The Tall Ships' Race 2003

The gathering of the large sailing ships along the River Aura will be the greatest event in Turku this summer. The ships sailing from all corners of the world arrive in Turku and are open to visitors at the end of July.

The annual Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Races are a well-established concept among sailors all over the world. In the Baltic Sea, the race takes place every four years. The event is spectacular, and harbours rival to host the race.

The ships sail to Turku from the port of departure Gdynia in Poland, and from Turku they continue to Riga, the capital of Latvia. The port of arrival is Liibeck, the old Hanseatic town in Northern Germany. The leg between Turku and Riga is sailed Cruise-in-Company in other words, the ships are not racing.

In spite of its name, racing is not the issue of the event, but the opportunities offered to youth. For the thousands of young people serving as crews onboard the ships, the annual Tall Ships' Races provide an opportunity to work together and make contracts with other young people, regardless of their nationalities or backgrounds. Sailing together builds up solidarity and collaboration across the borders.

The nature of the event is best characterised by the fact, that on the basis of a vote by all participating ships, the silver Cutty Sark Trophy, the most important prize in the race, is awarded to the ship whose crew has best contributed to international understanding.

The Tall Ships' race is a spectacular maritime experience that offers everyone a lot to see.