Tall Ships Regatta off to a fantastic start from Falmouth
by Clive Reffell on 2 Sep 2014
Jolie Brise (red sails), Maybe in front of her, and Tecla ahead Clive Reffell
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Fine weather on Sunday August 31 encouraged an estimated crowd of 100,000 to watch a flotilla of a thousand vessels accompany the Tall Ships as they set off from Falmouth in Cornwall.
The largest ship in the fleet, the 120 metre Polish ‘Dar Mlodziezy’ led a Parade of Sail out of Falmouth Harbour and headed west to the delight of thousands of spectators on the Pendennis headland and past the nearby beaches down to Swanpool. Then they sailed to their race start lines four miles offshore.
This was the start of the only Tall Ships event to both start and finish in British waters. An international fleet of 44 ships and yachts entered in four classes to race to the Isle of Wight, and then ‘sail in company’ to Woolwich in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, London.
At least 50% of the crew on each ship are ‘trainees’ aged 15-25. Some already sail, many don’t. For all of them it is likely to be a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Before they set sail many of the 44 entrants were moored at Falmouth from August 28 to allow three days of public viewing. Local volunteers and Liaison Officers appointed to each ship ensured help was on hand for visitors to get maximum enjoyment.
Town centre street closures helped create a carnival atmosphere. Ships and yachts were decorated with flags and bunting. Music came from outdoor stages and through pub windows. There were quayside bars and food stalls and a fun fair. Shanty singers mingled with the crowds and all manner of traditional Cornish produce was on sale.
The local Royal Cornwall Yacht Club held its own three races on Saturday afternoon in Falmouth Harbour with a gala dinner at their clubhouse in the evening.
Rear Commodore of Greenwich Yacht Club, Steve Wilson, is sailing on Tecla, originally a Dutch herring boat built in 1915. He said everyone aboard was really impressed with the Saturday night fireworks that encouraged the crowds to stay late in town.
The fleet is due to arrive in London on September 4 and 5 and moor up at points along the Thames for more public viewing. Greenwich and Woolwich will have their own long-weekend Tall Ships Regatta festivals on September 5-7. The finale is a second Parade of Sail down the Thames on Tuesday September 9.
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