Tall Ships Magic Returns to Belfast

The ‘best ever’ Tall Ships festival in Belfast has welcomed

the majestic fleet of The Tall Ships Races 2015 and a fabulous four day

festival is now in full swing.

Knut Western, Race Chairman, Sail Training International

said, “We’ve brought the Tall Ships races fleet back again after our

successful visits in 1991 and 2009 and it’s a fantastic port to start off this

spectacular event.  Belfast has a great

maritime heritage and is renown for being a sail training friendly port. 

“The crews here represent thirty different

nationalities and they have all had a terrific welcome.”

Nearly 2,000 crews and trainees from the ships taking part

in the first race leg of The Tall Ships Races 2015 from Belfast, UK to

Aalesund, Norway, joined together in a spectacular parade and one of the best

prize giving award ceremonies.

THE TALL SHIPS RACES 2015: BELFAST WINNERS

Most spectacular

arrival – Cisne Branco (Brazil)

Best dressed ship/vessel in port (Class C or D) – Akela

(Russia)

Best dressed ship/vessel in port (Class B) – Maybe (UK)

Best dressed ship/vessel in port (Class A) – Santa Maria

Manuela (Portugal)

Oldest ship in fleet – Leader (UK) Built in 1892

Ship furthest from home 

(One winner, all classes)  –

Guayas (Ecuador)

Environmental award (Class A) – Rupel (Belgium)

Environmental award (Class B, C OR D) – Lord Nelson (UK)

Social media 3rd prize – Atyla (Spain)

Social media 2nd prize – Eendracht (The Netherlands)

Social media 1st prize – Europa (The Netherlands)

Most musical crew (One winner, all classes) – Guayas

(Ecuador)

Best dressed crew in parade (Class C OR D) – Rona II (UK)

Best dressed crew in parade (Class B) – Belle Poule (France) 

Best dressed crew in parade (Class A) – Alexander von

Humboldt II (Germany)

Later today (Saturday 4 August) the Captains of the fleet

will meet for a pre race briefing for the first race to Aalesund, Norway.   The fleet will be taking part in a Tall

Ships Parade on Sunday 5 July and then making their way to Port Rush for the

race start on Monday 6 July.  

A photo of the crew parade can be seen on Facebook here.

Watch The One Show live programme from the deck of Guayas on

Friday 4 July here.  Only available to

view in the UK until the beginning of August.

Editor’ notes:- 

What is sail training? 

Sail Training is an adventure activity, which includes far

more than sailing instruction. Participants are required to confront demanding

challenges, both physical and emotional. It is an activity that inspires

self-confidence and personal responsibility. It promotes an acceptance of

others, whatever their social or cultural backgrounds, and develops a

willingness to take controlled risks. Those who undertake Sail Training on Tall

Ships generally find it a positive life-changing experience.