On August 29, 2007, Lenexpo embankment saw the solemn ceremony marking the start of the activities to prepare St. Petersburg as a host port for The Tall Ships' Races 2009» (TSR). As Yulia Shukaryova, press secretary of Yuri Molchanov, St. Petersburg vice-governor, informed, in July 2009 St. Petersburg will host one of the stages of TSR to be held in the Baltic Sea.
The Organization Committee in charge of TSR hosting and the members of the Marine Council under St. Petersburg Government greeted the Akela and the Bylina yachts, which participated in THE TALL SHIPS RACES 2007. Among the ceremony participants there also were yachts of St. Petersburg Sailing Union.
Entry to THE TALL SHIPS’RACES is open to any monohull sailing vessel of more than 9.14m waterline length, provided that at least 50 percent of the crew are aged between 15 and 25 years and that the vessel meets Sail Training International's safety equipment requirements. There are many economic, social and community-oriented reasons why a port may bid to become a Host Port for The Tall Ships’ Races. Traditionally, huge crowds (from many hundreds of thousands to well over a million) visit a port during the four days of the event, bringing welcome income to the port, city and local businesses, plenty of national and international media attention, and a range of opportunities for community involvement and enjoyment.
Detailed information see at www.sailtraininginternational.org
TSR is organized by Tall Ships International Ltd, part of Sail Training International – a registered charity (not for profit organisation) with worldwide membership and activities. Our purpose is the development and education of young people of all nationalities, cultures, religions and social backgrounds through the sail training experience. This year the organization has been nominated for the Nobel Prize. Members of Sail Training International are the national sail training organisations of Australia, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, UK and USA.
In 2007, TSR was held in both the Mediterranean and in the Baltic Sea. Two very different ships have won the coveted Sail Training International Friendship Trophy this year. In The Tall Ships' Races Mediterranea it was Guayas of Ecuador which won the Trophy, while in The Tall Ships' Races Baltic it was Lord Nelson of the UK.
The Friendship Trophy is awarded to a ship following a secret ballot in which captains and crews vote for the ship and crew that they believe has done the most to further international friendship and understanding - the main ethos of the event. Russian ships participated in the Baltic stage of the competition. During the TSR the crews of Russian yachts Akela, Bylina, Flora, Peter I and frigate Shtandart actively promoted the idea of St. Petersburg stage of TSR-2009. The invited foreign colleagues, representatives of education and sea training centers of the hosting ports as well as general public to visit St. Petersburg in July 2009.
The rout of TSR-2007 Baltic:
Orhus, Danmark, July 5-8
Kotka, Finland, July 18-21
Stockholm, Sweden, July 27-30
Szczecin, Poland, August 4-7
In 2007, Akela won the 4th place (last year it was the 1st), Bylina – 8th among 16 yachts of its class, Peter I – 9th, Flora – 14th in corresponding groups. Shtandart was the 14th. Besides, it was awarded the prize for considerable contribution into development of international sailing.
Upon finalization of TSR-2007 in the Polish port of Szczecin, Bylina, Flora and Peter I participated in the activities within the framework of a traditional marine festival HANSE SAIL in Rostock (Germany). It was attended by over 200 yachts from different European countries.
Detailed information see at www.hansesail.com www.balticsail.info.
The route of TSR-2009:
Gdynia, Poland Thu 2 July - Sun 5 July
St Petersburg, Russia Sat 11 July - Tue 14 July
Turku, Finland Thu 23 July - Sun 26 July
Klaipeda, Lithuania ri 31 July - Mon 3 August
On March 2, 2007 Valentina Matvienko, St. Petersburg Governor, signed a contract on hosting TSR-2009 in St. Petersburg. The corresponding Decree of St. Petersburg Government will be signed in 2007. Organization Committee is headed by St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matvienko. Port committee for operative management of preparatory activities is currently being formed. It is to be headed by Nikolai Asaul, Chairman of St. Petersburg Transport-and-Transit Policy Committee.
According to preliminary estimations, St. Petersburg stage of TSR-2009 is to cost some $1.5 – 2 million. Considerable part of the costs is to be covered by the city budget, about 40% is to be invested by private investors. Income of tourism infrastructure may total EUR 10-20 million. North-Western Shipping Company OJSC and Sovcomflot OJSC expressed their willingness to finance preparatory and hosting activities of TSR-2009 St. Petersburg stage.