TALL SHIPS 2009 WAS A GREAT SUCCESS!

From June 11 - 15, 2009, the Tall Ships were in Hamilton to help celebrate Bermuda's 400 years of permanent settlement.  This was a truly unique and memorable event.

The "Atlantic Challenge 2009" began from Vigo, Spain and ended in Belfast, Northern Ireland - a true race around the Atlantic and the first since 2000.  Each port hosted the fleet, with various festivals and activities at every stop along the route.

Click on the map for a larger view

Of special importance is the placement of Bermuda's youth onboard different ships for different legs of the race, as Trainees.  This is the chance of a lifetime for any young person - something they will remember, and cherish, forever.  In 2010, there will be four different races in Europe and one in the Great Lakes, to choose from.  Click here to read a few testimonials from previous Trainees.

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Click here to view a short video clip from Tall Ships 2000

Please click the pictures below for special messages:

Click Here for a message from Her Majesty, The Queen

3 March 2009 - GOVERNMENT HOUSE, BERMUDA.  Sail Training International officials Paul Bishop and Andrew McCall meet Bermuda’s Governor, Sir Richard Gozney.  Mr. Bishop, Head of Race Directorate and Mr. McCall, Project Coordinator for the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 (TSAC 2009) were in Bermuda for a final port inspection prior to the race start in Vigo, Spain on 3 May 2009. Bermuda is the third port of call in the seven port international race.  The STI officials were hosted in Bermuda by Tall Ships Bermuda.  Pictured are John Wadson, Chair of Tall Ships Bermuda and Sail Training Bermuda; Beverley Morfitt, Director of Media/PR (Bermuda) TSAC 2009; and Paulina Northover Brooks, Bermuda Project Coordinator, TSAC 2009.

Tall Ships Bermuda loses a Dear Friend

Tall Ships Bermuda would like to extend heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of our dear friend, the late Harry Wilken, who passed away suddenly on 24 January 2009.  Harry was a founding member of STA-BDA and supported sail training in Bermuda for the last 15 years.  He was instrumental in Bermuda’s successful participation in the Tall Ships 2000 Race of the Century and the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009.  All of us at Tall Ships Bermuda will greatly miss the wit, charm, dedication and passion that Harry brought to sail training and to his professional and private life in Bermuda.

We now have a variety of Tall Ships Bermuda 2009 merchandise available for purchase.  Check out the Merchandise Page for further info.

Early September 2008, Bermuda Tall Ships representatives, John Wadson and Paulina Brooks, attended a Military Attache reception in Washington D.C., held by ASTA, in an effort to encourage additional ships to participate in the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009.

(l-r:  Mrs. O'Grady, Cmd. Matt O'Grady, John Wadson, Paulina Brooks, William Pinkney - Captain of the ship, Amistad)

Bermuda's Tall Ships Festival and it's participation in the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 earned top accolades at the International Sail Training and Tall Ships Conference in Istanbul, Turkey.

Nigel Rowe (3rd from left) President and Chairman STI, presenting the Robin Duschesne Memorial Trophy to
 Tall Ships Bermuda Chairman John Wadson (2nd from left); Tall Ships Bermuda Project Director Paulina Brooks
and Tall Ships Bermuda Director Media and PR, Beverley Morfitt.
 

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