Race One, Report Six: First vessel home

Current positions (all on corrected time) are as follows:

Class A

1st Rah Naward (Pakistan)

2nd Mircea (Romania)

3rd Kaliakra (Bulgaria) – pictured leaving Varna

It looks as though there may be a programming anomaly as Rah Neward is currently showing as 1st in Class A, which is unlikely given this morning’s position and the weather in her region and the fact that she has yet to pass Waypoint 1.

Class B

1st Johanna Lucretia (UK)

No reports from the other B class vessels – Adornate (Romania) and Bodrum (Turkey)

Class C/D

1st Akela (Russia)

2nd Sea Adventure (Bulgaria)

3rd Viking (Russia)

Bodrum and Adonarte are currently sailing close to the Russian coast of Sudak. Johanna Lucretia and Mircea (Romania) are still in the windless hole south of Waypoint 1. Both are beyond the Waypoint however it would appear from her Yellow Brick track that Mircea may not have passed Waypoint 1 to starboard as required. 

Akela arrived into the port of Novorossiysk this evening and were welcomed by the Race Chairman, Race Director and Asst Race Director.  Atyla (Spain) has retired. 

For the first time the Russian ships Nadezhda and Mir are no longer in close proximity as Nadezhda has tacked and at the time of reporting Mir has not and a similar pattern is emerging with Sedov (Russia) and Royal Helena (Bulgaria) in the far south of the fleet, with Sedov having now tacked.

In the next few hours the wind, apart from around Waypoint 1 where there is still a hole, will continue to enjoy brisk northerly winds between 15 and 20 knots. However as Wednesday 7 May dawns that wind veers north easterly and increases up to 20-25 knots, which will not be helpful for the fleet. It backs northerly again during the day and decreases somewhat before veering north easterly in the evening and gusting up to 25-30 knots.

You can follow the fleet on the Yellow Brick system by clicking on this link.

29 sail training vessels entered the SCF Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta, with 17 having arrived in Varna to take part, including one Ukranian and seven Russian ships. Most of them are racing from Varna (Bulgaria) to Novorossiysk (Russia) before cruising to Sochi (Russia), from where they will race the final leg to Constanta (Romania).

ends

About Sail Training International (STI)

STI is the international voice of Sail Training, a registered charity (not-for-profit organisation), which has worldwide membership and activities. Its purpose is the development and education of young people through the Sail Training experience, regardless of nationality, culture, religion, gender or social background. It organises the annual Tall Ships Races and other international Tall Ship sailing events. STI members are 29 national Sail Training organisations around the world and STI’ head office is in Gosport, Hampshire, UK.

The organisation was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 2007 for its work in promoting international understanding and friendship.   www.sailtraininginternational.org

What is sail training?

Sail Training is an adventure activity, which includes far more than sailing instruction. Participants are required to confront demanding challenges, both physical and emotional. It is an activity that inspires self-confidence and personal responsibility. It promote