On August 2018, a solemn ceremony was held in Harlingen (the Netherlands) to present awards to the winners of the major international regatta, Tall Ships Races 2018. Based on the results of all stages of the competitions the Mir frigate came first in its class. During the ceremony, the FSUE “Rosmorport” ship also received a separate prize as the fastest sailing ship of the races. Last time the frigate received this prize 12 years ago. The prize itself is a C cup trophy and represents a stone, which had been taken from Cape Horn November on 12, 1968.

The second stage of the Tall Ships Races 2018 regatta – the passage from Stavanger to Harlingen turned out to be not easy. By tradition prior to the race its participants took part in the parade in the port’s water area. The further away from the coast the vessels sailed, the greater the waves were. The vessels had to form up on ready positions under the storm conditions with the southern wind of up to 16 m/s. Due to heavy swell life ropes were spread on the Mir sailing ship.

The race started simultaneously for all classes of ships. All-hands sailing evolution has been announced to make sails. The Mir was one of the first to start. The situation was very difficult at the starting line and vessels had to pass clear of each other. The vessels had to cross the North Sea from north to south. Over the first 24 hours the frigate overtook its major runner in Class A – the Frederic Chopin sailing ship. The severe weather conditions took power of crewmembers and the sailing ship. For the second day of the race the wind gusts tore five sails of the frigate. The wind was of 19 meters per second and the list was of about 25 degrees. Crewmembers took a decision to collect upper sails on two masts. This responsible and difficult task has been taken by cadets of Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping who were undergoing training on the sailing ship. The cadets were on duty equally with the crewmembers. During the race, all of them were concentrated and joined their effort to overtake the runner.

For the timely arrival of the fleet at the regatta port of Holland the regatta finish was announced over the radio in advance – 38 hours after the start time. In the morning, August 1, the Mir made its final overturn and sailed for the port of Harlingen.

Upon successful completion of the regatta on August 6 the Mir will leave for Warnemunde (Germany) to take part in the sails festival.