec wharves will be the place to go for all the colourful festivities and fascinating discoveries.”
Linda Fick, Project Manager of the Québec organising team from 3E.

Saint Lawrence River from the air

Saint Lawrence River from the air.

Book Your Place On Board

There will be 38 vessels in Québec City, and 16 have trainee places available. These are:

These beautiful ships are booking up, so don’t miss out. We’ve featured Alexander von Humboldt II (Germany) here, Picton Castle (Cook Islands) and Gulden Leeuw (The Netherlands) here, Atyla (Vanuatu) and Blue Clipper (UK) here, and Wylde Swan (The Netherlands) here. So, let’s take a look at another three vessels that will visit Québec City in July:

S/Y Vahine (Finland)

Vahine (Finland) was launched in 1973 and is the first Swan 65 ever built. Designed by Sparkman & Stephens, she belongs to the world-famous Nautor’s Swan series. With a total length of 19.68m and a maximum sail area of 385m² (genoa, main, spanker, and spinnaker), Vahine is sailed by two crew members and can accommodate 10 sailors. As a Bermuda-rigged Ketch sporting the classic Swan interior, she has five cabins, three toilets and a shower.

For the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta, Vahine is taking bookings for people aged 18 years and above. No previous sailing experience required – book your place on board and try “learning by sailing!”

Interesting facts about Vahine:

  • Despite being the first of her kind, her hull number is 002 – her first owner thought that 001 meant bad luck and exchanged it with the second Swan 65, S/Y Peak!
  • Sails about 42,000 nautical miles a year, spending the wintertime – and some summers – mainly in the Caribbean and the Atlantic, before returning to her Finnish home waters.
  • Both a safe and competitive yacht. Due to her heavy build, she achieves highest speeds in stronger winds, making more than 10 knots.
  • Vahine means “woman” in Tahitian, Māori and Hawai’ian languages.
  • The Swan 65 is the only serially produced sailing yacht to win the Whitbread Round the World Race, now called the Volvo Ocean Race (in 1973-74).

What her crew says…

“Sailing on Vahine is one of my best memories – to have a team of mostly strangers turn into a crew together and share the everyday life on board. Changing sails, telling stories on the night watch, and learning the art of sailing from different starting points. By the end of the trip, you will have made tons of new friends, and gotten hooked on the feeling of steering the beautiful ship through the waves, and life at sea in general!”

Katri Saarenheimo, Helsinki, who has taken part in three Tall Ships Races with STAF.

“Sailing Vahine is always a great experience – she is old but fast and takes you safely anywhere. I have sailed on her for many years both as crew and skipper and I have always enjoyed the voyages. Now I am very much looking forward to taking part in RDV2017 with Vahine and to experience the famous yachting areas around Boston and Nova Scotia. Attending the social events and meeting old friends and acquaintances during RDV are big additional attractions.”

Eric von Troil, Skipper on S/Y Vahine.

Video by Markku Saukkonen on Vahine, Horta-Dublin 2016.

Europa (The Netherlands)

Europa (The Netherlands) was built in 1911 and has taken part in races since 1994. Europa visits Antarctica from December to March every year, and takes part in the Tall Ships Races and Regattas during the summer. She can take up to 48 trainees in bunks and cabins. There are showers on board and special diets are welcome.

Interesting facts about Europa:

  • Has a full set of studding sails, pronounced “stuns’l,” which you won’t find on every Tall Ship. These are extra sails on a square-rigged ship.
  • Awarded the Blue Flag.
  • Originally called Senator Brockes.
  • Built to serve as a light ship on the River Elbe.
  • Named after Europa from Greek mythology – a beautiful, mortal woman, and one of Zeus’s many love interests.
  • Winner of several Tall Ships Races and Regattas awards and prizes (including Most International Crew, several times).

What her crew says…

“If you want to have the experience of sailing a Tall Ship: join the Europa! I sailed with her in Australia to the last resting place of the Batavia at the Abrolhos Islands. It was one of the most magnificent voyages I ever did. Great ship, great crew and great food/hospitality! A once in a lifetime experience, so take your chance….”

Ans, trainee.

“The adventure of a lifetime! My voyage on Europa was more than I could ever wish for. The experiences of this adventure will stay with me forever. The crew is absolutely amazing: hard working, always smiling, and the galley crew are legendary! My fellow voyage crew members are now friends for life! If you ever get the opportunity to go on this adventure, do not hesitate for a single second. Just go! Thank you, permanent crew, voyage crew and office staff!”

Elisabeth, trainee.

  • Price: From €920 for Québec City to Corner Brook (8 nights).

St Lawrence II (Canada)

St Lawrence II (Canada) was designed in 1952, especially for sail training. She was originally attached to the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Corps St Lawrence, but now welcomes anybody aged 13-18 years old. Trainees can expect to sleep in bunks, and special diets are no problem.

Interesting facts about St Lawrence II:

  • Forms part of the longest-running youth sail training organisation in the world.
  • Awarded the Blue Flag.
  • When the weather is right, you can watch a movie projected on the sails.
  • St Lawrence II was the inspiration for sister ships Pathfinder (Canada) and Playfair (Canada).

What her crew says…

“Experience the freedom of Tall Ships sailing by signing up to sail on board the Tall Ship St Lawrence II. Sailing with us is an adventure that is as fun and challenging as it is rewarding and exciting. Create lasting memories and forge new friendships, while experiencing a unique way to connect with the natural world from the deck of our purpose-designed and -built Tall Ship. Our youth crew and professional deck hands, led by the Captain and Mate, will show you everything you need to know.”

What Next?

Want to get involved with the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta and experience the adventure of a lifetime? Check out our event page for more information. You can book your place directly with a participating vessel, or if you’d like help simply email our friendly team on enquiries@sailonboard.com who can make recommendations, answer questions, and process your booking for you.

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