Race report one: race starts in great style

September 1, 2014

Over a hundred

thousand people flocked into Falmouth for the Falmouth to Royal Greenwich Tall Ships

Regatta 2014, to witness the spectacular Parade of Sail.

Over the past three

days this hugely popular event has drawn record breaking crowds with some 45,000 people visiting the town and harbour

each day to experience the spectacle.

The official race

start, to St Catherine’s point off the Isle of Wight, started at 1600

yesterday. Following the race the ships

with sail in a Cruise in Company to Greenwich, with an arrival deadline of 12

noon Friday 5 September.

John Hick, Chairman

of Falmouth Tall Ships Association said, äóìThis event has been like no other the

town has ever seen – being even more spectacular than its 2008 predecessor.

“Ships and the

sea is such a huge and significant part of Falmouth’, and indeed Cornwall’, heritage and this year’

stunning event is a real honorary celebration of our proud history.

“With ships

coming in from all over the world, the Falmouth to Royal Greenwich Tall Ships

Regatta 2014 has showcased Cornish hospitality at its very best to our global friends, visitors and sailing

colleagues.äó

The race was started by the Royal Navy off shore patrol vessel, HMS Severn, whose commanding officer, Lieutenant

Commander Steven Banfield, is a veteran

of tall ships racing.

Over 1000 leisure

craft were reported to have surrounded the parade out of Falmouth.

Mike Bowles, Race

Director, Sail Training International said “The whole race start was

fantastic for the 41 vessels taking part and there was just enough wind to see

them on their way.

“Dar Mlodziezy

(Poland) lined up from a long way away and crossed the line in great style.

Royalist (UK) was first across the line which was significant as it was her

last race. Gulden Leeuw (Netherlands) was second though she claims she will be

the first to arrive in Greenwich.

“There was a

good crowd of 20 class B’s, first to cross was Jolie Brise (UK), though she

was in the start box too early. Second was Annabel J (UK) and third was Swan

(UK). They all looked good going across the line, but a little more wind would

have helped.