Following three weeks of maritime celebrations across the UK, Denmark and Norway the Tall Ships Races 2018 began it’s final port stop today in Harlingen, the Netherlands…
Vessels began arriving at midday on Friday 3 August during a special Sail In Parade. Throughout the arrivals, crowds lined the harbour sides, giving the Tall Ships fleet a warm Dutch welcome.
Fresh from a challenging race from Stavanger, the crews and trainees will be eager to sample the delights on offer in the beautiful Dutch municipality.
Welcoming the fleet, Race Chairman Sigurd Dale looked forwards to the next three days of celebrations.
“Sail Training International is delighted to bring back the spectacular ships and the spirit of The Tall Ships Races back to Harlingen after four years.
“The Tall Ships Races has since the first race in 1956 represented a unique celebration of international friendship and understanding, with ships and crews from many countries around the world.
“For the young crew sailing aboard the ships, the event will deliver unforgettable experiences and friendships that will last a lifetime. This especially applies to the over 200 young people from the Harlingen region who have sailed in this year’s races.
“We hope that the visit of The Tall Ships Races will inspire more young people from the region to attend Dutch and foreign sail training vessels around the world in the future. We would like to thank all the volunteers and the Harlingen management for their commitment and ongoing support for The Tall Ships Races and we are looking forward to a fantastic event!”
Sail Training International Race Chairman, Sigurd Dale
A WARM WELCOME FOR THE FLEET
Spectators and local residents were treated to an incredible Sail In parade from the Tall Ships fleet on the first day of celebrations. The fleet of Tall Ships, accompanied by a number of local ships, approached the Dutch harbour town in beautiful formation from across the Wadden Sea before docking in Harlingen.
An Action Packed Four Days of Entertainment
Accompanying the maritime celebrations in Harlingen is a packed programme of entertainment that will be held across the event site. Visitors will be able to enjoy live music, multimedia entertainment, traditional arts and crafts and much more.
You can check out the full event programme below.
About Harlingen
Harligen is one of the oldest seaports in the Netherlands, and it’s the gateway to northern Holland from the North Sea. It’s is the homeport for sea-going trawlers and a large traditional sail charter fleet.
The city has a history that stretches back a thousand years, and this is reflected in the beautiful architecture on show. Harlingen is the departure point for Frisian ships to the north, south, east, and west. This means that it’s accustomed to receiving visitors, and you can always expect a warm, friendly welcome.