#tallships – Another great day for The Tall Ships Races 2012 and Dubliner sailor Holly Byrne Scoops prestigious Award ahead of 7,000 international sail trainees
More than 200,000 people arrived in Dublin city yesterday as it came alive with a spectacular festival to herald the arrival of 40 splendid Tall Ships to the capital as the Tall Ships Races 2012 commenced.
Day two saw the Tall Ship's Crew Parade take place along the North side of the Quays with thousands of people gathering to see 1,800 crew members from 15 countries around the world parading up the quays to the Custom House where an international sailing award ceremony took place. A total of 28 awards were presented with the most anticipated awards being; The Torbay Cup, The Sail Training International Friendship Cup and the winning ship of the overall Tall Ships Race 2012. (for full list see grid in notes)
Dubliner Holly Byrne won the prestigious Sail Training International Torbay Cup, beating off stiff competition from 7,000 traineesover 30 countries around the world.
The Torbay Cup
The Torbay Cup was established by Torbay, UK (the first port to host a Tall Ships Race) and is presented to a trainee for outstanding individualachievement and personal effort. Holly was nominated by her captain on the Stavros S. Niarchos, Liam Kelly (Irish) for her extraordinary effort. Holly was a trainee on the Asguard II 4 years ago and has overcome the experience of the ship sinking to board the Stavros and share her story with the crew. Every Captain from each ship on the various legs of The Tall Ships Races 2012 was invited to nominate a trainee who has taken part in The Tall Ships Races 2012, Holly was chosen as the overall winner by theinternational judging panel.
The Sail Training International Friendship Trophy
St IV won the principal award at the end of each race series, the Sail Training International Friendship Trophy. This trophy epitomises the objective of the races and is awarded to the vessel which, in the opinion of the entire racefleet through a secret ballot, has done most to help further international understanding and friendship during the races.
The Fryderyk Chopin won the overall Tall Ships Races based on corrected times.
The TallShips Races 2012-Dublin which will run until Sunday afternoon will see The Minutes, Ryan Sheridan, Ash and Mark Geary take to the stage at the Bulmers Live Music Dock today while Hanover Quay will be awash with skateboarding, BMX stunts, street art and parkour as the adrenaline-fulled Kings of Concrete kicked off. Grand Canal Square will offer an epic adventure for all the family with an instant sea orchestra, comedy acrobatics, a wooden family games area, underwater themed interactive installations and music. The Waterways Ireland Visitor centre played host to puppet shows, model boat building workshops and a duck race. Grand Canal Dock hosted and incredible water experience. Well-known Dublin author Peter Sheridan will host a reading at Festival Hub at CHQ and Turtle Bunbury hosted a reading on the MV Cadhla Barge. When dusk settled on the city the floating cinema commenced and an animated historical tour of the city took place.
Class prizes for the race from La Coruna to Dublin donated by the host ports of Saint-Malo, Lisbon, Cadiz, La Coruna and Dublin.
