Christian Radich (Norway) is holding on to her lead overall on corrected time, but has been overtaken on the water by a number of the smaller vessels favoured by the southerly winds. Behind her overall is now the Class B Jolie Brise (UK), clearly intent on taking a second title, with Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway) in third place.
Behind Christian Radich and Statsraad Lehmkuhl in Class A on corrected time is the Brazilian Cisne Branco. Behind Jolie Brise in Class B on corrected time is Moosk (UK) with Morning Star of Revelation (UK) in third. Class C is now being led by Akela (Russia) with Black Diamond of Durham (UK) in second and Gaudeamus (Poland) in third. St Barbara V (UK) remains in the lead in Class D with Rona II (UK) still in second but the third place now taken by Thyra (Denmark), in her own battle with fellow Danish Naval vessel Svanen.
Photo: Moosk (UK).
On the water Akela is now in the lead with just 10 miles to go to cross the finish line which she will do within the next few hours. Esprit (Germany) and Rona II are also doing well and expected to cross the finish line tonight. The closest Class A vessel to the finish line is Mir (Russia) with just over 35 miles to go.
The southerly winds have helped the yachts to make better progress than the square rigged ships and this is forecast to continue with south easterly winds of 11-21 knots, increasing to 27 knots at times. The further outlook is for the wind to come round to south south west, which will should help increase the average speed of the flee
August 16, 2008 | admin
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
The Class A ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway) remains in the lead overall on corrected time with Christian Radich (Norway) close behind in second and Cisne Branco (Brazil) in third. These three look set to battle it out between them for the honour of winning the race and their class.
Tecla (Netherlands) remains in the lead of Class B with Trinovante (UK) in second and now Far Barcelona (Spain) in third. Class C remains unchanged with Guadeamus (Poland) in the lead, Akela (Russia) in second and John Laing (UK) in third. The battle for Class D continues with St Barbara V and Rona II (UK) still in second and now Svanen (Denmark) back in third place, pushing rival and fellow Danish Naval vessel Thyra back into fourth – this is another battle that looks set to continue.
On the water a number have now rounded the first waypoint ten miles off Aberdeen and are now heading back down the North Sea towards Den Helder. Mir (Russia) remains in the lead with Cisne Branco now in second place and Statsraad Lehmkuhl in third. Others around the waypoint are Christian Radich, Cuauhtemoc (Mexico) , Eendracht (Netherlands) and Esprit (Germany)
The fleet are continuing to enjoy favourable north westerly winds of 12-18 knots which are set to continue for the rest of today. Tomorrow the winds are forecast to go round to east/south east and lessen slightly to 10-14 knots which will slow some of the square rigged ships down a bit.
The communications vessel, the Norwegian Coastguard Andenes was forced to be redeployed overnight to attend to some urgent coastguard duties, but Lord Nelson stepped in to take over the morning communication schedule, which delayed matters a little but hopefully things will be back to normal later today.
August 14, 2008 | admin
The Norwegian Class A ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl has taken an early lead on corrected time in the second race of The Tall Ships’ Races 2008. At the 0600 GMT position report, she was in the lead both in her class and overall with Norwegian rival Christian Radich in second place and Morgenster (Netherlands) in third.
Photo: Jolie Brise sails across the start line in the setting sun.
The first race winner Jolie Brise (UK) is also doing well and leading Class B as well as lying third overall on corrected time. Class C is being led by Gaudeamus (Poland) with Black Diamond of Durham (UK) in second and Akela (Russia) in third. Assarain II (the Captains’ Daughters from the UK) is looking to repeat her first race win and is leading Class D. Behind her is St Barbara V (UK) looking to give her a good run for her money with Svanen, one of the two Danish Naval vessel, lying in third.
The helpful northerly winds that finally helped the fleet across the start line has remained and increased slightly to between 13 and 20 knots. Many of the fleet may experience isolated showers but it for most it should become fair. These winds look to continue for the next 72 hours which will help the fleet across the North Sea to the waypoint some ten miles off Aberdeen.
August 13, 2008 | admin
The official opening ceremony for The Tall Ships’ Races in Bergen took place last night at 1900 hrs on top of the tower at the Hotel Havnekontoret, which overlooks the harbour. Proceedings were started by a stirring song from local singer, Sigurd Sele, who is about to star in the production of Les Miserables in Bergen. Chief Commissioner of the City, Monica Mæland, then welcomed The Tall Ships’ Races fleet to the city and wished them all an enjoyable time while in the city.
Chairman of The Tall Ships’ Races 2008, Knut Western, then outlined to the watching crowds just what the event is about and how they had the ability to change lives through the experience of going to sea. He hoped many more people in Bergen would have the opportunity to sail on one of the ships in future races.
Crew from Statsraad Lehmkuhl, Bergen’s own Tall Ship, then sang shanty songs from along the yards. As the ship was berthed close to the tower, the crews’ voices sang out across the area, much to the delight of the crowd. Sigurd Sele then sang the Bergen anthem with many of the crowd joining in.
The captains of The Tall Ships’ Races fleet then walked the short distance to the Bergenhus Fortress where they were entained to a lavish dinner in the Hakonshall, a medieval hall with a high ceiling which was lit by candlelight. Bergen Mayor Gunnar Bakke, who hosted the dinner, welcomed the captains and said it was their pleasure to entertain them and hoped they would all return soon. Capitan Mario Carbajal Ramirez, captain of Cuauhtemoc thanked the city on behalf of the ships saying how honoured they were to be so warmly welcomed to the city.
Entertainment was provided by a sole drummer, whose sound reverberated around the hall, and a singer who sang two songs in a beautifully clear voice that was appreciated by everyone.
August 10, 2008 | admin
At the 0600 GMT positions, as the fleet head across the North Sea, the battle for first place overall on corrected time is hotting up. Overnight Statsraad Lemhkuhl (Norway) has made excellent progress and moved up into second place behind Christian Radich (Norway) who continues to lead the fleet overall on corrected time. Sørlandet remains in third.
On the water Alba Explorer (UK) is streaking ahead of the fleet and is due to cross the finish line at 1750 GMT at her current rate. Christian Radich and Statsraad Lehmkuhl are also due to cross the finish line later this evening or early tomorrow morning.
Class B is currently being led by Stina Mari (Norway) with Morning Star of Revelation (UK) moving up to second place and Jens Krogh (Denmark) in third. However, no report was received from Jolie Brise this morning but the Communications team understand that she has a battery recharging problem at the moment and is therefore still very much in the race.
Behind Alba Explorer in Class C on corrected time is Black Diamond of Durham (UK), with Spaniel (Latvia) remaining in third. Rona II (UK) has held on to her lead in Class D on corrected time, with Lietuva (Lithuania) in second and Urania (Netherlands) in third.
The weather forecast indicates that the wind is set to remain with a good sailing breeze, south east, moderate to fresh, backing slightly to east south east over the next 48 hours.
Sail Training International
July 26, 2008 | admin
The battle for the lead of this first race in The Tall Ships’ Races series is hotting up with the Norwegian ships now dominating the first three positions on corrected time. Christian Radich remains in first place with Sørlandet in second and Statsraad Lehmkuhl now advancing fast with speeds up to 15 knots. The weekend will prove interesting for everyone watching this exciting race.
On the water Alba Explorer (UK) is still in front with Spaniel (Latvia) following in her wake. Both these vessels have chosen to go south of the Shetland Isles, while the leading square rigged ships on the water, including Mir (Russia), Christian Radich and Dar Mlodziezy (Poland) have gone north. It remains to be seen which tactic will pay off.
Jolie Brise (UK) has held on to her lead in Class B on corrected time with Jens Krogh (Denmark) moving up to second place and Constantia (Sweden) now in third. The Class C battle continues to rage with Alba Explorer keeping ahead of Ocean Spirit of Moray and Spaniel. Rona II (UK) also retains her lead in Class D on corrected time with Lietuva (Lithuania) now in second place, while Urania (Netherlands) remains in third.
Unfortunately Hebe III (Czech Republic) has reportedly lost her mast but it is understood that no-one has been injured and they are motoring towards the Orkneys.
Wind conditions remain south easterly and fresh although they are due to become lighter over the next 24 hours.
July 25, 2008 | admin
