50 years after the celebration of the first Tall Ships Race the port of Cadiz will again be the centre of attention for all Sail Training Ships.

In July 1956 the English ship “Mayona” won the inaugural race, beating twenty other vessels over a course between Torbay (United Kingdom) and Lisbon (Portugal). Despite her victory the return home was marred by a storm that eventually sunk the vessel. The twenty three crew and the trophy were however luckily saved.

In 2006 the fleet will set sail from Saint Malo (France) where the first race will officially start off Torbay, taking the boats to the finishing line in Lisbon. From the Portuguese capital, ships and crew will enjoy a cruise in company to Cadiz and then another to our twin city La Coruña where the last leg of the race will start, with the fleet finishing in Antwerp (Belgium).

During its time in Cadiz (26th – 29th of July) the 50th Anniversary Regatta will unite crews from five continents who will arrive aboard their countries Sail Training Ships to share with us their legacies and customs.

The Port area will be converted into a cultural meeting place where the tall ships will join Cadiz by sea with the rest of the world.