Expect in Sunderland

through the city from the port.

Organisers are predicting an “international carnival atmosphere” on the streets of Sunderland with music, dancing, singing and a bagful of laughs.

For the public, it’s another packed day of entertainment with a full programme of things to do across the event zones. Expect more detail on that in the days to come.

For the ships’ captains, it is time to get serious. This is the day when they get their briefing for the race ahead.

Sunderland is the first port in the 2018 event before the fleet heads to Esbjerg in Denmark.

This is also the day when the sail trainees who are about to participate in the race will arrive in Sunderland to join their ships.

Meanwhile, for the public, the festivities will continue across the city.

The focus moves to a new area of Wearside on the last day.

After three days of spectacular sights and amazing entertainment, the attention will be on the coastline.

The ships will be closed to the public as they get ready to sail.

They will undock over the course of the afternoon and move out into the North Sea where they will take part in the stunning Parade of Sail.

This is where the hundreds of thousands of people on the shoreline will get to see all of the vessels lining up out at sea before they sail northwards and on to their next destination.

The coastal resorts of Roker and Seaburn will provide fabulous viewing points and the entertainment will not stop when the ships leave.

The programmed events will be continuing well into the evening as the city reflects and celebrates a fantastic few days.

Every vessel competes in a specific class depending on its type and size.

Here’s an explanation on who qualifies for each class of competition.

Class A ships include all square– rigged vessels and all other vessels which are more than 40 metres Length Overall (LOA), regardless of their rig.

Class B ships are those which are traditionally rigged vessels with an LOA of less than 40 metres and with a waterline length of at least 9.14 metres.

The Class C line-up includes modern rigged vessels with an LOA of less than 40 metres and with a waterline length of at least 9.14 metres, not carrying spinnaker-like sails.

And the fourth category is Class D where the ships are modern rigged vessels with an LOA of less than 40 metres and with a waterline length of at least 9.14 metres carrying spinnaker-like sails. There are other criteria which the ships must also meet to take part in the races.

Find out more about Sunderland’s leg of The Tall Ships Races - including all the latest news - at www.tallshipssunderland.com , Twitter @ TallShipsSund or on Facebook at TallShipsRacesSunderland.