Time running out in hunt for Tall Ships sponsor

TIME is running out for the organisers of the Tall Ships Race 2005 to secure a major sponsor for the event, the first of its kind to be hosted in Waterford.

With just seven months to go until the major international sailing event begins, organisers are disappointed with the lack of national support for the race, which is due to depart from the city’s port on July 9.

“We don’t seem to be able to attract the level of funding we need,” Nicky Fewer, chairman of the organising team said.

“We feel there’s an issue about awareness - a wake-up call needs to be sent out that we will have a captive audience of almost 250,000 people,” he said.

Already 20 of the largest tall ships in the world and 40 other vessels have registered for the race.

The four-day event is expected to cost €1.9 million to stage. Local businesses have committed €300,000 but no one has put forward the €150,000 anchor sponsorship. This leaves organisers with a current budget deficit of almost €600,000.