Bark Europa - Tall Ships Race 2012 - Leg 1 - St Malo to Lisbon

Join the Bark Europa as she joins the Tall Ship gathering at St Malo at the start of the 2012 Tall Ships Race. To get here, she has sailed from South America, via Antarctica and Cape Horn to Cape Town, the Acension Island and the Azores!

The Tall Ships Races are an annual event in European waters where a spectacular collection of vessels gather for several weeks of exciting racing and festivals. Each host port organises a programme of social, sports and cultural events, a crew parade through the streets and other activities which enable the crews from more than 30 countries to meet and visit each other's ships. The Races are very popular with spectators and regularly attract up to a million visitors in each host port.

From St Malo, France the Bark Europa will join others at the start line and head to Lisbon, Portugal. It will be all hands on deck to make the vessel sail as hard as possible.

Sail Europa - the square rigger that likes to really sail

Bark Europa wanders the worlds oceans making good use of the trade winds. To join the tall ships in St Malo she has sailed from South America via Antarctica to Cape Town and North via St Helena, Ascension and the Azores. In 2010 she raced around Cape Horn with 9 other square riggers and in 2009 she took part in the North Atlantic Challenge Tall Ships Race, coming first overall in the full series of race legs, as well as an award for the most nationalities on board.

This Dutch run ship has a reputation for sailing almost upto the dock without reverting to engines, and she can set over 30 sails. Her main and foremast carry Course, Lower Topsail, Upper topsail, T'gallant, royal and sometimes a skysail. She has extra booms to fly stun'sails in light wind conditions or racing.

The working language is English, but the style is very Dutch -  relaxed and informal...but they aim to win.

Why Participate in a Tall Ships Race ?

It is not often you get to sail a three masted sailing ship to its full potential through the day and night, and Bark Europa carries more sail than most. The thrill of seeing a large Russian tall ship chasing you at dawn, or a fleet of tall ships sailing down between the Western Isles is something that few people experience in a lifetime. Spectactors on the shore will never sit on the royal yard and look down at acres of sail and the sea rushing down the side of the ship as 300 tons of hull lifts and surges through the seas.

There will be scarey moments and you will get to know your crewmates better in a few days tall ships race than many friends you have known for years. Tall ship sailors are a rare breed and its a very small worldwide community you are joining. It can lead to a lifetime of adventures (it did for me).

These events are also a photographers dream and this year the host ports are fairly intimate places with a very strong maritime heritage.

Not Just for Youth - Adult Berths are like Gold Dust.

This is the ultimate youth summer event if you want to meet 16-25 year old sailors from countries around the world, but there are also adult berths for those that can stand the pace (actually the adults often set the pace !). Each ship must be crewed by at least 50% young crews under 25 so adult berths are limited so don't leave it too late.

St Malo

Due to its eventful past as a buccaneering town (Cité Corsaire), Saint-Malo is forever associated with the literature and romance of the sea. Chateaubriand, Lamennais, Jacques Cartier, Surcouf, Duguay-Trouin: the exploits of these famous former citizens have left an enduring mark on the memory and temperament of those you will meet there today.

This is the atmosphere that grips you as you enter the gates of the inner town.  Over Saint-Malo blows a breath of adventure, a breeze of poetry, and invigorating gusts of wind from the sea.  The ramparts that have watched over the picturesque streets and shops for centuries are there as a reminder of the town's glorious past.  Wherever you are, your eyes are drawn to the indescribable emerald blue of the sea.  You can take a break on the vast expanse of sand on the Sillon beach; take a brisk walk around the ramparts and breathe in the tangy, salt laden air; or take a trip on an old sailing vessel - Saint-Malo, romantic, magical, but never defeated, has a way of seducing all its visitors.

The imposing shadows of the great seafarers' ships on the wall of the old town are much more than a souvenir:  Saint-Malo is a regular host to The Tall Ships Races when the vessels bring back to the harbour the town's maritime heritage.

This is more than a voyage into the past, it is also a voyage into the future.  The ships welcome on board young trainees who have to face the challenges of a lifetime on board in the open seas and, in the process, learn resilence, life in close community, friendship, mutual help and all life competencies that will turn them into caring adults, respectful of the differences between people.

Lisbon

Lisbon's history has always been tied to the sea.  In 1500, it was the centre for the Portuguese Navigations and it was sailing down the Tagus river that Portugal's brave navigators went out to sea to discover the world.

In 1956 the city welcomed The Tall Ships Races for the very first event and became part of the huge celebration of youth and sail training that has lasted year after year.  The amazing fleet returned to Lisbon in 1982, 1992, 1998 and 2006 and this experienced port is looking forward to welcoming the Tall Ships back again in 2012!

From the 19th to the 22nd July, the Tall Ships fleet will be moored right next to the old part of the city providing a unique and magnificent experience.  A daily entertainment programme is being planned and the entire city is committed to making this event an unforgettable experience for Captains, crews and visitors. The ships are open for visitors, corporate events, general public and the press. No sailing is done during this time.