Race Update 2

1600hrs UCT/GMT 15th July 2010

The race is really on between first three Class A ships, Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway), first in class and first overall, Christian Radich (Norway), second in class and second overall and Shtandart (Russia), third in class and third overall.  At the 1600hrs communication schedule, there was only minutes between their corrected times.  

Tecla (Netherlands) leads the Class B fleet, and is 12th overall.  Jens Krogh (Denmark) is second in class and 14th overall and Constantia (Sweden) is third in class and 15th overall.

In Class C, Dar Szczecina (Poland) is first in class and 18th overall.  Black Diamond of Durham (UK) is second in class and 35th overall and Gaudeamus (Poland) is third in class and 36th overall.

Polarrev (Belgium) is first in Class D, followed by Tomidi (Belgium) in second place and Miles to Go (Belgium) – pictured – third  – all on corrected time.

Sadly both Antwerp Flyer (Belgium) and Hebe III (Czech Republic) have retired.  Antwerp Flyer is now in Den Helder and Hebe III is being assisted into Den Helder by the Dutch coastguard after having a problem with her rudder but it is reported that all is well with her crew.

The wind is south south west at 25-30 knots.  The sea state is rough but in a favourable direction, which accounts for the incredible speed the feet are sailing along the course.  Mir (Russia) who is first on the water, is sailing at 13.9 knots and Utopia (Denmark) at the rear of the fleet is doing 5.4 knots.  

The wind is forecast to gradually decrease tomorrow and generally decrease over the next few days though remaining in a favourable direction so the fleet are still expected to make fast passage to Aalborg.

To track The Tall Ships Races fleet as they race, click here  

To view the current placings of the race, click here.

To see more images from The Tall Ships Races, click here.

The Tall Ships Races is presented by Szczecin and organised by Sail Training International.