Tall Ships to set sail from Cornwall in 2023
The historic UK coastal town of Falmouth, Cornwall, has announced it will host the start of the prestigious Tall Ships Race, Magellan Elcano from the 15 – 18 August 2023.
It will be the first time in nine years that the tall ships race has taken place in Falmouth Harbour and it will be the sixth time Falmouth has hosted the regatta and race (the first it hosted was in 1966).
The Tall Ships race was postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to coronavirus restrictions.
Tall Ships Falmouth 2023 will be underwritten by Falmouth Town Council, with financial support from its key partners Falmouth Business Improvement District (BID) and Falmouth Tall Ships Association. A number of key partners and local businesses will be providing sponsorship support to help cover the costs associated with hosting the event and there will also be numerous opportunities for sponsors to get involved.
The mayor of Falmouth, councillor Steve Eva says: “This really is fantastic news for the town and Falmouth Town Council is only too pleased to support. Credit must go to the efforts and behind the scenes negotiations by our brilliant town team for securing this event for the benefit of our community, businesses and visitors.
“We have a strong pedigree in delivering memorable tall ships races and regattas over the years; they really hold a special place in the hearts and minds of so many. We greatly look forward to viewing the ships under full sail in Falmouth Bay once again.”
Richard Gates, Falmouth Town manager adds: “It’s a welcome return for the Tall Ships Races, after it was postponed in 2020, and 2021, due to covid restrictions. Our town’s history is intertwined with these magnificent vessels so you could say they are coming home. We’re really excited to be the venue for the start of the races. As always, we look forward to the truly awe-inspiring spectacle of the tall ships as they sail into the harbour.”
Visitors will have the opportunity to board some of the historic tall ships as they will be sited within the A&P Falmouth Docks. Tickets to access these ships will go on sale nearer the time and will be priced at £5.00 for adults and £2.50 children.
Executive director of Falmouth BID Richard Wilcox says: “We know that the cultural programme is vital to Cornwall. With over four million annual visitors and 50 per cent of those inspired to visit by that offer, we as the Town Team have worked extremely hard over the past ten years to position Falmouth as Cornwall’s year-round events capital.
“We also know from surveys carried out at the last tall ships occasion in 2014, that the 150,000+ visitors across the four days resulted in a £10.5 million uplift for Cornwall. So the event is not only a wonderful occasion, thanks to the hard work of many individuals, organisations and volunteers, but it will provide a crucial and timely economic boost to the county and its businesses.”
The Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, as in previous events, will provide ‘on the water’ logistical management.
