SCF Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta 2016 Sochi: The Fleet Makes a Grand Entrance
The international fleet of Tall and Small Ships has
arrived in Russia’ largest resort city Sochi – the third and
penultimate port of the SCF Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta 2016.
After
the early thunderstorms cleared, festivities kicked off in the port
earlier today (Wednesday 21 September)äó_ which has welcomed trainees,
cadets, crew members and visitors with open arms and spirited
celebrations.
The vessels have just completed Race 2 of the SCF
Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta 2016 from Novorossisyk to Sochi, and they
represent five different flag states – Bulgaria, Russia, Romania,
Poland, and Vanuatu. We’re expecting 1,000 trainees and professional
crew members to join in the festivities.
(Russia) arrived in Sochi first overnight last night, fresh from her
first place finish in Race 1. She was then followed by the rest of the
fleet, which moored up alongside in Sochi Grand Marina.
Race Results
We’re currently waiting for confirmation of the results of Race 2, which we’ll post later today. Keep checking back.
Welcome to Sochi
The
atmosphere in Sochi is electricäó_ and not just because of the storms.
The city is pulsing with a feeling of excitement and anticipation, ahead
of the next four days which are packed full of activities and events.
This
is only the second time that the SCF Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta has
taken place (the last time was in 2014). And, it’ the first time that
ships have raced between two Russian ports (Novorossisyk and Sochi)äó_ so
we’re expecting something pretty special.
The event coincides with
celebrations for the Diamond Anniversary of the first Tall Ships Race
in 1956 – Soviet and Russian Tall Ships have been participating since
1978. But that isn’t the only anniversaryäó_ Nadezhda (Russia) is celebrating her 25th anniversary and Kruzenshtern (Russia) is proud to commemorate her 90th!
Opening Ceremony
The
port opened its gates to the public earlier today, ahead of the
official Opening Ceremony at 13:00. A brass band provided a rousing
ceremonial introduction to the speakers: the Mayor of Sochi, Anatoliy
Pakhomov, STI Race Chairman, Robin Snouck Hurgronje, and Executive
Vice-President of PAO Sovcomflot, Technical Director of SCF Group, Igor
Tonkovidov. The ceremony provided a warm welcome to this beautiful city
for the trainees, cadets, crews and spectators and kicked the event off
in style.
äóìToday, we are back in Sochi with the Tall
Ships fleet. Why are we coming back? The answer to this question is very
simple. We know that the people in Sochi love the sea, love sailing
ships, and love people.
äóìWe have been organising the Tall Ships
Races and Regattas for 60 years. And why do we do this? Because we want
to bring, especially, young people together on board sailing ships
because we strongly believe that this experience will make them better
people.äó
äóìWe also want to bring people together from different
countries, from different cultures, and from different backgrounds.
Amongst the ships in the Tall Ships fleet, we have ships from Poland,
Spain, Romania, Bulgaria, and Russia here today. On board, there are
crew members from 15 different nations. And this is how we bring out
message of international friendship and mutual understanding.äó
äóìOn
behalf of Sail Training International and the captains and crews of all
the Tall Ships, I would like to thank the Mayor of Sochi for the great
hospitality and the great contribution to the eventäó_ Mr Anatoliy
Pakhomov.äó
Robin Snouck Hurgro
