The Tall Ships' Race
Tags: tall ship's race marseille toulon libertypresse maritime stad amsterdam ecuadorian navy masted boats
Length: 3:14
Description: The annual Tall Ship's Race brings together the world's biggest and most beautiful sailing ships -- and, with some of the fleet measuring more than 300 feet in length, it's an impressive sight.
For the past month, nearly forty Tall Ships have been racing across the Mediterranean, from Alicante in Spain to Genoa in Italy, a distance of 750 miles. There are 2000 sailors taking part -- of which half are young recruits, cadets or volunteers, aged between 17 and 25.
Representing more than 15 nationalities, they all share one passion : the desire to test themselves against the sea and the elements.
Libertypresse's team boards one of the vessels, the Dutch clipper Stad Amsterdam, as she pulls into her penultimate port, Toulon, for a four-day long stopover. The atmosphere aboard is festive as the young crew celebrate their safe passage.
Aboard the Equadorian military-training ship Guayas, however, the atmosphere is somewhat different. These ships can cost up to 10,000 dollars a day to run, so they often often owned by governments and the military. The Guayas' commander, Captain Game, explains how this cost is justified.
Toulon splashed out 1 million euros for the honour of hosting the event, and that decision is vindicated as tourists and locals turn out in force.
For Race Director Peter Newell, however, money and prestige are not priorities. For him, it's above about allowing young people to experience a different life -- and promote international relations.
Author: Libertypresse
Source: YouTube
