The Route and Dates
The course of the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 circles the North Atlantic Ocean, following the traditional trading route of sailing ships over the centuries taking full advantage of prevailing winds, which should provide spectacular racing conditions.
Click on the map to enlarge it
The fleet will gather in Vigo on the northwest corner of Spain (30 April – 3 May) for the start of the first race in the series, 900 nautical miles south-south-west to Tenerife in the Canary Islands (14 – 17 May). From there, the fleet will race the 2,600 nautical miles westward to Bermuda (11 – 15 June) where the ships and crews will be the centrepiece of the island’s celebrations of its 400th anniversary.
The fleet will then race to Charleston on the US east coast (25 – 29 June) before proceeding to Boston (8 – 13 July). A cruise in company of a further 370 miles north-north-east to Halifax (16 – 20 July), where celebrations include the 250th anniversary of the Naval Port, will be followed by a final race starting on Monday 20 July of 2,350 nautical miles eastbound across the North Atlantic to Belfast, Northern Ireland (13 – 16 August) which will host the series’ grand finale celebrations.
Race Dates
Vigo (Spain) – Tenerife (Canary Islands): 3 May - 14 May 2009
Tenerife (Canary Islands) – Bermuda: 17 May – 11 June 2009
Bermuda – Charleston (USA): 15 June – 25 June 2009
Charleston (USA) – Boston (USA): 29 June – 8 July 2009
Boston (USA) – Halifax (Canada) *: 8 July – 20 July 2009
Halifax (Canada) – Belfast (Northern Ireland): 20 July – 13 August 2009
* Cruise in Company leg
Host Port event dates
Vigo (Spain): 30 April – 3 May
Tenerife (Canary Islands): 14 May - 17 May
Bermuda: 11 June – 15 June
Charleston (USA): 25 June - 29 June
Boston (USA): 8 July - 13 July
Halifax (Canada): 16 July – 20 July
Belfast (Northern Ireland): 13 August – 16 August
