Operation Sail first time behind the Iron Curtain. The history of The Tall Ships’ Races was being written in Gdynia. From right to left: Kruzenshtern, Dar Pomorza, Tovarisch, Gorch Fock, Georg Stage, and the French Etoile and Belle Poule. (Photo by:

The Russian Kruzenshtern – the biggest sailing ship in the first Tall Ships' Races held in Gdynia. (From the archives of the Museum of the City of Gdynia)

The Russian colossus under full sail during the parade crowning the Gdynia leg of the Races in 1974 (From the archives of the Museum of the City of Gdynia)

The smallest frigate in the world – the Danish Georg Stage during the parade in 1974 (From the archives of the Museum of the City of Gdynia)

Fleet parade alongside the Seaside Boulevard in Gdynia, 1974 (From the archives of the Museum of the City of Gdynia)

Undisputed winner in the 1974 Races, the Russian Tovarisch (From the archives of the Museum of the City of Gdynia)

Another snapshot of the 1974 parade. (Photo by: Marek Czasnojć)

The Tall Ships' Races 1992 attracted crowds of visitors to Gdynia. (Photo by Janusz Uklejewski)

View of the Gdynia harbour from Kamienna Góra, 1992. (Photo by: Halina Wasielke-Cieślak)

Gdynia's beach and Seaside Boulevard are excellent places from which to admire the beauty of "birds of the oceans" during the parade of sail. (Photo by: Maurycy Śmierzchalski)

The German barque Alexander von Humboldt, not the biggest one but certainly one of the most distinctive sailing vessels – owing to her green hull and sails, lying off the port of Gdynia, 2003. (Photo by: Maurycy Śmierzchalski)

Dar Pomorza together with the fleet of the Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Races 2003, shrouded in night glow. (Photo by: Maurycy Śmierzchalski)

British Lord Nelson, fully adapted to the needs of disabled crew members. An excellent form of rehabilitation. (Photo by: Maurycy Śmierzchalski)

The Russian Sedov, the biggest sail training ship in the world, setting sail before the parade, Gdynia 2003. The Mir in the background. (Photo by: Maurycy Śmierzchalski)

The Russian giant a few moments later – under full sail. (Photo by: Maurycy Śmierzchalski)

Gdynia’s President Basin by night, The Tall Ships' Races 2003. (Photo by: Maurycy Śmierzchalski)

View from Seaside Boulevard on a feast of lights in the harbour full of grand ships, Gdynia 2003. (Photo by: Maurycy Śmierzchalski)

Forest of masts and crowds of visitors. The Pogoria in the foreground. 2003. (Photo by: Maurycy Śmierzchalski)

Compared with a giant ship like Sedov, all the others seem small. (From the archives of Gdynia City Hall)

Main actors of the Gdynia 2003 Races: (from left to right) Lord Nelson (Great Britain), Stad Amsterdam (Holland), Mir (Russia), Nadiezda (Russia), Sedov (Russia). (Photo by: Maurycy Śmierzchalski)

Gatherings of sailing ships are festivals of youth and openness, but also a lesson in cultural diversity. (From the archives of Gdynia City Hall)

The Tall Ships' Races 2003 attracted to Gdynia, the sailing capital of Poland, a record number of visitors – 1,200,000. (Photo by: Maurycy Śmierzchalski)

Fireworks display is a highlight of each gathering – and so was in Gdynia 2003. And so will be in 2009. (From the archives of Gdynia City Hall)

Masts and yards look romantic in the setting sun. (From the archives of Gdynia City Hall)

The Mexican barque Cuathemoc was a sensation in Gdynia, 2003. (From the archives of Gdynia City Hall)

Gdynia’s President Basin full of ships in the morning, 2003. (From the archives of Gdynia City Hall)

Dar Młodzieży, the most beautiful ambassador of Gdynia in the ports all over the world, is always warmly welcomed in her home port. (Photo by: Kacper Kowalski)

Russian full-rigged Mir by night. (Photo by: Krzysztof Romański)

Russian Sedov was for many years called a "white colossus". Now her hull is black, following the main part she played in a film in 2007. (Photo by: Krzysztof Romański)

Sailing ships by night create a unique scenery. Here: Norwegian Sorlandet – to be seen in Gdynia in July. (Photo by: Krzysztof Romański)

Polish biggest sailing ship, the "White Frigate" Dar Młodzieży, gracefully leaves Gdynia to sail across seas and oceans. (Photo by: Maurycy Śmierzchalski)

The Dar Młodzieży at her best. In the background, ORP Iskra, Christian Radich and Russian Shtandard, an exact replica of Tsar Peter I's warship. See you in Gdynia! (Courtesy of Sail Training International)

Russian Mir, Dar Młodzieży's twin, under full sail. She will visit Gdynia again in July. (Courtesy of Sail Training International)

Passionate race between the twin sisters Dar Młodzieży and Mir. (Courtesy of Sail Training International)

On 5 July 2009, Gdynia's roadstead will be full of all kinds of vessels, sailing boats and yachts, and the biggest tall ships will be parading among them like soaring spires. (Courtesy of Sail Training International)

Sailing ships look the most beautiful under full sail. In the foreground: Norwegian Sorlandet, Finnish Estelle behind her, and Christian Radich in the distance. They will all come to Gdynia soon – in July. (Courtesy of Sail Training International)

Owing to her charming appearance, the Dar Pomorza was considered world's most beautiful full-rigger. The White Frigate under full sail caught by the photographer's lens - a sight no longer available. Photo by: M. Czasnojć

Ornamental figureheads distinguish many tall ships. Here - the figurehead at the prow of the Norwegian Christian Radich. Photo by: M. Czasnojć

Setting sails onboard the Dar Pomorza. Photo by: M. Czasnojć

Shanty music is a must onboard a tall ship. Photo by: M. Czasnojć

The daily grind during races. Photo by: M. Czasnojć

Don't look down, go up high! Photo by: M. Czasnojć

The Russian Mir at sea. Photo by: M. Czasnojć

The Dutch Morgenster - last year's new-comer in the races. Photo by: M. Czasnojć

The races don't stop when the night falls... The Pogoria seen from the stern with the Mir on the horizon. Photo by: M. Czasnojć

The Sorlandet of Norway on the roadstead of a Dutch port. Photo by: M. Czasnojć

A sunset at sea - beauty in itself - looks wonderful in the company of tall ships... Photo by: M. Czasnojć

An evening time in the races - as if painted by an impressionist painter. Photo by: M. Czasnojć

The sun and the sails go hand in hand together... Photo by: M. Czasnojć