SAIL TRAINING Close quarters at start of Tall Ships race from Bermuda produce near catastrophe. Here Argentina's Libertad scrapes by Spain's Juan Sebastian de Elcano. Photo courtesy The Bermudian.
with the latter losing her foretopmast as a result. The subsequent protest hearing at Newport cleared Juan Sebastian and disqualified Libertad, she being both to windward and overtaking. (All sail training races are sailed under the International Rules of the road, not racing rules.) The second collision was among Gaze/a Primeiro, Mircea, and Erawan. As this matter awaits adjudication in the courts, comment here would not be appropriate. In spite of these mishaps, the start off St. David's Head was a most glorious sight; clear skies, 12-15 knots Southwest wind, and a fleet of majestic sailing ships whose like has not been seen in the Western Hemisphere for perhaps one hundred and fifty years. Sadly, the breeze died away to nothing on the second day, and for three days the ships, large and small, sat, as the poet wrote, like " ... painted ship(s) upon a painted ocean". Swimming parties and intership visits were frequent, with an afternoon's exchange of cadets between Kruzenshtern and Eagle taking place. Finally, on Thursday morning 24 June, came the decision from the Race Committee in Newport; the time limit for the Race was moved up to 1800 24 June. This meant that ships of Class A would take their positions as of 1800 that evening, and then proceed under power to Newport. Class B entrants, many of whom were far ahead of the larger and slower Class A's, were permitted to finish in accordance with the original racing instructions.
Determination based upon the 1800 positions made Gorch Fock the winner of Class A. The great sailing yacht Ticonderoga, which at one time or another has held virtually every record for major ocean races, was winner in Class B 1 and Overall Fleet winner in Class B. Sabre, the entry of the Royal Artillery Yacht Club won Class B 2. Coastwise Race The 310-mile Coastwise Race was organized so that U.S. registered vessels who were not licensed to go to Bermuda, but who frequently work with
trainees, might be able to participate in the In-Shore Regatta and "Tall Ships '76". This race was specifically for ships such as Bill of Rights, Brilliant, and Harvey Gamage, fast American schooners restricted by Coast Guard regulations to within a 20- or 100-mile limit. There were seven entries in the Coastwise Race, with Brilliant being the only one to finish. All other entries withdrew; a combination of fog and calm made drifting around on soundings a dangerous situation. In all, the ST A/ AST A Races were a tremendous success in terms of their two major purposes: promoting sail training as an educational and character-building experience for young people, and bringing the youth of many nations together to foster international goodwill and understanding. The Races served the additional purpose this year of bringing the ships to the United States in order to subsequently take part in "Operation Sail '76", the Bicentennial celebration which brought so much pleasure to millions of people. Complete race results available on request from A STA. .V
NEW YORK PHILADELPHIA NORFOLK 21