Smiles on Smialy as they finally arrive in Gdynia

Polish Bermudan ketch Smialy finally joined the rest of the fleet in Gdynia this morning after having to detour to Ventspils for urgent repairs to her rigging.  

Having missed the prize giving ceremony yesterday, Race Director Peter Newell was delighted to be able to present Captain Jacek Atroszko with a trophy for 3rd in Class C on corrected time for Race 2.   

Despite the unscheduled delay, the crew had a great time and had a crew party of their own yesterday evening, out in a quiet sea under a clear sky full of beautiful stars.

Asked about personal highlights of the trip, crew member Agata Jasiaska (27) said “Spending time at sea with friends was wonderful.  Also going on watch at 0400 when you are wet and cold and hungry, but you step up on deck and see the sea and the stars and everything is so beautiful”.  

The 14m ketch Smialy was built in the late 1950’s in Poland.  in 1965 she undertook a year long journey around South America for which she became famous and which became a milestone in Polish sailing history.  The current skipper, who collected a prize for the Youngest Captain in the Fleet earlier in the Regatta, is planning a repeat of that trip in the coming years.  

The Culture 2011 Tall Ships Regatta is organised by Sail Training International