‘Sometimes we crew members feel just like rock stars,’ said Marcus Seidl, captain of the Stadsraad Lemkuhl from Norway. The quote appeared in the Leeuwarder Courant on Friday and probably sums up what many tall ship skippers experience. Rock stars on gigantic stages. That was exactly what the Sail In Parade embodied on Friday afternoon. And the crowd, numbering many thousands, revelled in it. Packed together on the dyke.
It’s a highlight of every Sail. And the Sail In Parade certainly didn’t disappoint in the 70th-anniversary edition of the Tall Ships Races either. In fact, carried by a gentle swell, they sailed into the harbour. To name but a few: Thalassa, Morgenster, Royalist, Sørlandet and the 100-metre-long Stadsraad Lemkuhl. The fleet’s showpiece.
In most cases, the party was on board too. The young crew of the Kapitan Glowacki danced the Polonaise, and no, that’s not the same as our polonaise. A sense of joy and, presumably, relief – the sea had been rough, with wind force 8 and gusts reaching 9 – took hold of the young crew. And everyone watching from the shore understood.
The first day of Sail Harlingen was blessed with good weather. No rain, temperatures of around 20 degrees, and sunshine that prevailed over the clouds throughout the day. Spectators and trainees mingled at the event site, which offered entertainment at De Stroming, De Deining, De Piratenkaai and De Blauwe Kop. Friday drew to a close there, with live performances by The Legends We’ve Lost and The Naked Koala. The latter was a spectacle making its debut in the Netherlands and only its second appearance worldwide. Members of the band played from the mast of the tall ship Sørlandet! After The Naked Koala, DJ Two Below Zero, together with laser king Beamshow Bram, created another great party atmosphere.
Saturday, day two. With the Crew Parade in the city centre, the Royal Netherlands Navy Roadshow and Sven Hammond. And the rock stars on their floating stages? They’ll be staying there for a while yet…
