Tall Ships festival sees Cornish teenagers race to Spain

 

A crew of 14 young "venturers" from Cornwall will sail out of Falmouth on 18 August to steer Tall Ship Maybe to A Coruna in the first leg of the Tall Ships Races Magellan Elcano 2023.

The Race is the culmination of a four-day Festival in the historic Harbour which will see the world's magnificent Tall Ships showcased in Falmouth for the first time in nine years from August 15th -18th

The largest Class A ships will be open to the public at Falmouth Docks from the Tuesday to Thursday afternoons, followed by the spectacular Parade of Sail on Friday 18th when Class A B C & D ships, surrounded by a flotilla of hundreds of local well-wishers, head from Falmouth Harbour and across the Bay to the start of the race to Spain and Portugal.

Team Maybe has been organised by sailing charity Roseland Youth Sailing Trust (RYST), with places aboard and return travel sponsored by local organisations, so the trip will be completely free for the lucky venturers.

Everyone in Team Maybe 2023 is looking forward to adventure and the challenges presented by sailing a classic 24-metre gaff-rigged ketch the 430-odd sea miles to Spain. Maybe took part in the first ever International Tall Ships Race in 1956 and 67 years later is one of the few original boats still competing in the International Tall Ship Races.

RYST chairman Dina Wheatcroft says, "The aim is to build young people's confidence at the start of their adult lives, enabling them to learn new skills and new things about themselves. A huge thank you to our sponsors for funding another voyage we hope will be of enduring benefit."

Launched in 2015, Roseland Youth Sailing Trust's mission is to change young lives through sailing. The only resource available to schools in the wider Roseland and Clay Country areas, the Trust organises and funds sailing lessons by professional instructors at RYA-approved centres, helping children get RYA sailing qualifications.

For more about the work of the Roseland Youth Sailing Trust and Team Maybe visit www.ryst.org.uk/category/tall-ship-maybe-2023

The 2023 Tall Ships Festival takes place in Falmouth from Tuesday August 15 to Friday August 18 with full details of the event, the ships and ticket bookings at www.falmouth.co.uk/tallships