Jazzy winds of Klaipeda welcome the Baltic Tall Ships Regatta fleet
The Baltic Tall Ships Regatta 2015 officially started today (Friday 5 June) in Klaipeda, Lithuania as the international fleet of 21 vessels moored up alongside the embankments of the River Dane.
This is the third time Klaipeda has hosted a Tall Ships event – previous events were The Tall Ships Races 2009 and The Tall Ships Culture Regatta 2011. This year the fleet is being welcomed by the rhythm of jazz given by the most famous jazz musicians in the world during the 21st Klaipeda Castle Jazz Festival
Vytautas Grubliauskas, Mayor of Klaipeda said, äóìKlaipeda is proud to have been selected as the start port for the Baltic Tall Ships Regatta and we hope to make an impression on all the crew members so they will come back here again. We are also sure that this unique event will encourage Klaipeda’ citizens to be even prouder of their Baltic port and its deep-rooted marine traditions. The Tall Ships Regatta is called a life-changing experience – not only for the young trainees raising sails for the first time, but also for Klaipeda.
Over 500 crew members will be enjoying Klaipeda’ hospitality over the next few days. While some will be recovering from a challenging sail due to strong winds blowing over the Baltic Sea over recent days, other will be joining their vessels for the first time – making new friends sand preparing for their race to Szczecin, Poland which starts on Monday (8 June).
Robin Snouck-Hurgronje, Race Chairman, Sail Training International said, äóìWe’re delighted to bring the Regatta back to Klaipeda. We have vessels from six different countries including three of the largest class of vessels (Class A) from Poland, Netherlands and Russia – so visitors are guaranteed an exciting maritime backdrop to the famous Jazz Festival. And we know the crews will enjoy a wonderful welcome. Many of the crew will be sailing for the first time but will find it a positive life-changing adventure and it is for this reason we run our events – to give people the experience of being at sea as way to help them learn more about themselves and the value of working as a team.äó
Photos from the event can be seen on Facebook here or visit the Klaipeda Tall Ships Regatta website here.
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For more information contact Sally Titmus, Communications and Marketing Manager, Sail Training International, Charles House, Gosport Marina, Mumby Road, Gosport, Hampshire, UK PO12 1AH Tel: +44 (0) 23 9258 6367 Email: sally.titmus@sailtraininginternational.org
