T/S Rupel wins in Tall Ships Races

Two Belgian boats were entered – Rupel and Saeftinghe – competing in Class B and Class C respectively. Arriving in Seczecin (Poland), the T/S Rupel captured first place Overall Class B Race Series.

The Tall Ships Races have been sailed annually for over 60 years – is aimed at young people (16-25 years) – and are held in European waters during the summer months. This year it took place in the Baltic Sea; it was 2017 that the Tall Ships called at this region the last time. The current event consisted of three races and two cruises in company.
The meeting and departure point was on Thursday 27 June 2024 in Klaipeda – Lithuania. A first race headed for Finland with destination Helsinki. A total of six ports will be visited in different countries.
After Helsinki, a cruise in company will follow to Tallin in Estonia. Then a race back to Turku in Finland. Turku is located on the Aura River and used to be the capital of Finland.
The cruise in company from Turku to Mariehamm in the Åland Islands is navigating between the many islands.
From Mariehamm, it is then a long race to Poland to the final point Szczecin. Arrival there was on 2 August 2024.

Four podium finishes for TS Rupel

Last winter, the ship had to undergo urgent major maintenance. A lot of repairs were carried out and it even looked like they would not be able to sail during the summer. But the many volunteers worked for hours and one was finally finished in the middle of June. Now it was just a matter of cleaning, checking the engine, shopping and bringing back on board all the equipment that had to be taken off for the works. They were supposed to leave on 17 June but a failing starter motor meant this had to be done a day later (Murphy).
The arrival in Klaipeda already gave an immediate reward with the ‘Best Dressed Ship in Port’.
With the Race-1 to Helsinki, they captured 4th place in their Class B and received the ‘Communication Award Race One’.
In Race-2 from Tallinn to Turku, they did even better: 3rd place in Race-2.
In Race-3 from Mariehamm to Szczecin, they had to settle for 6th place but all races together resulted in first place: 1st Overall Class B Race Series.
Once the festivities in Poland are over and all ships will leave port, the T/S Rupel will set sail for Ostende where it is expected after mid-August.

Read this article at the source: the website of Water Heritage Flanders (Flemish).

Image: Water Heritage Flanders.

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