Special races

The Tomidi Tall Ships Races 2010

Antwerp, Belgium, Sat 10 July - Tue 13 July

Race 1

Aalborg, Denmark, Wed 21 July - Sat 24 July

Cruise in Company

Kristiansand, Norway, Thu 29 July - Sun 1 Aug

Race 2

Hartlepool, UK, Sat 7 Aug - Tue 10 Aug

The Tall Ships Races 2010 overview

The Tall Ships Races 2010 will visit four ports in Belgium, Denmark, Norway and the UK crossing the North Sea with all the challenges associated with such a busy shipping area, while also enjoying the fjords and archipelagos of Denmark and Norway. From 10 July through to 10 August the fleet will enjoy the usual mix of cultural visits, sports, friendly competition and international friendship.

The fleet will gather in Antwerp, an experienced host port that last hosted the fleet in 2006. The crews are always ensured an enjoyable visit to this exciting and interesting city and centre of the diamond industry. The fleet will be berthed along the River Scheldt close to the town centre from 10-13 July before making their way out to an area north-west of Zeebrugge for the race start on 14 July. The fleet will then race to Aalborg, with a waypoint inserted to ensure they keep clear of the complex traffic separation schemes.

It's a continues feast!

The finish line off Skagen Lighthouse some 50 miles from Aalborg will allow early finishers the opportunity of visiting other ports en route and enjoying the 15 miles of Limfjord as they make their way to Aalborg. Another experienced host port, Aalborg is certain to offer the crews an entertaining and warm welcome with plenty of sports and cultural visits to keep them busy.

From Aalborg a cruise in company will take the fleet the short journey to Kristiansand in Norway. The fleet will have five days to enjoy visits to a couple of ports along the exceptional archipelagos with a number of ports in Denmark and Norway offering a variety of activities to the visiting crews. Sailing through this area between Denmark and Norway offers some exceptional scenery and unique sailing.

Dare to take part in it?!

On arrival in Kristiansand, the home of Tall Ship Sørlandet but a newcomer to hosting The Tall Ships Races, crews will enjoy a modern harbour close to the centre of the town. The whole harbour area is to be made into a huge park completely open to the public, ensuring a warm and friendly event with a wealth of activities available to the crews.

The final race will take the fleet west across the North Sea to Hartlepool in the UK. Once again the crews will have to contend with the traffic separation zones and oil rigs. A number of different courses will be drafted with the final decision being made depending on the weather conditions.

The final port of Hartlepool is again a newcomer to hosting The Tall Ships Races although made a fine job of welcoming ships during the cruise in company in 2005 and the energy and commitment of the people of Hartlepool is sure to mean the crews enjoy an entertaining and action filled visit.