What are The Tall Ships' Races?
The Tall Ships' Races are an internationally acclaimed annual competition organised by Sail Training International and held every summer in European waters. Each year between 70 and 100 vessels from 15-20 countries, crewed by some 5-6,000 young people from over 30 countries worldwide take part in this unique event that combines four days of activities in each port with racing or cruising-in-company between ports. The main aim of the event is to provide an opportunity for young people to develop their personal skills in a challenging and memorable sail-training environment and hence at least 50% of a Tall Ship's crew must be aged 15-25.
Kristiansand to Hartlepool 2010
The ships will leave Kristiansand in Norway on Sunday 1st August 2010 to embark on the second race of The Tall Ships' Races 2010 heading for Hartlepool.
The ships will be different sizes and different speeds and some will arrive early, but all ships must be in port at Hartlepool Quays by 12 noon on Saturday 7th August 2010 and that's when the fun will begin!
At centre stage will be the ships themselves with the larger class A and B vessels berthed in Victoria Harbour at PD Ports and the smaller ships of less than 8m beam berthed in Hartlepool Marina. Visitors will have the opportunity to walk along the quayside and take in the sights, sounds and smells of the magnificent vessels and their domineering sails and masts. They will be able to go on board ships, meet the Captains and crew, and in some cases, go out on the open sea for a day sail. A Tall Ships Village will link the two berthing sites and will have the buzz of international street theatre, music stages, exhibitions and food from around the world.
Activities and events will commence at 11am and run up until 11pm each day
The Tall Ships weekend will reach a climactic peak at the Eve of Sail spectacular in the evening of Monday 9th August which is traditionally the most popular and memorable event of the Tall Ships celebrations. This marks the end of the Tall Ships' stay in Hartlepool and is guaranteed to draw in crowds of visitors.
The Parade of Sail on Tuesday 10th August is when we bid farewell to the ships as they ceremoniously parade out of Hartlepool Quays, along the coast and back to their home town or next destination.
In August 2010 a two-week programme of events will be wrapped around the four days of the Tall Ships being in port complementing other events happening in the Region, such as the Stockton International Riverside Festival and the Sunderland Airshow.
Tall Ships' Race Distances:
Antrwerp, Belgium to Aalborg, Denmark
460 miles or 400 nautical miles or 740 kilometres
Aalborg to Kristansand, Norway
106 miles or 92 nautical miles or 170 kilometres
Kristainsand to Hartlepool
432 miles or 376 nautical miles or 696 kilometres
Information taken from www.hartlepooltallships2010.co.uk