Race two, report five: first vessels welcomed into Esbjerg

Esbjerg, Denmark has welcomed the first vessels to have crossed the finish line in the final race leg of The Tall Ships Races 2014.  Many more are expected to follow today (Thursday 31 July) and Friday – with an arrival deadline set for 12 noon, Saturday.

The following vessels were in port this morning:

In Class C Antwerp Flyer (Belgium), Spaniel (Latvia), St Iv (Estonia), Wilhelmstad (Poland), Roztocze (Poland), Esprit (Germany)

In Class D Tomidi (Belgium), Gigi (UK), Zryw (Poland), 

Paul Bishop, Race Director, Sail Training International said, “The fresh westerly winds have produced some exciting sailing for the front runners with many vessels crossing the finish line close together.

“Christian Radich (Norway) was the first Class A ship to cross the finish line and is first on corrected time too – but Kapitan Glowacki (Poland) is still racing and there is only five minutes separating them on corrected time – so there is a faint possibility that she could take first place in the final stages.  Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway) has also put in a strong performance and was the second Class A ship to cross the finish line. She is in third place on corrected time.

“Atlantica (Sweden) was the first Class B vessel to cross the finish line having held her lead for most of the race with Liv (Norway), Johann Smidt (Germany) and Rupel (Belgium) close behind all the way.

“There was a very close finish in Class C and Antwerp Flyer (Belgium) held on to her narrow lead to cross the finish line just seven minutes and 12 seconds ahead of Spaniel (Latvia).

“The crew of Tomidi (Belgium) will have been celebrating last night in Esbjerg having gained line honours in a closely fought battle all the way with Gigi ((UK).”

“The favourable westerly winds that the fleet have been enjoying over the past couple of days are forecast to gradually decrease and back to the south today which may present problems to the slower vessels presently approaching the westerly waypoint.”

The interim position report at 0500 shows:

Class A

1 Christian Radich (Norway)

2 Kapital Glowacki (Poland)

3 Statsraad Lehmkhul (Norway)

Class B

1 Liv (Norway)

3 Jens Krogh (Denmark)

2 Rupel (Belgium)