A fleet of spectacular Tall ships has sailed into Ipswich Waterfront as part of their race around the North Sea.
A flotilla of 21 classic sailing ships from the Netherlands have made their way into the Wet Dock at the Port of Ipswich as part of the biggest student sailing competition in Europe.
Visitors are invited to watch “The Race of the Classics,” celebrating the history of the vessels at the Orwell Quay in the heart of Ipswich.
Vessels started arriving on Tuesday morning, and were joined by more during the afternoon before heading off back to the continent on Wednesday.
This event has been running since 1989 and has been a regular visitor to the port and Ipswich Haven Marina.
Weather, tides and the crews ultimately chart the course which starts in Rotterdam and finishes in Amsterdam.
This year the fleet of vessels is crewed by around 500 European students.
Most of the vessels are crewed by students from individual universities or colleges – but the largest, the Artemis, has a crew called “Team Zeilers (Sailors)” made up of experienced young sailing enthusiasts from across the Netherlands. The crews took the opportunity to explore the town
Annemiek Wilschut, from the team, said it was her third race – but the first time she had crossed the North Sea to England.
“It is a very good event and gives us the chance to come here and see somewhere different. It was a bit misty, a bit foggy overnight and we had to watch out for other vessels but it’s good to take part in this.”
Paul Ager, divisional manager East Anglia for Associated British Ports, said: “The continued choice of Ipswich as a destination by such a prestigious event in the European sailing calendar further enhances the reputation of the port and town of Ipswich as a magnet for the European sailing community and as a yacht and marina destination.
“It underlines the appeal of the facilities both at the marina, which has five gold anchors, and of the wider port, which is the product of an extensive and ongoing programme of investment by ABP to keep us at the forefront of the industry.
“It is also a fantastic chance for the crews to visit the port and town on a journey of adventure, seafaring and teamwork.”
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