At the start of 43 units, and to beat 400 nautical miles from the Finnish port Mariehamn to Szczecin – the last phase of the prestigious regatta The Tall Ships Races began on the weekend. Polish crews are besides taking part in the global race, including AMW's on board the ORP's school naval boat “Iskra”.
– This is the 3rd and final phase of the regatta. Earlier, the crew competed on the way from Klaipeda to Helsinki, as well as from Tallinn to Turku. We have besides had 2 “stages of friendship” whose results will not affect the final result – explains Celina Wołosz, spokesperson for this year's edition of The Tall Ships Races. ORP ‘Iskra’ She only joined the race now. There is no greater chance of final victory, but it fights for the best consequence in the 3rd installment of the struggle. But that is not the most crucial thing. – On board “The Spark” we have the first year's cases, who in early July went to sea practice. For them, regattas are an excellent chance to test intellectual and physical endurance. Step by step get utilized to serving in the watch system, at ropes, on masts, and at the same time face the force of time – says Dr. Radosław Maslak, spokesperson Naval Academy. – This is besides a reason for pride and satisfaction. Finally, our students will be present at a large global event not only at the home university, but besides at our naval forces and more widely – Poland – he adds.
43 sailboats left Mariehamn to the Baltic. Currently, 42 remained on the way due to the fact that 1 of the crew withdrew due to method problems. Almost half of the units come from Poland. In addition to the ORP “Iskra” in this year’s edition of The Tall Ships Races race “Pogoria”, “Youth Gift” and “Fryderyk Chopin”.
There are besides sailing ships from Germany, large Britain, and even Ecuador. Among them were individuals with a long and colorful history. Like "Roald Amundsen", built in 1952 for the National People's Army of the then GDR. Forty years later, a somewhat forgotten ship went to the shipyard, where as part of the state's anti-unemployment programme it was converted into a brig. He has since regularly participated in regattas and cruises across the seas of northern Europe. Even older is another German sailing ship “Grossherzogin Elisabeth”, launched in 1909 as a trade schooner called “San Antonio”. present it is owned by the association, and it is served by volunteers. On a regular basis, they organize trips to the Vezera and the Gulf of Germany and, as far as possible, embark on national and global regattas. An interesting story, however, accompanies this sailing ship from Ecuador. It is called “Guayas”, and it has a cruise around the planet and the highest discrimination gained during the Mediterranean edition of The Tall Ships Races. The crew won this laurel in 2007.
Soon sailing ships will be available in Szczecin. On 1 August, they will be moored at the Chrobry Wała, and their decks will be opened to visitors for 3 consecutive days. – The final regatta will be accompanied by many events and concerts. For the volunteers we plan to organize two-hour trips to the Odra – says Celina Wołosz. For more information, see www.tallships.szczecin.eu.
The communicative of The Tall Ships Races dates back to 1938. It was then at the initiative of Captain Arnold Schumburg in Stockholm that nearly 20 sailing ships from respective European countries met. Soon, representatives of their crews established the Union of North European School Ships. The imminent outbreak of war prevented more gold, but the thought itself survived. In the 1950s, British lawyer Bernard Morgan proposed another gathering combined with regatta. Soon, Sail Training Association was established. It took care of the organization of the event, which received the name The Tall Ships Races. Since then, it has taken place all year. Szczecin has hosted its final for the 4th time. Polish sailing ships triumphed in the regatta many times. In the last 2 editions the STS "Fryderyk Chopin" was the best. He besides regularly joins the race and the convention itself ORP ‘Iskra’. The Polish Navy School Sailer entered service in 1982. Among his achievements is simply a cruise around the world. The unit serves in the 3rd Fleet Ships.
