The lighter winds have begun to benefit the smaller vessels with the Class C vessel Esprit (Germany) now in the lead on the water. Christian Radich (Norway) and Mir (Russia) are however close behind as are the yachts Akela (Russia), Antwerp Flyer (Belgium) and Rona II (UK) leaving the race for line honours still wide open.
Overall on corrected time Christian Radich remains in the lead with Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway) in second place and the Class B vessel, and winner of Race One, Jolie Brise (UK) now in third place. In Class A Sorlandet has moved up to third place on corrected time.
Behind Jolie Brise in Class B on corrected time is Moosk (UK) with Morning Star of Revelation (UK) now up into third place. Black Diamond of Durham (UK) is back in the lead in Class C with Akela in second and Gaudeamus (Poland) in third. St Barbara V (UK) has taken back the lead in Class D with Rona II (UK) in second and Svanen (Denmark) back up into third place.
Disappointing news for Assarain II (UK), who had been in the lead in their class, as their forestay broke overnight which has meant she has had to retire from the race and is making her own way to Den Helder. There are some very unhappy Captains’ Daughters on board!
The winds have lessened but are due to increase, still from the south east but from 12-17 knots to between 24 and 35 knots. Tomorrow winds will remain in the south east but increase to 21-41 knots before veering south south west and decreasing 14-20 knots. Given the conditions, a number of vessels will probably cross the finish line over the weekend.
August 16, 2008 | admin
More vessels in The Tall Ships’ Races continued to cross the finish line overnight making small amendments to the provisional results. In the lead on corrected time overall remains Jolie Brise (UK) with Stina Mari (Norway) in second place and Christian Radich (Norway) in third. In Class A on corrected time Christian Radich is in first place with Mir (Russia) in second and Alexander von Humboldt (Germany) back up into third place. However Alex has not yet finished the race so this may change again.
In Class B on corrected time, behind Jolie Brise and Stina Mari is now Constantia (Sweden) although again, she has not yet finished the race so this placing may again change. In Class C on corrected time, positions remain unchanged with Alba Explorer (UK) in first place, Black Diamond of Durham (UK) in second and Spaniel (Latvia) in third. Class D is also unchanged with Assarain II (UK) in first place, Lietuva (Lithuania) in second and St Barbara V (UK) in third.
The vessels are now pouring into Maløy in beautiful bright and sunny weather. The smallest town ever to host The Tall Ships’ Races is gearing itself up for it’s busiest week ever with thousands of people expected to visit the town over the coming days. Almost all the people who live in the town are involved in some way and cruise ships have been brought in to cater for the expected visitors.
July 30, 2008 | admin
More vessels in The Tall Ships’ Races finished overnight and arrived in Maløy to a warm welcome with their national anthems played and flags raised. The small fishing town of Maløy is about to be doubled in size with the arrival of the fleet and everyone is involved in some way or other. Two cruise ships have been brought in to cater for the numbers of people expected, as the one hotel with its 48 rooms would not be able to cope!
Overall on corrected time Jolie Brise (UK) is in first place with Stina Mari (Norway) in second and Christian Radich (Norway) in third. Behind Christian Radich in Class A is Mir (Russia) with Alexander von Humboldt (Germany) in third. However, there are a number of other Class A vessels yet to cross the finish line so this may change.
Photo: Stina Mari
Class B remains unchanged from last night with the first three being, Jolie Brise, Stina Mari and Far Barcelona (Spain). Classes C and D are also unchanged as all vessels have now crossed the finish line.
A total of 23 vessels have now crossed the finish line with another dozen or so frustratingly waiting just off the coast for some wind to help them across the line.
Lord Nelson and Pelican of London (UK) are the back markers, still some way back north of the Shetland Isles. Other vessels making their way across the North Sea are Moosk (UK) and Spirit of Fairbridge (UK). However with the race time limit not up until Thursday 31 July, they should have sufficient time to make progress. A number of vessels have retired and are making their way to Maløy under power. These are: Jens Krogh (Denmark), Leader (UK), Roald Amundsen (Germany), Svanhild (Norway) and Williwaw (Belgium). Hebe III (Czech Republic) was also forced to retire after being dismasted and has made her way to Stromness.
July 29, 2008 | admin
The evening report has seen a number of vessels crossing the finish line but also some interesting change in positions. The Norwegian Class B vessel Stina Mari has taken over the lead overall on corrected time with Alexander von Humboldt (Germany) now in second place and Christian Radich (Norway) back in third for the first time since the beginning of the race.
Behind Alexander von Humboldt and Christian Radich in Class A on corrected time is Asgard II (Ireland). In second place behind Stina Mari in Class B on corrected time is Jolie Brise (UK) with Far Barcelona (Spain) in third. Black Diamond of Durham (UK) remains in first place in Class C with Alba Explorer (UK) in second and Spaniel (Latvia) in third. In first place in Class D is still Assarain II (UK) with St Barbara V (UK) in second and Lietuva (Lithunia) in third.
Four vessels have now crossed the finish line, Mir, Spaniel, Lietuva and Alba Explorer. Several others are within 20 miles of the finish line but frustratingly are becalmed.
Changes to these positions may still change as more vessels cross the finish line over night and only when all the vessels are in and their race declaration forms are received, can the final results be confirmed.
Sail Training International
July 27, 2008 | admin
As a number of vessels are approaching the finish line in the first race of The Tall Ships’ Races 2008, it is clear that many of them are pulling out all the stops to beat their rivals. Christian Radich (Norway) retains the lead overall on corrected time, but now Alexander von Humboldt (Germany) has moved up to second place with Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway) in third. On the water, Alba Explorer remains likely to take line honours with an expected finish time of around midnight tonight.
Class B continues to be led by Stina Mari (Norway) on corrected time with Jolie Brise (UK) now in second and Far Barcelona (Spain) back up into third place. Behind Alba Explorer in Class C is Black Diamond of Durham (UK) who are making a run for the line and Spaniel (Latvia) in third, who are always keen to be in the winning line up. Lietuva (Lithuania) has now taken over the lead in Class D, pushing Rona II back into second place and Urania (Netherlands) remaining in third.
The fleet tracking shows that some of the fleet decided to go further north, while others kept a more southerly course. Strategically Statsraad Lehmkuhl may have an advantage over Christian Radich as she is slightly more up wind which may help her close the gap.
Winds remain fresh for much of the fleet but as the vessels approach the Norwegian coast, winds will become light and variable, which may extend the calculated ETAs for many of the vessels.
Sail Training International
July 26, 2008 | admin
