Vessels start to arrive - and the party begins!

Preparations are now fully under way in Falmouth to welcome the Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta fleet. Spaniel (Latvia), Juan de Langara (Spain) and the two Challenger boats, Marguarita and Oona (UK) were amongst the first of the smaller vessels to arrive, while Capitan Miranda (Uruguay) and Cuauhtemoc (Mexico) were the first two Class A ships to arrive.

Accompanied by stirring Mexican music, Cuauhtemoc arrived at lunchtime today with her crew manning the yards and singing proudly. A large crowd quickly gathered to welcome the ship to Falmouth, cheering as she fired her canons and shouting welcome messages. On the blast of a whistle the crew, in their smart striped jumpers, quickly scrambled down the mast and wasted no time before starting to polish the brass in preparation for the thousands of visitors that are expected to cross her decks over the coming days.

Meanwhile several villages of entertainment and attractions are being set up around the town with music, shopping stalls, circus acts, dance and shanty singing planned throughout the four days. The first full day of entertainment will be tomorrow, Wednesday 10 September when an opening ceremony will be held on Queen’s Wharf to launch proceedings.