The first two days of the Tall Ships Races 2016, Lisbon have been a huge success. Massive crowds of spectators and trainees alike gathered in the bright sunshine to check out the international fleet of Tall and Small Ships.
The first day of the event (Friday 22 July) ended with the Captains’ Dinner at the Forte de São Julião da Barra in Lisbon. Knut Western, Race Chairman, Sail Training International, and Captain of Alexander von Humboldt II, Immo von Schnurbein, emphasised the importance of sail training and international friendship.
Crew Parade
Earlier today (Saturday 23 July), crew members from each of the vessels in the Tall Ships fleet paraded through the port and city of Lisbon in style. The parade travelled through Ruado Ouro, starting at Praça dos Restaurandores and ending at the Praça do Municipio (in front of Lisbon City Hall) for the hugely popular Prize-Giving Ceremony.
The parade was a diverse and colourful melting pot of cultures and styles, with multi-national crews marching along the cobble-stoned streets of Lisbon.
Prize-Giving Ceremony
The winners at today’s Prize-Giving Ceremony were:
3rd Class D on Corrected Time
Politechnika (Poland)
2nd Class D on Corrected Time
Tomidi (Belgium)
1st Class D on Corrected Time
Akela (Russia)
3rd Class C on Corrected Time
Challenge Wales (UK)
2nd Class C on Corrected Time
Spaniel (Latvia)
1st Class C on Corrected Time
St Iv (Estonia)
3rd Class B on Corrected Time
Rupel (Belgium)
2nd Class B on Corrected Time
Maybe (UK)
1st Class B on Corrected Time
Jolie Brise (UK)
3rd Class A on Corrected Time
Fryderyk Chopin (Poland)
2nd Class A on Corrected Time
Georg Stage (Denmark)
1st Class A on Corrected Time
Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway)
Communication Award
Black Diamond of Durham (UK)
Youngest Crew
Morgenster (UK)
Most International Crew (with 17 nationalities)
Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway)
Most spectacular crew in the parade, Class B, as judged by the Antwerp Port Committee
Ocean Spirit of Moray (UK)
Most spectacular crew in the parade, Class A, as judged by the Antwerp Port Committee
Alexander von Humboldt II (Germany)
First Overall on Corrected Time
Jolie Brise (UK)
Line Honours (6 days, 2 hours, 13 minutes, 15 seconds)
Spaniel (Latvia)
News From Behind the Sails
This morning on board Statsraad Lehmkuhl we had the pleasure of meeting Jaak Freemault, a 78-year-old sailor with 10 grandchildren (who he’s promised to inspire to take part in future Tall Ships Races and Regattas). Surprisingly, Jaak isn’t quite the oldest crew member on board… Raymond Comber from the UK has beaten him by a year.