Countdown to the biggest family festival in Europe

Only five months to go until the start of The Tall Ships Races 2014 and fifty nine vessels have already entered.  The excitement is building and plans are being finalised for a fantastic summer of sail training, exciting racing and host port festivities.

Race entries are still being taken and all remaining vessel operators are urged to submit their completed entry forms by the closing date of Thursday 1 May 2014.  

Ports, times and races

Harlingen, The Netherlands         Thursday 3 – Sunday 6 July

Race 1  

Fredrikstad, Norway Saturday 12 – Tuesday 15 July

Cruise-in-Company  

Bergen, Norway Thursday 24 – Sunday 27 July

Race 2  

Esbjerg, Denmark Saturday 2 to Tuesday 5 August

The Races start with a grand port event in Harlingen, The Netherlands. This will be the first Tall Ships event in Harlingen and the most impressive event of the year in the northern region of The Netherlands. Harlingen is one of the oldest seaports in The Netherlands and the Whadden Sea is on the UNESCO World Heritage list for its large marine nature reserve. It is a Tall Ships friendly port and at the forefront of all their activities will be the organisation of activities for young people.

From Harlingen the vessels will race to Fredrikstad, Norway, a host port in 2005. The Tall Ship Races in Fredrikstad coincides with the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of Norway’ Constitution and independence. The port therefore promises a social and cultural programme to give every crew member and visitor the ‘experience of a lifetime’. The port is at the centre of the city, which is rich in culture and has hundreds of years of maritime traditions.

From Fredrikstad vessels and crew can leave race conditions aside and enjoy a Cruise-in-Company to Bergen, Norway  – a Tall Ships host port for the fourth time.  This will be the biggest and most attractive event in the western part of Norway, with an estimated 500,000 visitors over four days. Bergen is one of the world’ most beautiful natural harbours and promises the experience of a lifetime for the crews.

The final leg is a race from Bergen to Esbjerg, Denmark where a maritime celebration, enthusiastic crowd and great atmosphere are promising to greet the fleet. The port anticipates this to be the event of the year – if not the decade, with the whole community becoming involved – from sports clubs, to shops, restaurants and local businesses.

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For further information contact Sally Titmus, Communications and Marketing Manager, Sail Training International   +44 (0)23 9258 6367, mobile   +44 (0)7827298733 sally.titmus@sailtraininginternational.org

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