Tall Ships Races 2016 A Coruí±a: Making a Splash in the Final Port of the Race
Yesterday (Wednesday 10 August), the international fleet began arriving in the final port of the Tall Ships Races 2016äó_ bustling and diverse A Coruí±a in Spain. The atmosphere is electric – everyone is ready to celebrate the finale of this special Diamond Anniversary event.
Lord Nelson (UK), Simon Bolivar (Venezuela), and Rupel (Belgium) were the first to arrive to a warm welcome in northern Spain and there are just a few vessels left still to make their way into the port by the end of tomorrow (Friday 12 August). We anticipate that the quays will fill up with 28 vessels and around 2,000 trainees.
The fleet is fresh from a hugely successful 430-mile final race and Cruise-in-Company from Cíçdiz in south-west Spain. The Tall and Small Ships had the opportunity to stop at different ports during the voyage along the Iberian Peninsula for celebrations, to make repairs, to take on supplies, and to give crew members the valuable chance to meet new people from different nationalities and experience sailing on board different vessels.
äóìRace three was very exciting and challenging; light headwinds made it very challenging for the captains and navigators. There were also some very close finishes within the classesäó_ in fact, line honours was also very close.
äóìSince then, the crews have enjoyed visits to both the Portuguese and Spanish Cruise-in-Company ports. However, because of the strong headwinds, it’ been difficult to get to A Coruí±a in time. So, the Cruise-in-Company has been a combination of enjoying a limited time in port and a challenging passage north.äó
Paul Bishop, Race Director, Sail Training International
About A Coruí±a
A Coruí±a is a thriving city in northern Spain and it can boast something quite special: it has hosted the most Tall Ships Races events ever. This will be the eleventh time the fleet has visited.
A Coruí±a is a busy port located on a promontory in the entrance of an estuary in a large gulf on the Atlantic Ocean. It’ the richest region of Galicia – an autonomous community in northwest Spain, and its economic engine.
The fleet has been given pride of place in the city – Class As are moored at the inner and outer quays of Muelle de Trasatlíçnticoa, right in the middle of the thriving metropolis, as well as at Muelle de Baterí_a. You can find the diverse fleet of Class B, C and D vessels at the pontoons of Marina Real, inside the Díçrsena de la Marina.
In the past, A Coruí±a has received several awards at the prize giving ceremony, including the Host Port Award. The Juan de Líçngara Association also won the Friendship Trophy in 2006 with its Tall Ship of the same name, which can be visited in port.
What Crews Can Expect
Over the next four days (Thursday 11 August-Sunday 14 August), crew members can expect to enjoy a raft of sporting and cultural events. These include a kayak regatta, fencing, tug of war, concerts in Marí_a Pita, open water swimming, a sailing regatta, the blade bowsprit, and pirate games.
In addition to these activities, crew members can take part in a number of guided cultural tours to sights around the city, including the Old Town, Marí_a Pita Square, San Antí_n Castle, Tower of Hercules, Mount San Pedro, and several gastronomically themed routes.
The local Marí_a Pita fiestas are also taking place in
