Turku Joins Sail Training International Anchor Port Scheme
Ahead of the start of The Tall Ships Races 2024 Host Port stop in Turku, it was confirmed that the Finnish city had successfully applied to join the Sail Training International Anchor Port Scheme.
Having first hosted the world-famous race series in 1996, Turku is hosting The Tall Ships Races for the sixth time in 2024. With the agreement to join the Anchor Port Scheme, they are now also confirmed to welcome the majestic Tall Ships fleet when they return to the Baltic Sea in 2028 and 2032.
The Sail Training International Anchor Port Scheme is open to ports or cities who have a track record of delivering successful editions of The Tall Ships Races and would like the certainty of hosting a Tall Ships event at regular intervals, and to be associated with its core values of youth development, international friendship and understanding and protection of the environment.
Joining three other Anchor Ports, Esbjerg, Aalborg and Antwerp, Turku becomes the first port in the Baltic Sea to achieve this status.
Welcoming the city as the fourth Anchor Port, Sail Training International Chief Executive Officer, Alan James, explained the two main aspects of the Anchor Port Scheme that made Turku such a good addition.
“The Anchor Port Scheme establishes a long-term relationship between Turku and Sail Training International and a commitment to host the event moving forwards.
“There are two main aspects to being an Anchor Port, being operationally a gold star host for the Tall Ships fleet and being aligned with Sail Training International’s values of youth development, international friendship and understanding, and the protection of the environment and oceans.
“We believe Turku have a proven track record meeting both of these criteria and I would like to thank them for being such a great Host Port partner.”
Sail Training International Chief Executive Officer, Alan James
The Mayor of Turku, Minna Arve, welcomed the news and highlighted how The Tall Ships Races can help the city’s ongoing efforts to protect it’s unique surroundings in the Baltic Sea.
“As a port city, the sea has always been an inseparable part of Turku’s identity, and as the capital of the world’s most beautiful archipelago, we also have a special responsibility to protect the unique and delicate Archipelago Sea.
“We are committed to continuing our ambitious work so that future generations can enjoy the beauty and diversity of the sea. As a maritime event, The Tall Ships Races provides an excellent opportunity to highlight this important theme.”
Mayor of Turku, Minna Arve
The announcement was the perfect way to begin The Tall Ships Races 2024 celebrations in Turku, which start tomorrow and are expected to welcome over 500,000 visitors across four days.
About The Tall Ships Races 2024
The Tall Ships Races 2024 began on Thursday 27 June and continues through until Monday 5 August, with three exhilarating races and two scenic Cruise-in-Company legs. With Host Ports from five countries – Lithuania, Finland, Estonia, the Åland Islands and Poland – The Tall Ships Races 2024 will take in all the Baltic region has to offer.
The event takes the majestic Tall Ships fleet back to the Baltic Sea for the first time since 2017. During our last visit, over four million visitors came to see the Tall Ships, and we’re sure that 2024 will be just as spectacular.
(Featured image: The Tall Ships Races 2017 in Turku, credit: Olli Sulin)
