Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Race
Pompey Harbour 15 - 18 August 2002

(All photos copyright Frank Foulger ©)

Twenty five years ago, the Queen's Silver Jubilee, since the Tall Ship's Race came to Portsmouth. The event this year was even bigger and had millions of onlookers taking in the atmosphere and the beauty of these magnificent sailing ships. The following  represents just a small selection and in no way is it intended that the other sailing ships, big and small, were any the less beautiful.

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Cutty Sark Tall Ships

Portsmouth Harbour August 15 to 18, 2002 were hosts to the tall ships at the end of their challenging Cutty Sark Tall Ship's Race. It was twenty five years since this prestigious event was last welcomed to Portsmouth, in 1977, during the Queen's Silver Jubilee. Approximately eighty tall ships took part in the event ranging from giant square riggers to small modern yachts. Fifteen countries took part. Sunday 18 Aug saw a climax to the festivities which opened with a spectacular display by the Red Arrows. During the display a couple of Hawk planes "dived bombed" the square riggers and ferries leaving the harbour just missing their masts! - and then going into a vertical power climb! One Red Arrow dived so low onto the Pride of Portsmouth cross-channel ferry that I held my breath as it skimmed about 50 feet over its masts!!! Brilliant!!! (All pilots in the Red Arrows team have flown tactical fighters such as Harriers, Tornadoes, Jaguars).

Fact: 500 large sailing ships in commission compared with 200 in the 1950s.

The race commenced July 5-8 in Alicante, Spain to Malaga July 13-16 and then on to La Coruna North West Spain July 26-29, then on to Santander August 3-6 and then to Portsmouth.

Fact: Each ship is handicapped like a horse race. Large square-riggers take longer and a wider angle to tack up wind than a smaller fast sloop. This time factor has been refined to a fine art.

Fact: Cutty Sark Whisky have sponsored the race since 1972. Winners prize; a model of the Cutty Sark cast in silver. Cutty Sark built in 1869 now in dry dock Greenwich.

Red Arrows

Fact: 1st display French National Air Day May 9th 1965.

Fact: A Jordanian ordered a million Christmas cards featuring the Red Arrows after seeing their display.

Fact: 650,000 (approx) watched the Red Arrows in Lisbon in 1973

Fact: The age of the crew ranges from 15 to 25 years!