The Tall Ships' Races fleet left Stockholm on July 30 in a grand Parade of Sail that was watched by thousands of people. The Swedish ships Gladan and Falken led the way with the Norwegian Statsraad Lehmkuhl leading the Class A ships past the ferry terminals and cruise liners and out towards the race start area.
Race Two of The Tall Ships' Races got underway at 1000 GMT yesterday on the outer limits of the Swedish archipelago with 90 Tall Ships crossing the start line to head to Szczecin in Poland. Winds were a brisk Force 5 with a blue sky providing first class conditions for the race start.
First across the line in Class A was Dar Mlodziezy (Poland) with Asgard II (Ireland) in second and Eendracht (Netherlands) in third. Cuauhtemoc (Mexico) and Shtandart (Russia) crossed the line before the official start time so will either be awarded standard time penalties or opt to complete a 360 degree turn when safe to do so.
Swedish Class B entries were obviously keen to get going as first across the line in their class was Deodar (Sweden) with Astrid Finne (Sweden) in second and Gratia (Sweden) in third.
The Class C vessels were also extremely keen to get going as a bunch of them crossed the line together with the smoke of the gun still in the air. First across the line was Akela (Russia) with Dar Szczecina (Poland) very close behind and Dar Natury (Poland) inches behind her. The Class D vessels also started in a bunch, each trying to get ahead of their competitors but Tomidi (Belgium) crossed the line out in front.
The first vessel report from 1600 GMT yesterday showed that Sedov (Russia) was in the lead on corrected time with Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway) in second place, Alexander von Humboldt (Germany) in third and Cuauhtemoc (Mexico) in fourth place overall on corrected time. Christian Radich (Norway) appeared to be taking a different route to the majority of the fleet by heading west around Gotland.
At 0500 GMT positions had changed with Alexander von Humboldt (Germany) in the lead overall on corrected time and in Class A. In second place overall is Kruzenshtern (Russia) with Europa (Netherlands) in third.
In Class B on corrected time, Swedish entries are in hot competition with Deodar (Sweden) in the lead, Gratitude (Sweden) in second and Gratia (Sweden) in third. Class C is currently being led by Andromeda (Denmark) with Jagiellonia (Poland) in second and Gaudeamus (Poland) in third.
Leading Class D on corrected time is Rona II (UK) with Hansa (Spain) in second and Better Than (USA) in third who is also leading on the water.
Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway) has retired from the race. Christian Radich (Norway) is the only Class A vessel going west of Gotland, together with a number of Class B, C and D vessels. Time will tell whether that tactic will pay off.
Winds are now south westerly Force 4/5 which is coming against them, which is more advantageous to the more modern Class C and D vessels.
Race Two of The Tall Ships' Races got underway at 1000 GMT yesterday on the outer limits of the Swedish archipelago with 90 Tall Ships crossing the start line to head to Szczecin in Poland. Winds were a brisk Force 5 with a blue sky providing first class conditions for the race start.
First across the line in Class A was Dar Mlodziezy (Poland) with Asgard II (Ireland) in second and Eendracht (Netherlands) in third. Cuauhtemoc (Mexico) and Shtandart (Russia) crossed the line before the official start time so will either be awarded standard time penalties or opt to complete a 360 degree turn when safe to do so.
Swedish Class B entries were obviously keen to get going as first across the line in their class was Deodar (Sweden) with Astrid Finne (Sweden) in second and Gratia (Sweden) in third.
The Class C vessels were also extremely keen to get going as a bunch of them crossed the line together with the smoke of the gun still in the air. First across the line was Akela (Russia) with Dar Szczecina (Poland) very close behind and Dar Natury (Poland) inches behind her. The Class D vessels also started in a bunch, each trying to get ahead of their competitors but Tomidi (Belgium) crossed the line out in front.
The first vessel report from 1600 GMT yesterday showed that Sedov (Russia) was in the lead on corrected time with Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway) in second place, Alexander von Humboldt (Germany) in third and Cuauhtemoc (Mexico) in fourth place overall on corrected time. Christian Radich (Norway) appeared to be taking a different route to the majority of the fleet by heading west around Gotland.
At 0500 GMT positions had changed with Alexander von Humboldt (Germany) in the lead overall on corrected time and in Class A. In second place overall is Kruzenshtern (Russia) with Europa (Netherlands) in third.
In Class B on corrected time, Swedish entries are in hot competition with Deodar (Sweden) in the lead, Gratitude (Sweden) in second and Gratia (Sweden) in third. Class C is currently being led by Andromeda (Denmark) with Jagiellonia (Poland) in second and Gaudeamus (Poland) in third.
Leading Class D on corrected time is Rona II (UK) with Hansa (Spain) in second and Better Than (USA) in third who is also leading on the water.
Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway) has retired from the race. Christian Radich (Norway) is the only Class A vessel going west of Gotland, together with a number of Class B, C and D vessels. Time will tell whether that tactic will pay off.
Winds are now south westerly Force 4/5 which is coming against them, which is more advantageous to the more modern Class C and D vessels.