More majestic ships are confirmed for Sunderland's Tall Ships Races leg

Majestic ships are continuing to sign up to grace Sunderland with their presence next year.
STS Lord Nelson sailing training ship.STS Lord Nelson sailing training ship.
STS Lord Nelson sailing training ship.

Official registration is now open for The Tall Ships Races 2018, which includes Sunderland hosting the first leg.

The city will welcome the beautiful Class A vessel Sorlandet – built in Kristiansand, Norway in 1927, and is the oldest full-rigged ship in operation in the world.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sorlandet takes on 70 trainees for each voyage and no previous sailing experience is needed to join in with the thrill of an on-board adventure.

Another ship to officially confirm its attendance is the UK-based Sail Training Ship Lord Nelson.

She is also a Class A vessel and one of only two of its type in the world along with her sister ship Tenacious.

She has been designed and built to be fully accessible for people with disabilities or impairments, including wheelchair users.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Others to sign up include the Black Diamond of Durham, the Bulgarian ship STV Royal Helena, the TS Maybe, and STS Atyla.

A fleet of 80 vessels is expected to arrive into Port of Sunderland for the leg from Wednesday July 11, until Saturday, July 14, 2018. They will stay for a four-day festival before taking part in a spectacular parade of sail at the start of the first race of the series to Esbjerg.

About 1.5million visitors are expected to be attracted to the city for the spectacle.

Just last month representatives of race organisers Sail Training International carried out their first inspection visit to Sunderland.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Race director Paul Bishop said that the city was “certainly on track” and he was “very impressed with how they are doing”.

As well as getting a chance to view the ships, a programme of entertainment and cultural activity will be held across Wearside during the races from Port of Sunderland to the North banks of the River Wear.

Sporting activities on the beach are also being lined-up, as well as spectacular viewing points for the thousands of spectators as the ships arrive and depart.