The Host Ports
Vigo, Spain 30 April – 3 May
Vigo is a relatively modern city whose charter dates back to only 1810. But since the twentieth century, when major urban development took place and the population multiplied by twenty-fold, the city expanded to become known as ‘The Gateway to the Atlantic’, and Spain’s busiest fishing port.
The city is situated in the middle of the “Ría de Vigo”. Stretching from the Cíes Islands to the island of San Simón, where it broadens after the bridge at Rande, the whole bay is dotted with picturesque little fishing villages, overlooked by the Olive City also known as “The Gate to the Atlantic”. Its beaches are very attractive with fantastic nautical facilities to practice water sports and routes along the “Ría”.
Vigo has a strong maritime heritage and relationship with Tall Ships, hosting the Tall Ships Race in 1982 and more recently in 1998.
Thursday 30 April:
1200: All vessels in port
2000: Reception and Captains’ dinner at Hotel Pazo Los Escudos
Friday 1 May:
1000: Berthing area open to public
1000: Sports programme for crew
1200: Official receptions
1700: Ecumenical service
2130: Crew party
Saturday 2 May:
1000: Berthing area open to public
1200: Captains’ Race
1500: Captains’ Briefing
1700: Crew parade
Sunday 3 May:
0900: Berthing area open to public
1100: Authorities reception at Estacion Maritima
1200: Parade of Sail
1900: Start of Race 1 to Tenerife
Vigo Website: http://desafioatlanticovigo2009.es
Tenerife, Canary Islands 14 – 17 May
Tenerife is the Island Capital of Canary Islands’ archipelago. For five hundred years its harbour, sheltered by the Anaga mountain range, has been a safe haven against the prevailing north easterly winds for seafarers navigating the Atlantic Ocean. James Cook, during his last voyage at the helm of the Endeavour, sought shelter here in 1776 as did William Bligh, commanding the Bounty, in 1778 and Charles Darwin, in 1882, on board the Beagle.
Tenerife’s port is currently a modern and vibrant harbour, safe and within ten minutes walking distance of the city centre. It has become a favourite port of call for tourist cruisers given its magnificent facilities and the variety of landscapes which can be found on the Island. On clear days, ships sailing from the North are able to spot the peak of Mount Teide (altitude 3,718 m) from many kilometers away.
The Island has two international airports at 10 and 50 Km from the port and with a broad range of hotels, the Island receives five million tourists per year.
There are excellent services, such as Maritime Rescue, tug boats, helicopters and aircraft based on the islands, along with public and private hospitals boasting state of the art technology. This wide range of facilities and services ensures that sailing boats and educational vessels from many countries use the Port of Santa Cruz regularly, as a stop over before crossing the Atlantic.
Thursday 14 May:
1200: All vessels in port
1200: Harbour area opened to public
1230: Press conference
2100: Musical events at the crew centre
2100: Captains Dinner at the Real Club Nautico de Tenerife
Friday 15 May:
1030: Sports activities, cultural and touristic visits for crews
1200: Sailing Races
1900: Crew Parade
2000: Prize giving ceremony at the crew centre
2100: Captains and Officers’ party at Real Club Nautico de Tenerife
2100: Crew Party at Check in/out Station
Saturday 16 May:
1030: Sport activities, rowing boat race, cultural and turistic visits
1100: Captains’ Briefing
1200: Canarian Infantry Battalion marching parade (in Napoleonic wars uniforms)
2100: Musical events at Crew Centre
Sunday 17 May:
1100: Fleet undocking and farewell with musical group
1300: Parade of Sail
1600: Start of Race 2 to Bermuda
Tenerife Website: www.puertosdetenerife.org
Bermuda 12 – 15 June
BERMUDA – a small island of 21sq. miles in the middle of the Atlantic with 65.000 inhabitants, will host the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge from 12 – 15 June, 2009. Hamilton is our capital city, but whether you drive, ride or sail, you can easily reach both ends of the island!
This will be our 5th Tall Ship Event, and 2009 marks the 400th Anniversary of permanent settlement. This special milestone will involve a year-long celebration for Bermudians but having the Tall Ships as our special guests during the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge will be the highlight of our summer festivities!
The Island, one of Britain’s oldest self-governing colonies, has a semi-tropical climate with warm turquoise sea, beautiful beaches and deep safe harbors. We boast the most northern coral reefs in the world. Our sea-faring island is also the 4th most remote, permanently inhabited island in the world. When you sail into Bermuda the first thing that will greet you is the smell of our beautiful flowers, and the first thing that you’ll see will be the smiling faces of the friendly Bermudian people.
While we are a small island in the middle of the Atlantic, the Tall Ships and their ships’ companies, their Captains, crews and sail trainees can be assured of a big welcome and a memorable experience unlike any other.
Thursday 11 June:
1200: All vessels to be in Hamilton harbour
1730: Official reception for captains at Newstead Belmont Hills Resort and Spa
1900: Tall Ships Harbour Nights Festival on Front Street and Culture Fest in North Hamilton
Friday 12 June:
1000: Trainees sports events at Horseshoe Bay
1700: Bermuda Society of Arts show at City Hall
1800: Supper for professional crew at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club
1800: Trainees supper party at Barr’s Bay Park
1830: Cocktail reception for Captains and invited guests
2000: Captains’ banquet at Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel
Saturday 13 June:
1000: Queen’s Birthday Parade on Front Street
1000: Trainees sports events at Horseshoe Bay
1830: Crew parade starting from Point Pleasant Road and going east on Front Street and ending in Victoria Park
1930: Prize-giving ceremony in Victoria Park
2100: Entertainment in Victoria Park
Sunday 14 June:
1000: Island-wide Cod Fish Breakfast on Front Street
1300: Sailing regatta with Bermuda fitted dinghies
1630: Captains’ Briefing
1800: Supper reception for Captains and dignitaries at the City Hall
Monday 15 June:
0700: Fleet undocking
1200: Parade of Sail along North Shore, past Fort St Catherine
1600: Start of Race 3 to Charleston
Bermuda Website: www.tallshipsbermuda.com
Charleston, SC, USA 25 – 29 June
Charleston is consistently ranked one of the best tourist destinations in the US and is known for its historic architecture, haute cuisine, art, and friendly people. The city can trace its heritage back to the early English colonists who laid out a series of broad, elegant boulevards with an array of grand colonial houses.
Charleston’s character has been shaped by its long-standing marriage to the sea and has been a critical hub of maritime trade and development in centuries past.
When the fleet arrives in Charleston, South Carolina dignitaries will be there to welcome them to the city. Ships will be prominently located where the Cooper and Ashley Rivers meet to form Charleston’s historic harbour. The genuine southern charm and hospitality will take hold, as Charleston welcomes captains, crew, cadets and government officials to a variety of events and activities.
Charleston has been an official ASTA port in 2000, 2004, and 2007 and the huge public enthusiasm and excitement for traditional sailing vessels has led the city to create an annual event which will coincide with Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 and is certain to attract a huge crowd to the waterfront.
Charleston also has its own sail training ship, the Spirit of South Carolina. Fashioned from the design of a working pilot schooner in Charleston from 1879 and made from live oak and long leaf yellow pine, the ship is devoted to education and launched on 4 March 2007. This vessel serves as a sail training platform for South Carolina youth.
Thursday 25 June:
1200: All vessels in port
1900: Captains’ Reception
Friday 26 June:
1000: Charleston Harbour Fest
tbc: Shoreside activities for trainees
tbc: Crew parade
tbc: Prize giving
Saturday 27 June:
1000: Charleston Harbour Fest
tbc: Crew Rally
Sunday 28 June:
1000: Captains’ Briefing
1000: Charleston Harbour Fest
Monday 29 June:
tbc: Undocking
tbc: Parade of Sail
tbc: Start of ASTA race to Boston
Charleston Website: www.charlestonharborfest.org
Boston, USA 8 – 13 July
Boston, the largest city in New England, successfully hosted the Tall Ships when they visited North America in 1992 and 2000. Boston’s role in shaping American history is unique among all other cities. It is where the Revolution was conceived and began. It is the site of the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill, The Old North Church and Paul Revere’s house. Boston has history on every corner.
Blending in with its old colonial charm is a wide array of diverse and interesting attractions for visitors. Museums, concert halls and nightclubs abound. The internationally acclaimed Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Science, and the John F. Kennedy Library are but a few. Boston’s cultural and entertainment options are bountiful.
Apart from its abundant historic sites, museums, cultural and educational facilities, Boston’s revitalised waterfront and downtown areas offer numerous opportunities for receiving and entertaining officers, crews and trainees. It is expected that the over five million visitors who viewed the Tall Ships in 2000 will be exceeded in the year 2009.
Tuesday 7 July:
1130: Opening ceremony and press conference
1600: Blessing of the Sails
Wednesday 8 July:
0900: Parade of Sail into Boston
1500: Sail Boston Festival
1500: Entertainment, cultural and educational activities for crews
2000: Salute Ball
Thursday 9 July:
1000: Sail Boston Festival
1200: Entertainment, cultural and educational activities for crews
1900: Captains’ Reception
Friday 10 July:
0800: Crew and cadet sports competition
1000: Sail Boston Festival
1000: Entertainment, cultural and educational activities for crews
1100: Crew and Cadet Street Parade
2000: Crew and Cadet Liberty Party
Saturday 11 July:
1000: Captains’ Briefing
1000: Sail Boston Festival
1000: Entertainment, cultural and educational activities for crews
1900: Tall Ships Gala
Sunday 12 July:
1000: Sail Boston Festival
1000: Entertainment, cultural and educational activities for crews
Monday 13 July:
0800: Ships depart in Cruise in Company to Halifax, Canada
Boston Website: www.sailboston.com
Halifax, Nova Scotia 16 – 20 July
Exciting. Eclectic. Romantic. Just some of the words which describe the Halifax waterfront and a city with so may historic places in its busy downtown area.
Halifax is the gateway to Atlantic Canada and has flourished as a prominent port situated on the world’s second largest natural harbour which today plays host to tall ships, port and cruise ship traffic from regional, national and international destinations.
Having hosted Tall Ships gatherings four times in more than two decades, Nova Scotia is no stranger to the hundreds of thousands of people who come to see the international display. There are few places in the world that provide a better backdrop for these majestic ships than Halifax harbour.
Ships from around the world will join many of Canada’s finest sailing vessels to form the international gathering of world-class Tall Ships in Halifax from 16 – 20 July 2009.
Cross the gangways of these majestic vessels and enjoy the view from the bow. Relax, have a bite to eat while listening to some of the finest entertainment in Nova Scotia. Bring your family and friends and plan your vacation now to experience Tall Ships Nova Scotia Festival 2009.
Halifax will surprise and delight you – come immerse yourself in a city renowned for its seafaring history and hospitality.
Thursday 16 July:
1200: All vessels in port
tbc: Crew party and awards
Friday 17 July:
tbc: Crew activities
tbc: Captains’ Dinner
Saturday 18 July:
tbc: Crew activities
1000: Crew Parade
1300: 250th Anniversary of the Founding of Royal Navy Dockyard Commemorative Ceremony
2100: Fireworks
Sunday 19 July:
1500: Captains’ Briefing
Monday 20 July:
tbc: Closing Ceremonies
1200: Parade of Sail
tbc: Race start of race 5 to Belfast, Northern Ireland
Halifax Website: www.tallshipsnovascotia.com
Belfast, Northern Ireland 13 – 16 August
Belfast Lough is situated at the mouth of the River Lagan on Northern Ireland’s east coast. This long, wide, deep expanse of water, is virtually free of strong tides, making it very popular for sailing. For racing sailors, this is a competitor’s dream, giving 30 square miles of open water. Belfast Docks at the head of the lough contains the famous shipbuilder of the RMS Titanic fame, Harland & Wolff. The Port of Belfast is Northern Ireland’s principle maritime gateway and is a busy port of call for both passenger and cargo vessels.
Belfast has a strong maritime heritage and relationship with Tall Ships, hosting the Tall Ships Race in 1991 and more recently holding successful Titanic and Maritime Festivals. The berthing area for the 2009 Race, located within 1km of the city centre, is in a peak of rapid investment and regeneration, and Belfast is being transformed into an attractive and sophisticated city offering activities for all ages and interests. Already established as a centre for cultural tourism, it is now one of Europe’s favourite city break destinations.
Thursday 13 August:
1200: All vessels in port
1200: Crew activities, tours and sports
1500: Opening Ceremony
1900: Captains’ Dinner
2100: Fireworks
Friday 14 August:
1000: Festival programme
1000: Crew activities, sports and tours
1800: Crew Parade
1900: Final prize giving, followed by crew party
2100: Fireworks
Saturday 15 August:
1000: Festival programme
1000: Crew activities, sports and tours
1500: Captains’ Briefing
1900: Ships Officers party
2100: Fireworks
Sunday 16 August:
1000: Festival programme
1200: Unberthing followed by Parade of Sail
