50th Anniversary Tall Ships' Races
Organised by Sail Training International
Supported by Antwerp
Host Ports
Each of the five host ports for the 50th Anniversary Tall Ships' Races prepared an impressive programme of events, entertainment, social, sporting and cultural activities for the trainee crews and visitors. Each port also recruited trainees from their local communities to participate in the Races and, between them, more than 2,000 volunteers assisted the fleet when it was in port.
Over the past 50 years more than 90 ports in Europe have hosted The Tall Ships' Races and nearly half of them recruited close to a further 200 young trainees who took part in the anniversary Race series.
Veteran Trainees from 1956
Many veteran trainees from 1956 also took part in the 50th Anniversary Tall Ships' Races with others attending one or more of the race ports. Each one received a special commemorative medal to mark the occasion.
Saint Malo, France
The fleet spent four wonderful days in Saint Malo, France, enjoying French hospitality. The trainee crews were able to take advantage of the beautiful beach close by and take part in sports and activities that had been specially arranged for them. For more reports from Saint Malo, visit the News Pages.
Pictures the fleet in Saint Malo can be seen in the Picture Gallery.
Race Start in Torbay
His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, Patron of the 50th Anniversary Tall Ships' Races series came to Torbay to meet some of the veterans of the 1956 race, as well as some of the captains and trainees taking part this year.
His Royal Highness was presented with a specially engraved belaying pin on behalf of Sail Training International by Caroline Fryer, a 15 year old student from Dauntsey's School who was a member of the crew of Jolie Brise, UK. His Royal Highness then reviewed the fleet before giving his approval to start the race.
A further report of the events of His Royal Highness' visit to Torbay and the race start can be seen in News.
Pictures of His Royal Highness' visit and the race start can be seen in the Picture Gallery.
Lisbon, Portugal
At the end of a long and tiring race, the fleet arrived in Lisbon under blue skies for four days of relaxation and a chance to enjoy the sights of Lisbon. The trainee crews took part in sports and activities that had been specially arranged for them as well as go on sightseeing visits of the city and surrounding areas. The fleet then left the city in a spectacular Parade of Sail when hundreds of spectactor vessels joined the fleet for their journey up the River Tagus. Over a million people were estimated to visit the fleet and watch the Parade of Sail. For more reports from Lisbon, visit the News Pages.
Pictures the fleet in Lisbon can be seen in the Picture Gallery.
Cádiz, Spain
After a brief cruise-in-company the fleet arrived in the hot and sunny port of Cádiz, in the south of Spain, on 26 July. The city had been eagerly waiting for the ships to arrive so the people turned out in their thousands to see them. The opening ceremony was a spectacular affair with an aerial display over the fleet performed by the 'Patrulla Águila'. Each morning as soon as the gates to the port were opened at 11.00, crowds of people rushed to form a queue outside one of the Class A ships. In total over a million people were estimated to have viewed the ships over the four days. When the fleet departed for their second cruise-in-company to La Coruña in the north of Spain, thousands of spectator craft accompanied them in a beautiful parade that could be seen from the shore. For more reports from Cádiz, visit the News Pages.
Pictures the fleet in Cádiz can be seen in the Picture Gallery.
La Coruña, Spain
The fleet cruised-in-company up from the southerly port of Cádiz to La Coruña in the north, although had to endure some difficult conditions with northerly winds which made sailing difficult. However, many enjoyed stops en route at a number of Portuguese and Spanish ports which made them very welcome. La Coruña was ready and waiting for the fleet to arrive on 7 August, with many of the fleet arriving early. Crews enjoyed cultural tours and some excellent sports, while the public came to the port in their thousands to see the ships. The Parade of Sail on 10 August was watched by many from land while the Race Start, later that same day, was a spectacular affair with brisk winds setting the fleet off at a cracking pace. For more reports from La Coruña, visit the News Pages.
Pictures the fleet in La Coruña can be seen in the Picture Gallery.
Antwerp, Belgium
The race to Antwerp proved to be a mixed bag - the Class C and D yachts did very well and managed to find good winds, with the first vessel crossing the finish line in three days. The Class As and many of the Class Bs, however, suffered from light northerly winds that made it difficult for them to make good progress. Eventually, the race was called short by 48 hours in order that the back markers could make it to Antwerp without having to retire from the race. Crowds of people waited for the fleet in Antwerp. Persistent rain, not seen by the fleet for over a month, did not dampen the enthusiasm of the crews or viewing public. The final prize giving had to be held indoors, because of the weather, but the crews were just as noisy and excited as ever, cheering each prize winner as they stepped up on stage to collect their trophy. The final award was for the Sail Training International's Friendship Trophy and this was won by the Spanish vessel, Juan de Langara, the annoucement of which was met with great cheers of celebration from all her supporters. The final Parade of Sail out of Antwerp on 22 August was watched by many and proved a fitting end to the 50th Anniversary Celebrations. For more reports from Antwerp, visit the News Pages.
Pictures the fleet in Antwerp can be seen in the Picture Gallery.
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