Mariners’ fairytale has more wind in its sails

IT reads like a mariner’s fantasy tale - 100 of the most imposing and breathtaking tall ships in the world setting sail from a 12-mile stretch of coastline to race each other across the Irish Sea, the English Channel and the North Sea.

Yesterday in Waterford organisers of the Tall Ships Race 2005 confirmed that preparations for the event are at an advanced stage and promised to deliver a sailing spectacle never before seen in the South East.

Up to 250,000 people are expected to visit the city for the four-day event next July, the highlight of which will be the Parade of Sail when between 80 and 100 tall ships will sail down the River Suir estuary in formation to the starting line, five miles off Brownstone head.

Chairperson of the organising committee Nicky Fewer said the event could reap a tourism boost worth up to €20 million to the region.

“It’s going to be a fantastic spectacle, something never seen before in Waterford,” he said.

“The economic benefit will be substantial if we get the numbers expected - it will be an unprecedented opportunity for the South East and all the villages along the estuary in terms of tourism exposure.”

To date 14 of the tallest ships in the world - class As - have been confirmed for the race including the 295-foot US vessel ‘Eagle’ and the 300-foot Russian ship ‘Mir’.

Along with 80 to 100 other vessels, the ships will line the Waterford estuary with miles of sail and rigging as well as colourful crew that includes cadets from the US coast guard academy and crews from the Netherlands, Poland, Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia and Ireland.

“The American cadets will bring a lot of colour and pomp at the crew parade and we also hope to confirm a vessel from South America with a crew from Brazil,” Mr Fewer said.

Event manager Olivia O’Reilly said details of the shore-based festival to accompany the Tall Ships Race will be announced later this month.

“There will be a number of music acts performing in the city as well as indoor events in the pubs and venues throughout the area,” she said.

A trainee programme has been set up in conjunction with local credit unions inviting young people aged 16 to 25 years to become a crew member for the first leg of the race from Waterford to Cherbourg-Octeville in France. The ships then race to England and then Norway.