After their first night at sea, trainees will be finding their sea legs, bonding with their fellow watch members and enjoying the exhilarating sailing as they head towards Waypoint 2.
As well as being tracked on YB and AIS, ships report their positions in twice daily communication schedules via Sail Training International’s Communications Officers who sail with the fleet. Following this morning’s communications schedule, the Race Director has sent this report:
“The crews have had a lively night on board their vessels last night in the strong north-westerly wind flow and choppy seas that have built up over the past few days. Esprit (Germany) (division B/C/D) leads “on the water” by a narrow margin with 89 nautical miles to go to the finish. Helena (Finland) (division B/C/D) is just 3 miles behind.
Fryderyk Chopin (Poland) leads Class A with 96.1 miles to go with Shabab Oman II (Oman) closely behind at 96.3 miles. Dar Mlodziezy (Poland) is in third place in Class A and is well positioned to take advantage of the forecasted wind shift to the south-west today for WP2. It will continue to be a close fought battle all the way to the finish line.
The oldest vessel in the fleet, Christiania (Norway) which was built in 1895 is in first place overall on corrected time (with handicap). This Colin Archer type gaff ketch has been owned by the same family for over 20 years. She has a rich maritime heritage and was designed as a lifeboat 127 years ago to accompany the Norwegian fishing fleet off their treacherous coast in all weathers. Her design was revolutionary in its day and is consequently seaworthy, fast and close-winded which is why she has been excelling in these conditions.
The wind is forecast to go light and variable today before filling in from the south-west which will slow the fleet down and provide exciting tactical opportunities for the WP2 rounding”. Paul Bishop, Race Director
Latest YB positions at time of publishing this blog (on corrected time)
Class A
Fryderyk Chopin (Poland)
Shabab Oman II (Oman) – pictured at the race start
Morgenster (The Netherlands)
Class B
Christiana (Norway)
Rupel (Belgium)
Swan (UK)
Class C/D
Esprit (Germany)
Belfer (Slovenia)
Helena (Finland)
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 – as they sail from Esbjerg (Denmark), to Harlingen (Netherlands), to Antwerp (Belgium), finishing in Aalborg (Denmark).
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.
THE TALL SHIPS RACES 2022
The Tall Ships Races 2022 will see the international fleet of Tall Ships and Small Ships return to the North Sea. From 7 July-7 August, we will visit Esbjerg, Harlingen, Antwerp and Aalborg.
The event will mark a welcome return to all four Host Ports who have hosted a total of 16 Tall Ships Races and Regattas so far. The series will see the Tall Ships sailing from Esbjerg, Denmark, south through the North Sea to Harlingen, Netherlands, as part of an exhilarating Race One.
Following this they will enjoy a stunning Cruise-in-Company leg further south to Antwerp, Belgium, enjoying spectacular coastal sailing. Race Two will take the fleet from Antwerp, Belgium, back north through the North Sea to Aalborg, Denmark, for the final celebrations.
Esbjerg, Denmark 7 July – 10 July
RACE 1
Harlingen, Netherlands 14 July – 17 July
CRUISE-IN-COMPANY
Antwerp, Belgium 22 July – 25 July
RACE 2
Aalborg, Denmark 4 August – 7 August