2007BB

Newport RI. June 29, 2007 - The 177’ Indian Navy training vessel Tarangini took first place honors on the first race of the American Sail Training Association’s (ASTA) 2007 TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Race Series, handily beating out rival ships from the Cook Islands and Britain.

The Tarangini - true to her name (derived from the Hindi word "Tarang" meaning "'waves") - made waves by her superlative performance during this first race from Charleston, SC to Norfolk, VA. Maneuvering a ship of 177 feet in length with a sail area of 10,000 square feet in varying wind conditions - and in unfamiliar waters while competing against more experienced crews proved a challenge to the officers and cadets on board.

In Newport this week, Commander Sunil Balakrishnan, the Captain of Tarangini told a reporter that he is looking forward to winning the next two legs of the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Race Series, commencing on Sunday from Newport at 4pm this Sunday off of Brenton Reef

The next two races are sponsored by Vectrix—the world’s first high-powered, electric two-wheel vehicle designed to offer high performance and zero emissions. Newport-based Vectrix is offering test drives at a specially designed test track located in Newport Shipyard while the tall ships are in port.

Captain Liam Keating of the British Tall Ship Prince William has let it be known that his vessel also has plans to bring home a first place. In response to Commander Ali’s comments, Captain Keating stated, “The first race, I can see, he won it. But he’s never come up against an Irish captain. This is my fifth visit to Rhode Island, and I have picked up some local knowledge. The ‘luck of the Irish’ are here now.”

Captain Nick Alley of the Virginia responded, "Captain Liam is a fine sailor, but I grew up in Boston and have raced to Halifax several times on Spirit of Massachusetts. Virginia is particularly good at reaching and moderate breezes. The lighter winds may favor the smaller vessels. So, we'll see..."

At 293’ in length, with a crew of 193 the German Navy's Gorch Fock is the largest boat in the next two Vectrix TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® races.

"Yes, we have a race strategy- but it is a secret. Our vessel is designed for heavy weather in the North Atlantic”, says Executive Officer Commander Ivo Schneider, “In 10 knots of wind, we just sit there. But in 40 or 45 knots of wind we can carry full sail, while the smaller boats have to reef down."

The fleet competing in the Vectrix TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® races will include: Gorch Fock (Germany), Picton Castle (Cook Islands), Pride of Baltimore (Maryland), Prince William (United Kingdom), Spirit of Bermuda, Tarangini (India), Urania (The Netherlands) and Schooner Virginia.

Founded in 1973 in Newport, RI, ASTA is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization whose mission is “to encourage character building through sail training, promote sail training in North America, and support education under sail.” With more than 250 tall ships and sail training vessels, representing more than 26 US states and 30 countries sailing around the globe, ASTA fosters youth education, leadership development and the preservation of North American maritime heritage.

Each summer, on a different coast of the U.S., ASTA organizes a series of Tall Ships® races, crew rallies and port events. This year, the ASTA fleet has been in Charleston and Norfolk before arriving in Newport next week to participate in Tall Ships® Rhode Island.

After the ships leave Newport, they’ll be on to Halifax to finish the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Race Series for the year. Next year, the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® fleet will be on the Pacific Coast.