Race two, report four: line honours to Tomidi

The fleet continues towards Esbjerg, Denmark – the final port of The Tall Ships Races 2014 with early finishers in Class C and D and more to finish during the night. 

The ideal sailing conditions over the last 24 hours have meant very good progress by the majority of the vessels.  Line honours has gone to Tomidi (Belgium) who crossed the finish line in a fresh westerly breeze at 14hrs 33mins 49 seconds (UTC/GMT) and completed the 387 mile race course at an average of 7.56 knots (nautical miles per hour). Close behind her were Gigi (UK), Antwerp Flyer (Belgium), Spaniel (Latvia) and Esprit (Germany).

Christian Radich (Norway) looks well positioned to be the first Class A ship to cross the finish line, although Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway), Eendracht (Netherlands) and Gulden Leeeuw (Netherlands) are not far behind.

Atlantica (Sweden) has consolidated her lead in Class B with Rupel (Belgium) and Liv (Norway) still racing side-by-side in the race to be second across the line in their class.

Close racing over the whole fleet has meant that most vessels are in sight of others out on the water.  The freshened wind gives speeds of 10 knots to some but all are making steady progress.  The conditions are causing placings within the classes to change regularly as vessels round the way points.  The critical turn at the penultimate way point and the 50 mile run into the finish will dictate the final positions.  

The wind is forecast to remain favourable over the next 24 hours giving the chance for many more finishers.

The interim position report at 1600 shows:

Class A

1 Christian Radich (Norway)

2 Kapital Glowacki (Poland)

3 Statsraad Lehmkhul (Norway)

Class B

1 Liv (Norway)

2 Rupel (Belgium)

3 Jens Krogh (Denmark)

Class C

1 St Iv (Estonia)

2 Wilhelmstad (Poland)

3 Hosanna (France)

Class D

1 Gigi (UK)