In July 2009 Saint-Petersburg will host a leg of THE TALL SHIPS' RACES BALTIC 2009

International regatta of training tall ships has been regularly held since 1956. They had different names like “Operation SAIL”, “Cutty Sark”, present name of the regatta is “Tall Ships’ Races”. Soviet and Russian tall ships have been taking part in regatta since 1978.
Main purpose of the regatta is to support intellectual and physical youth development, character building, promotion of healthy lifestyle among the youth, popularization of marine professions, development of tolerant attitude and making friendly relationships between young people around the world, strengthening international relations.
Races are held by International non-profit organization Sail Training International – global Association of training tall ships.
In 2006 global Association of training tall ships (STI) was nominated for the Nobel prize for the achieved results in marine, international and patriotic youth upbringing. Regatta is very prestigious, as in most participating countries heads of states patronize the events welcoming regatta.
Fleet of training tall ships around the world accounts for about 300 ships. Russian ships participating in the regatta are 5 big tall ships: “MIR”, “Kruzenstern”, “Sedov”, “Nadezhda”, “Pallada” and more than 10 small ships and yachts. Tall ships with all kinds of rigs are allowed to races, waterline length shall be at least 9,14 m. long. Main criteria for participation in regatta is the following requirement to the team: at least 50% of crew shall be at the age of 15 - 25 years old.
All tall ships – participants are divided into 4 classes:
Class б: all square-rigged ships or ships with any rig and maximum length equal or more than 48,8 m. long.
Class ч: traditionally rigged ships, less than 48,8 m. long.
Class у: modern rigged ships, without spinnaker.
Class D: modern rigged ships, with spinnaker.
Every year 50 - 120 ships take part in regatta. Each time the route is different. Regatta is held within 3 legs and 4 ports: first race – from port 1 to port 2, joint ships sailing between ports 2 and 3, including cruise-in-company, and second race between 3 and 4 ports. At port 2 by results of the first race award presentation take place, at the last port winners of 2 races are awarded. Within different regatta legs as a result of cruise-in-company 3 000 - 5 000 young people take part in the regatta. Simultaneously 2000-2500 participants are present at all ships.
Every port considers it honorable to host training tall ships. Cities, hosting regatta, were chosen by strict selection 3-4 before the racing. St.Petersburg has already hosted fleet The Tall Ships’ Races in 1996 and is honored to host it again in 2009.
July 11 – 14, 2009 more than 100 tall ships and over 2000 young sailors come to St.Petersburg. Festival of Sea and Youth will continue for 4 days long. Coast program of the regatta includes the following events: state reception in honor of captains of all ships, disco for young members of crews, fair organization and public excursions at ships, crew parades on city streets and grand awarding of race winners at central square of the city, sport event, concerts, fireworks etc.