Official Opening & Race Start Options

Today marked the official opening of The Tall Ships Races 2012 attended by international crews who have arrived in St Malo to experience an event of a lifetime.

Visitors glancing across the harbor towards the ‘Big Three’ consisting of Dar Mlodiezy (Poland), Mir (Russia) and Juan Sebastian El Cano (Spain) cannot fail but to be impressed.

That’ not forgetting the sight of Fryderyk Chopin (Poland), Alexander von Humboldt II (Germany) and Europa (Netherlands) adding to the stunning backdrop of the walled old town.

If trainees still want to take part in The Tall Ships Races 2012, places are still available for young people aged between 15 – 25 years old on Santa Maria Manuela (Portugal) and Lord Nelson (UK).  Contact the Captain of the ship direct in St Malo before Sunday.

Photo L-R: Nicolas Belloir (Assistant to the Mayor for sport) and Robin Snouck Hurgronje (Event Chairman)

Option A,  B or C?

The race from St Malo to Lisbon is 820 nautical miles.  The Race Committee is consulting on a daily basis to determine whether the fleet will follow Race Start option A, B or C.

Option A will see the fleet cross the traditional starting line which will be 1.5miles long determined by the start and leeward vessel.

Option B will be conducted between two waypoints further at sea.  The waypoints will be determined by the Race Committee for the Captains Briefing.

Option C will be implemented if there is no wind in which case the start will be delayed.  The Tall Ships will record their own race start time and report back to Sail Training International’s Communication Officers who will be sailing with the fleet.

Race 1 is planned to start from 0900hrs UTC on Monday 9 July when the start gate opens for Class A ships. The Race Committee will make the final decision on Saturday 7 regarding race start options which will be announced at the Captains Briefing.

Regardless of options, Sail Training International’s Race Team is looking forward to the first race of the summer series to commence.

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