| Tall Ships In Gdynia 1974 |
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In 1972, the first sailing ship from Eastern Europe participated in the Races and won the Solent – Skaw race; it was the Dar Pomorza. As a result, two years later the ship's home port Gdynia, was the city where the Races finished (they started in Copenhagen). Gdynia, the first Polish port in the history of the event, hosted a flotilla of tall ships and yachts on 18 – 21 July 1974. The most beautiful "birds of the oceans" from all over the world enchanted the inhabitants of Gdynia and crowds of tourists with their beauty. Many outstanding Polish sailors came to Gdynia, and they seized an opportunity to set up the "Brotherhood of Capehorners", embracing people who rounded Cape Relentless. The only thing that failed was the weather. Therefore, social life moved under the vessels' decks, and sports events were held only thanks to the crews' determination. The exhibition of stamps of marine theme was quite popular. The most impressive event, however, was the parade of vessels on the Gulf of Gdańsk; the vessels sailed in front of the ship Profesor Siedlecki - the parade stand. The parade was led by the Kruzenshtern, the flag ship of the Races, while the absolute winner of the Races, Tovarisch, sailed behind her. Polish yachts Otago and Copernicus, who had just returned from the round-the-world race, presented sailing elegance. ORP Iskra made a salute by lowering and hoisting her sails, and the Dutch, in the 19th century costumes, on a black bark with red-and-brown sails, saluted the Polish flag firing an ancient cannon and playing a pipe-call. The main prize given for "fostering international brotherhood", the Cutty Sark Trophy, was handed for the first time.
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