How the races came into being and their objectives

In 1955 a London solicitor, Bernard Morgan, had the idea of organising a race to bring together the last of the world's great square-rigged ships. He obtained the support of Earl Mountbatten and together with influential people in the sailing world an organising committee was formed and went to work. The result was a spectacular race from Torbay to Lisbon in 1956 which caught the imagination not only of the public but also of the media who coined the phrase "Tall Ships' Race". It was judged to be such a success that the Committee drew up articles of association and formed the Sail Training Association (STA) in order that the Races could be put on a permanent footing.

"To enable young people of all nations to race together at sea and under sail"

The original plan was to run a Race every second year, but, it has proved so popular that today at least one Race takes place each year. In 1996 the Baltic series attracted 135 vessels from 19 different countires and the concurrent series in the Mediterranean 46 from 11. It is estimated that over seven thousand young people were involved. The aim of the Races is "To enable young people of all nations to race together at sea and under sail".

That is short and concise, but what it does not explain is that having experienced the thrills and challenges of racing at sea the young crews find that this creates a bond which enables them to mingle together easily and to make new friendships regardless of nationality or background. During each Race series the young crews also get the chance to gain further experience by sailing with their contemporaries from other countries when they change vessels to take part in a Cruise-in- Company. Over the years the STA "international family" feeling has developed among the Owners, Captains and adult crews of the many vessels which take part regularly - and this family feeling quickly spreads to new entries each year. It was because of the continuing success of the international aspects of the races, that it was decided to rename the race organising part of the STA and to develop a wider international focus. In 1995 this organisation became known as the International Sail Training Association (ISTA), remaining as a subsidiary of the main STA charity with unchanged aims and objectives, but with an additional remit to do more to foster and promote sail training at an international level. The need for this change is illustrated by the ever increasing number of affiliated! Sail Training Associations throughout the world. There are now STAs in 12 countries with more being formed each year.

The principal award at the end of each series is the Cutty Sark Trophy, a silver model of the famous clipper. The trophy epitomises the objective of the Races, for it goes not to the winner but to the vessel which has done the most to help foster international understanding and friendship during the Races, and it is awarded on the vote of the masters and crews of all the vessels in the fleet.

Organisation of the races

A "Tall Ship" is not necessarily one of the great square-riggers; any vessel in which at least half the people on board are aged between 15 and 25 and which is over 30-ft waterline length can enter the races.

The Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Races are organised by the ISTA's Racing committee. Since 1972 the Races have been sponsored by Cutty Sark Scots Whisky, who also present the Cutty Sark Trophy.

To operate the Races the ISTA have a Race Committe with a "Flag Officer" in each port. There is a Race Directorate to handle technical management, and teams to oversee vessel safety checks, crew interchange, communications and marketing. The arrival of the ships and their berthing, the un- docking and, if appropriate, a Parade of Sail are handled by each port's Harbourmaster and his staff. Each port also organises a social programme, which usually includes a reception for the Captains, a discotheque or similar function for the young crews, sporting events and sightseeing and, if appropriate, a prize-giving which is usually preceded by a march of the crews through the city.

The Port Programme is the responsibility of a Local Committee, under an experienced Chairman, and composed of various city officials together with volunteers. A system of liaison officers for each vessel look! after the many and varied requirements of the fleet. This function too is undertaken by local people.

Based on many years of experience the ISTA's "Port Manual" document is an invaluable aid for the ports handling the planning of the event, and advice is always available from the ISTA on request.

Race finance

The ISTA Races are financed primarily from the sponsorship of Cutty Sark Scots Whisky, the longest running sports sponsorship in the country. Other sources are donations from ports, vessels' entry fees and income from marketing.

Race planning

The Races are planned, organised and run by an all volunteer Racing Committee supported by the Race Director, an Assistant Race Director and two secretaries. The timing of the races is aimed to coincide with school holidays in July and August and a reace series lasts for about four weeks. It usually includes two races separated by a cruise-in-company during which at least four ports are visited. Crews may be changed in any of these ports. The correct balance of time in port and time at sea is important and experience suggests that a four-day port visit with at least the same amount of time racing or cruising between ports is about right. The Races are planned on a four-year cycle to enable visits to ports in different areas such as the North Sea, the Baltic or across the Bay of Biscay. One year in the cycle is left to allow some flexibility of choice and to cater for the inclusion of an occasional trans-Atlantic Race.

The ISTA rule of rating

Because of the very wide range of sailing vessels which take part in the Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Races - extending from a four-masted 3,000 ton barque to a single-masted 25 ton sloop - the ISTA produced its own, unique Rule of Rating in 1966 and this has been updated about every four years in the light of more race results becoming available. The rule is not a handicap system, i.e. individual vessels' performance is not considered. It is a rating system whereby about fifty items of data are fed into a formula and hence a rating is calculated and that figure is applied without adjustment to the vessels' elapsed time to obtain a corrected time.

What makes the rule unique is that different rigs have a special allowance as do deckhouses, bowsprits, gaffs, yards and other nautical devices seldom found on modern ocean racing craft. The rule also has a dampening formula which adjusts any rating which would otherwise be too extreme and it can be adjusted in the light of experience if it is found that the rule is favouring either the old- fashioned, unhandy square-riggers or the modern, efficient yachts.

Future races

These are normally planned up to four years ahead and in exceptional circumstances even further in advance with, for example, arrangements already in hand for a trans-Atlantic Race in 2000 to celebrate the Millennium.

An ISTA International Conference is held in London every November at which ports wishing to host the fleet are able to make their official invitations while future Race plans are being discussed. An International Racing Committee with delegates from 18 countries meets during this conference and selects the ports for the Race 4 years hence.

For details of forthcoming Races, for copies of Race entry forms and for information on the International Sail Training Association in the UK and its affiliated Associations throughout the world, write to: