Ships from across heading our way
More than a dozen nations will be represented at Sunderland’s leg of The Tall Ships Races.
Here is the line-up of magnificent vessels which has so far signed up to come to Wearside.
Every vessel competes in a specific class depending on its type and size.
But 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.
Alexander von Humboldt II (Germany). Christian Radich (Norway). Eendracht (Holland). Fryderyk Chopin (Poland). Gulden Leeuw (Holland). Loa (Denmark). Mir (Russia). Morgenster (Holland). Ossterschelde (Holland). Santa Maria Manuela (Portugal). Shtandart (Russia). Lord Nelson (UK). Sorlandet (Norway). Tarangini (India). Wylde Swan (Holland).
Caroline Af Sandnes (Norway). De Gallant (France). Dyrafjeld (Norway). Etoile (France). Froya (Norway). Helena (Finland). JR Tolkien (Holland). Jolie Brise (UK). Maybe (UK).