Tall Ships Race gets under way

Mark Pawlak    sailingbreaks     Sailing, sailing holiday, Yachting

The 2011 Waterford Tall Ships Race has got under way, with the 45 vessels taking part as the flotilla left the Irish port.

Crowds gathered to cheer the majestic ships on as they sailed out of the quays and along the River Suir after assembling off Dunmore East for the Parade of Sail.

The gruelling race – one of the premier sailing events in the calendar – saw the vessels head around the west coast of Ireland to Greenock in Scotland.

However, the sailors were forced to head along the Celtic Sea as bad weather descended on the race – of which Russian ship Mir emerged an early leader.

Once the vessels begin arriving in Greenock they will embark upon a cruise to Lerwick in Shetland.

The second stage of the event will see the vessels race to Halmstad in Sweden.

Among the vessels docked on the north quays was past winner Sorlandet – a Norwegian ship built in 1927.

About the author

Mark Pawlak wrote 194 articles on this blog.

Editor at Adventure Sports Holidays, Mark's love affair with travel and the challenges of adventure sports continues... "You could save all year for a two-week, all-inclusive, doss by the pool, booze and buffet binge. Or, with a little planning and some good equipment, get off your arse and plan an adventure!"

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