The crews refused to be beaten by the weather and paraded through the streets of Bergen despite persistent rain. Many crews didn’t even bother to dress in waterproof clothing but celebrated their ships in the traditional way with music, noise, whistles, bells, rattles and cheers. The crews paraded down the Bryggen with hundreds of people watching them and the ships themselves giving them a cheer with a volley of ships’ wistles as they passed.
When they finally reached Torgallmenningen, the central square where the sports prize giving was to be held, the rain finally stopped and the sun even made a brief appearance. Sports events held during the days in Bergen had been a football tournament, which was won by Cuauhtemoc (Mexico), a table tennis competition, won by Oleg Ivashkin of Akela (Russia) and a tug of war, again won by Cuauhtemoc
Each of the prize winners was awarded a guitar, as the city of Bergen wanted them all to become shanty singing ships and encourage singing.
Other sports winners were Lietuva (Lithuania) who won the Street Basketball, Capitan Miranda (Uruguay) who won the Beach Volley Ball and Picton Castle (Cook Islands) who won the Viking Ship rowing competition. An individual competition was held which involved hill walking up the hills behind Bergen. This was hotly contested but the male competition was finally won by Tim Keinwicz, of Morning Star of Revelation (UK) with the female winner being Alison McGill, from Trinovante (UK).
Two other awards were given, firstly to the ship which made the best entrance to Bergen. This was awarded to Sorlandet (Norway) which had made a dramatic entrance with the crew manning the yards and singing shanties. The second award was given for the best crew in the crew parade, and that was awarded to Asgard II (Ireland).
Tonight the crews will enjoy their crew party while the city continues to party in its own way with music and shanty singing on every corner.
August 10, 2008 | admin
The first official day of The Tall Ships’ Races in Maløy saw thousands of people crowding into the small town to visit the ships and watch the traditional Crew Parade through the streets. The small population swelled by many times its number as the visitors poured into town.
During the day, many crews had been taking part in sports events and cultural visits, but this afternoon it was their time to take centre stage and they did so in fine voice. The parade through the streets of Maløy was filled with colour and noise as the crews proudly represented their ships and celebrated their achievements in the race just finished. Visitors looked on in wonder as the crews sang, danced, chanted and generally filled the town with noise.
The crew parade went along a route from under the bridge, along Street One to the theatre, where they then turned and returned along the same route. This meant the crews were for a while going in two directions, which created an opportunity for many of them to cheer passing crews and show their respect for their fellow competitors.
Once they had all filed into the town square the offical Prize Giving began, which had an Olympic feel to it with the three winners standing on podiums to receive their beautiful blue glass trophies and bunches of flowers. The national anthem of the winning ship was played and dancers heralded in the next group.
As well as the Class prizes that were awarded, a number of other prizes were handed out, these were:
- Most spectacular entrance into Maløy, which was awarded to Cuauhtemoc (Mexico)
- Most creative crew in the Crew Parade was won by Morgenster (Netherlands)
- Most stylish crew in the crew parade, which was also won by Cuauhtemoc
- Vessel with thte most nationalities on board (with 12 different nationalities) was won by Morgenster (Netherlands)
- Vessel with the youngest crew (average age of 18 years and 11 months) was won by Moosk (UK)
- Oldest vessel in the fleet was won by Far Barcelona (Spain)
- Youngest Captain in the fleet was won by Clare Thorpe of Assairain II (Captains’ Daughters) who is 22 years, nine months and 27 days
- Oldest Captain in the fleet was won by Egil Simonsen of Westward Ho (UK)
- Vessel that had travelled the furthest to take part in The Tall Ships’ Races 2008, at 6, 121 miles, was Capitan Miranda (Uruguay)
- Sail Training International Communications Prize was awarded to Asgard II (Ireland)
- The Cook Longest at Sea was awarded to Wendy Laing on Lord Nelson (UK)
- Line honours – for the first vessel to cross the finish line – was awarded to Alba Explorer (UK)
- The first vessel overall on corrected time was won by Jolie Brise (UK)
The full list of the race results for Race One of The Tall Ships’ Races can be downloaded click here (pdf)
August 2, 2008 | admin
Liverpool reverberated to sound of drums, whistles and cheers as The Tall Ships’ Races crews took to the streets in the traditional Crew Parade. Starting at the Piazza in front of the BT Convention Centre, the crews paraded out around Salthouse Dock and back to the Convention Centre before going inside for a sports prize giving.
Many of the vessels had crew changes today, with more due tomorrow, but regardless of whether the crews had been involved in delivering the vessel to Liverpool or will be crewing in the race to Maløy, they made the most of the opportunity to let off some steam and thank Liverpool for their hospitality.
The wind fairly whipped across the piazza making it hard for the crews to keep hold of their flags and banners, but at least the sun came out which meant the public got to enjoy a wonderful spectacle. The navy crews of Cuauhtemoc and Cisne Branco stood out with their startling white uniforms, while other crews made make-shift disguises including a dragon.
The crews will tonight enjoy a party before taking part in some cultural tours tomorrow, including a Beatles Story tour.
July 20, 2008 | admin
