Finish Could Be Earlier Than Expected

The fleet is continuing to make good progress in favourable winds with the forecasted unfavourable from the SW unlikely to be sustained as predicted meaning all vessels should cross the finish line earlier than expected.

The stiff competition continues with Mir, Russia, making good tactical decisions today and holding onto her lead ahead of  Dar Mlodziezy, Poland.

Ebb Tide, Netherlands, has regained her lead by just 0.8 of a mile over Ocean Spirit of Moray, UK, as both vessels are battling it out within sight of each other in the middle of the Bay of Biscay. Ebb Tide has 312 miles to go to the finish line. 

Rona II is leading Class D on the water, and on corrected time, with Miles to Go, Belgium and Akela, Russia in second and third places. In Class B, Maybe, UK, remains ahead of the group in both elapsed (actual) and corrected time.

Paul Bishop, Race Director, The Tall Ships Races 2012 comments: “The competition will undoubtedly remain tight in all Classes tonight and those crews who are able to keep their focus best throughout the hours of darkness should be able to gain some advantage over those who ease up.”

Position by Class using corrected time:

Class A: Mir, Dar Mlodziezy, Alexander Von Humboldt II

Class B: Maybe, Etoile Polaire, Johanna Lucretia

Class C: Black Diamond of Durham, St Iv, Ocean Spirit of Moray

Class D: Rona II, Miles To Go, Akela

Register to Follow the Fleet for live tracking (updated hourly) or for a list of the official interim results which are updated twice a day, CLICK HERE

The Tall Ships Races 2012, Presented by Szczecin and organised by Sail Training International is taking place in the following host ports: 

St Malo – Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 July (race start Monday 9 July)

Lisbon – Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 July

Cadiz – Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 July

A Coruí±a – Friday 10 to Monday 13 August

Dublin – Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 August

Behind the scenes insights on Twitter @tallshipsraces and Facebook