TV ‘star’ signs up for a visit to Sunderland
A ship which has appeared on a hit TV show is coming to Sunderland for The Tall Ships Races.
The impressive Christian Radich becomes the 21st ship to sign up for next year’s Wearside leg of the races, from Wednesday, July 11, until Saturday, July 14, 2018.
The 80-year-old vessel has starred in the BBC TV series The Onedin Line as well as the movie Windjammer.
The three-masted Tall Ships Races favourite, from Oslo, in Norway, was a huge hit with crowds when she came to Hartlepool in 2010, especially when she contested the top spots for awards.
She has had a long and illustrious career.
Christian Radich functioned as a sail training ship when she started life in 1937 and that role continued to 1998.
More recently, she has served as a school ship for the Norwegian Navy, and she is still a school ship for maritime students in winter.
But during the summer, she offers voyages for school classes, as well as taking part in the Tall Ships’ Races.
The vessel is more than 200ft long and about 110ft high. She is entered by the Christian Radich Sail Training Foundation. She can accommodate 85 trainees on board as well as a permanent crew of 30 people.
She welcomes people from many nations and has been known to have up to 18 nationalities represented on board at any one time.
Christian Radich joins an exciting line-up of vessels which have signed up for next year’s Sunderland leg.
Others include Wylde Swan, Alexander von Humboldt II, Morgenster , Helena, Spaniel, Black Diamond of Durham, Esprit, Vahine, Offshore Scout and Ocean Scout .
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.