Gdynia Maritime University GMU

The port in Arendal, Norway, was the final destination on the route of the Tall Ships Races 2023 (TSR 2023). Gdynia Maritime University's sail training ship was the fastest in the entire regatta, taking second place in class A and third in the general classification.

The last stage of the regatta from Lerwick to Arendal started with one day delay due to bad weather conditions, and was shortened to a distance of around 240 miles. After an excellent start in the second stage in which Dar Młodzieży took advantage of the favourable conditions, this time the weather didn't go easy on the white frigate. The losses incurred during the first stage could not be made up, but despite that, Dar Młodzieży finished TSR 2023 on the podium.

After the controversial decisions of the Race Committee in the third race of the Tall Ship Races 2023, in which, due to various circumstances, the ships were divided into two groups, Sprint and Endurance, the Dar took second place in class A - informed Captain Rafał Szymański, Captain of Dar Młodzieży. In the general classification, we received the Bermuda Trophy - a passing cup for the fastest ship in the entire TSR 2023 regatta - added Captain Szymański.

These are not the only successes achieved by the crew of Dar Młodzieży. Apprentices - students from the second year of the Faculty of Navigation of the Gdańsk University of Gdańsk won the football tournament in Arendal, which was played between the crews participating in The Tall Ships Races 2023.

As Captain Szymański pointed out, the degree of Dar Młodzieży's success is even more significant, as it was achieved with a limited number of trainees.

It seemed that there was no chance of a good result in the regatta, but it turned out that this small group of apprentices handled the sails perfectly and with great commitment, for which they deserve notable recognition. We should not forget about the permanent crew of the ship, who made every effort to ensure that everything was safe and in accordance with good practice at sea. I would like to thank everyone for their commitment and hard work - added Captain Szymański.

In the first stage of the regatta, the Dar placed out of 7 classified sailing ships in class A and took 9th place in the overall classification - due to difficult weather conditions, only 13 ships completed the race. In the second part of the regatta with a great advantage (16 hours 30 minutes and 2 seconds) Dar Młodzieży was the first to cross the finish line and won in class A and in the general classification.

On Sunday, August 6, with 116 students of the second year of the Faculty of Navigation, Dar Młodzieży will set sail for Falmouth, where on August 15th the special edition of the Tall Ship Races Magellan - Elcano will begin. The regatta is held to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the first voyage around the world - the expedition of Ferdinand Magellan and Juan Sebastian de Elcano, which, due to the coronavirus pandemic, were cancelled in previous years. After Falmouth, the vessels participating in the regatta will call at A Coruna, Lisbon and Cadiz.