Loa and behold this spectacle from Denmark is on the way

A 95-year-old Danish ship promises to be an eye-catching spectacle when she arrives on Wearside next year.

The Class A barquentine vessel Loa has signed up for The Tall Ships Races Sunderland 2018 and comes from a port which is no stranger to the event.

She is based in Aalborg, which was a host of the Tall Ships’ Races in 1999, 2004, 2010, and again in 2015.

Loa is 127-foot long and more than 75-foot high.

She was launched in 1922 and, as well as her nine-strong crew, she can take up to 23 trainees.

She may be a veteran in years but she underwent a restoration which took five years around a decade ago.

It all led to Loa joining the Tall Ships fleet in 2009.

Officials say the Loa was the largest restoration project of its kind in Denmark for decades and that was down to the dedication and enthusiasm of a team of around 100 volunteers as well as professional craftsmen.

She can now boast that she is a regular on the Tall Ships circuit and is one of three tall ships from Denmark.

The races are expected to bring a £10million to £15million boost to Sunderland’s economy. A fleet of 80 vessels is expected to arrive into Port of Sunderland.

Anyone wanting more information about The Tall Ships Races 2018 should follow the latest news at www. tallshipssunderland.com, on Twitter @TallShipsSund or on Facebook at TallShipsRacesSunderland.

The Sunderland Echo would love to hear from people who will be playing a part in the races next year.

Whether you are a sail trainee who will be boarding for the adventure of a lifetime or a captain at the helm, get in touch. Perhaps you are a Wearside business or organisation which is getting right behind the spectacle.

Whatever your reason, get in touch and email chris.cordner@jpress. co.uk

The races are expected to bring a £10million to £15million boost to Sunderland’s economy.