Vladivostok was treated to a stunning Parade of Sail on Tuesday as the Class A vessels taking part in the SCF Far East Tall Ships Regatta showed off their magnificence under full sail in Amursky Bay.
The ships representing Russia, South Korea, Indonesia and Japan paraded under blue skies and glorious sunshine during the Tall Ships fleet’s first visit to Russia’s Far East. After passing between the mainland and Russky Island, the vessels passed Vladivostok’s iconic lighthouse where crowds gathered to see the fleet.
Vladivostok, located more than 9,000km east of Moscow, is abuzz with excitement this week as the fleet’s visit coincides with the city hosting the 4th Eastern Economic Forum. Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Vladivostok on Monday ahead of the start of the three-day Forum, which attracts a numerous leaders from the region.
Amursky Bay was packed with sails and vessels of all sizes as the SCF Far East Tall Ships Regatta fleet was joined by around 50 local yachts taking part in a regatta organised by the Seven Feet Yacht Club.
Also out on the water were around 50 young people aged between 8-17 who are competing in the Youth Dinghy Sailing Regatta. At the Opening Ceremony for the two-day regatta on Monday Sail Training International Race Chairman Einar Corwin said:
“You are important to us, you are the future of sailing and maybe one day you will be sailing on one of the Tall Ships representing your country.”
Sail Training International Race Chairman Einar Corwin
The people of Vladivostok have flocked to the Marine Village to catch their first glimpse of the Tall Ships and many of the vessels remain open to the public for people to experience first-hand what life is like on board the vessels taking part in the first SCF Far East Tall Ships Regatta.
On Monday the international crews enjoyed a range of activities including a tournament held at the Maritime University Stadium and a cultural programme including a demonstration of the traditional Russian sport similar to baseball called lapta and some breathtaking dancing and acrobatics from one of the Far East Region’s leading young dance troupes.
The busy programme continues tomorrow with a Crew Parade and Prize Giving Ceremony followed by a Captains’ Dinner and Crew Party where the international crews will get together to celebrate their achievements and forge cross-cultural friendships.
ABOUT THE SCF FAR EAST TALL SHIPS REGATTA
The two-port Regatta takes place between Yeosu, South Korea (27 August – 1 September), and Vladivostok, Russia (9-14 September). Primarily state owned vessels are taking part, including ships from Indonesia, Japan, Korea and Russia.
The 4th Eastern Economic Forum is being held in Vladivostok at the same time as the SCF Far East Tall Ships Regatta 2018 (11-13 September), where world leaders are expected to be in attendance.
ABOUT OUR SPONSOR: SOVCOMFLOT
Sovcomflot (SCF) is Russia’s largest shipping company and one of the global leaders in the maritime transportation of hydrocarbons, as well as the servicing oil and gas projects on the continental shelf, including offshore seismic exploration. The world’s leading operator and largest owner of ice-class vessels designed to operate in difficult navigational conditions: 79 ice-class vessels rated from ICE 1C to ARC7 and Icebreaker ICE-15. The Company’s fleet (owned and chartered) specialises in hydrocarbon transportation from regions with challenging icy conditions and includes 147 vessels with a combined deadweight of 12,732,069 tonnes.
The Group has offices in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novorossiysk, Murmansk, Vladivostok, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Limassol, London and Dubai. Over 7,800 employees at sea and ashore. The Group is one of the largest employers in Russia’s coastal towns of the North-West, Southern and Far Eastern regions.
