Blue sky celebrations for The Tall Ships Races 2014

Today (Friday 4 July) under glorious blue skies, The Tall Ships Races 2014 fleet looked magnificent in the intimate surroundings of the city of Harlingen, Friesland, The Netherlands.   

Huge crowds enjoyed the spectacle of the first, colourful crew parade of The Tall Ships Races 2014.   And trainees from the fleet enjoyed taking part in a wide range of sports activities – see Facebook photo gallery here.

Roel Sluiter, Mayor of Harlingen joined Robin Snouk Hurgronje, Race Chairman, Sail Training International in presenting prizes to vessels for the following awards.

Harlingen prizes

Inter-ship sports activities -Volleyball

Overall winner – Mir (Russia)

Inter-ship sports activities – Football

Overall winner – ORP Iskra (Poland)

Inter-ship sports activities – Bungee rowing

Overall winner – Kruzenshtern (Russia) 

Inter-ship sports activities – Tug of war

Overall winner – Mir (Russia)

Inter-ship sports activities –  Kaatsen/Hand tennis

Overall winner – Europa (Netherlands)

Inter-ship sports activities – Multi-sports challenge 

Overall winner – Wilhelmstad (Poland)

Environmental prize – Europa (Netherlands)

The environmental prize is linked to the Blue Flag scheme, an STI initiative to support marine protection and conservation 

Paul Bishop, Race Director, Sail Training International said, äóìEuropa upheld the principles and special regulations of the Blue Flag scheme with exemplary good practice around the world, which included sailing to the continent of Antarctica, where environmental restrictions are particularly tight.äó

STI prizes

Best crew in the Crew Parade Class A (as judged by the Harlingen Port Committee – ORP Iskra (Poland)

Best crew in the Crew Parade Classes  B, C and D  (as judged by the Harlingen Port Committee) – Morning Star of Revelation (UK)

Most spectacular arrival into Harlingen – Europa (Netherlands) 

Best presented ship alongside in Harlingen – Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway)

Vessel furthest from her home port – Atyla (Netherlands)

Netherlands registered, but based in Ibiza, Spain and recently returned from The SCF Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta.

Oldest vessel in the fleet – Leader (UK).  Year launched: 1892 (122 years old)

News from around the port

Avatar (Netherlands) enjoyed a smashing champagne launch for it’ ‘re-birth/christening’ following a major refurbishment to turn her into a stylish, sail training vessel.   

A former wooden German ship, built as a war vessel in 1941, she was rebuilt in steel in 1954 in Holland.  The present owner, Captain Andre Hanzens bought her in a dilapidated state in 2010 and completely rebuilt her in Harlingen.   äóìThis is my dream turned into reality,äó said Andre.   äóìI worked on Wylde Swann and Tecla and The Tall Ships Races 2014 is my first event for the vessel having only completed the work ten weeks ago.  I have 12 trainees on board a