The Tall Ships' Races 2007 Baltic underway

by Sail Training International on 13 Jul 2007 The Tall Ships' Races 2007 Baltic got off to an excellent start on the 10th July 2007, in sunny conditions and winds of around Force 3/4. A total of 79 vessels crossed the start line, with the Class A vessels being led across the line by Dar Mlodziezy (Poland) at 0900 GMT (1100 hrs local).

The Mexican ship Cuauhtemoc followed less than a minute later with Christian Radich (Norway) third over the line and making good progress.

The Class B vessels started at 0930 GMT and were led over the line by Albanus (Åland) with Joanna Saturna (Finland) second and Constantia third, just in front of Falken (Sweden) getting the Scandinavian countries off to a good start.

By the time the Class C vessels started the wind had dropped to Force 1/2 posing a few problems for the vessels but Esprit (Germany) was first across just in front of Spaniel (Latvia) and Karfi (Poland). Hansa (Spain) led the Class D vessels over the line, with Tomidi (Belgium) close behind and Feelings (Finland) in third.

The weather outlook is favourable with a good wind from the west expected between Force 4/5 which should mean the fleet will make good progress towards the first Waypoint off the island of Bornholm.

July 11th report:

When the ships reported their positions shortly after the race start, Christian Radich (Norway) had taken an early lead on corrected time in The Tall Ships' Races 2007 Baltic, ahead of fellow Norwegian Sorlandet and the Danish ship Georg Stage. The third Norwegian ship in the race Statsraad Lehmkuhl was lying in fourth place.

At 0500 GMT this morning (11th July), Shtandart (Russia) had taken the lead overall, pushing Christian Radich into second place with Statsraad Lehmkuhl moving up to third place and beginning to put pressure on rival Christian Radich.

The highest placed vessel overall from the other classes is the Class B Albanus (Finland) who started well yesterday. Behind her in Class B is Utopia (Denmark) and Aglaia (Germany).

The Class C vessels are being led by St Iv (Sweden) with Warszawska Nike (Poland) in second and Dar Natury (Poland) in third. Nasz Dom (Poland) is leading the Class D vessels in front of Rona II (UK), who is doing well after a slow start, and Feelings (Finland) in third.

On the water, the fast Class D vessels are leading with Hansa (Spain) in front, Steppe (Belgium) in second and Tomidi (Belgium) in third.

Winds have picked up over night helping the majority of the fleet around Waypoint One. Today, west southwest winds of Force 5 are expected with rain forecast for later. The weather is set to continue with favourable westerly winds but becoming a little lighter in the coming days.

July 12th report:

At the 0500 GMT positions, Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway) had taken over the lead on corrected time, both overall and in Class A. Behind her is now Christian Radich (Norway) and Georg Stage (Denmark) in what is turning out to be one of the closest races in recent years and a real battle for the lead between the two Norwegian ships. The wind conditions continue to be favourable meaning that this battle for the lead could continue right to the end of the race.
On corrected time in Class B, Jens Krogh (Denmark) continues to lead with Albanus (Finland) in second and Aglaia (Germany) remaining in third. Magnolia (Poland) has now taken over the lead of Class C, with Dar Natury (Poland) moving up to second place and Gwarek (Poland) up into third. Class D is now being led by Svanen (Denmark) with Nasz Dom (Poland) back in second place and Rona II (UK) back up to third place.

On the water another battle is raging with Fazisi (USA) now leading, followed just one third of a mile behind by Tomidi (Belgium) and a mile behind her Hansa (Spain). All these vessels have very high Time Correction Factors so while they may be leading on the water, they are some way down the leaders on corrected time.
The leading Class A ship on the water is now Dar Mlodziezy (Poland) with Christian Radich some four miles behind her and Statsraad Lemhkuhl seven miles behind in third.

Winds continue to be favourable with southerly fresh winds of some Force 4-5, gusting to Force 6. Currently the fleet are experiencing rain but it will become fair later in the day. Winds are forecast to lesson slightly to Force 4 with gusts of up to 5 and still from a favourable direction.

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