Information Bulletin
Shetland attends Conference in preparation for Tall Ships Races-2011
Representatives from Shetland attended a meeting of all 5 host Ports for the 2011 Tall Ships Races on Saturday 17 November. The meeting took place at the Sail Training International Annual Conference in Liverpool. Delegates from the ports of Waterford, Greenock, Stavanger and Cuxhaven attended with Lerwick, which was represented by both Lerwick Port Authority and Shetland Islands Council. The meeting was chaired by Mr Knut Western who has to ensure that Sail Training International standards are met by all the host Ports.
While 2011 is some time away, it is very important that the 5 Ports begin the detailed planning of the event as early as possible. Subjects discussed included: the preparation of promotional material; possible dates for the Races to suit tidal constraints that exist in some Ports; the formation of organising committees in each Port; attracting a large number of sail trainees from the ports and regions on the route; the need to seek corporate sponsorship to help with the range of activities that are necessary; and, perhaps most importantly, to engage with the local communities in each location. All of the Ports will be forming organising committees early in 2008. For Shetland this will mean identifying co-ordinators for each of the key activities that will make up the whole event. Shetland Islands Council will discuss this subject in the near future. In the meantime work will begin to prepare a website where people can find information on Tall Ships Races 2011 at Lerwick.
Following the meeting in Liverpool Mr Western declared that he was very pleased with the progress that had been made and was particularly impressed with the manner in which the 5 Ports would work together to share some of the early duties.
Speaking on behalf of Shetland Islands Council, Douglas Irvine said “the early discussion on so many different aspects of the Races has proven to be very useful for the Shetland delegation. A great deal of work needs to be done in Shetland before 2011 so it was very encouraging to see that a strong support group is in place to help us. The mood of the meeting was one of confidence that the Tall Ships Races 2011 could be organised to the exacting standards expected by Sail Training International.”
Sandra Laurenson of Lerwick Port Authority said “The experience of previously hosting the Tall Ships Races in 1999 will be useful but there are new challenges to be met by the host ports for 2011. We look forward to the organising committee being formed as soon as possible.”
“It was also good to meet up with old friends and new at the Conference. The 2008 Race series is looking fantastic, starting in Liverpool with a Race to Måløy and then a cruise to Bergen in Norway. Our twinned community in Norway is doing an exceptional job.”
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