(Source: http://boat2.ru/node/36737)

SCF Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta 2014 was held under the Russian flag along the Russian coast of the Black Sea for the first time. Impressive armada of the biggest educational sailing ships from around the world, including the Russian "Mir", "Sedov", "Krusenstern" and "Nadezhda" have double-crossed the Black Sea and made stops at four ports: Varna, Novorossiysk, Sochi and Constanta.

Tall Ships Regatta is patronized by the Russian President Vladimir Putin, President of Bulgaria Rosen Plevneliev and Romanian President Traian Basescu. The organizers are the British Sail Training International charity foundation, which holds Tall Ships Regatta in the world since 1956 and the Russian Sovcomflot state company. The main purpose of the regatta is the symbolic opening of the southern sea gate of Russia; popularization of maritime and yachting tourism on the Black Sea; the strengthening of good-neighborly relations between states; infrastructure development and popularization of maritime occupations among youth.

The Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta involves a fleet numbering more than 30 pennants: nine of them are majestic representatives of the "A" class, so all the participants and visitors of the regatta will witness an unforgettable spectacle. The terms of the regatta call the large sailing vessels to open boards for visitors at ports. So that residents and guests of Novorossiysk and Sochi will visit the famous sailing ships and communicate with the sailors.

The educational sailing ship race soon will celebrate its 60th anniversary. Originally created as means for supporting sailing ships, disappearing from oceanic surfaces, now they serve a different purpose: unite nations; acquaint young people with sailing races; play the role of a good life school for troubled teens, because the whole world believes the sea sailing is one of the best means for the education of the young generation.