Leg one of the Historical Seas Tall Ships Regatta followed the route, according to legend, of Jason and the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece from Volos, Greece (12-15 May) through the Dardanelles into the Black Sea. The next port of call was Varna, Bulgaria (21-24 May), departing on the country`s National Day (24 May). From there the fleet raced to Istanbul, Turkey (27-30 May), where the Regatta was a centrepiece of the city`s celebrations of its designation as European Capital of Culture in 2010. From there the fleet cruised and raced to Lavrion, Greece (4-7 June) close to Athens and a wealth of other historical and cultural sites.

Vesselss visiting Varna

The Historical Seas Tall Ships Regatta will take place between 9 May and 7 June and will involve four ports new to hosting Tall Ships events. Each of the ports has its own charm and character that will ensure a new experience for ships and crews alike. The route will take the fleet through the Dardanelles, the Sea of Marmara, and the Bosphorus into the Black Sea and back through the Cyclades, visiting ports in Greece and Bulgaria as well as the exotic city of Istanbul.

The Regatta will be made up of three races with no cruise-in-company. Leg one will follow the route which, according to legend, was taken by Jason and the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece. The fleet will gather in Volos, Greece with the start area established due south of the island of Skiathos, some 30 miles from Volos. With the Sporades Islands to port, the fleet will head, via a number of waypoints, to a final waypoint to the west of the entrance to the Dardanelles, some 160 miles distant. Ships will record their time at this waypoint and will stop racing. They will be allowed to pass through the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus under engine and will have about two days to get to the starting waypoint for the second leg of the first race in the Black Sea about 170 miles away. During this period, they can stop where they please, take on provisions - but not crew - and relax. The race will be restarted from a point north of the entrance to the Bosphorus and, via another waypoint, will finish in Varna, Bulgaria by 21 May.

Varna is a city of contrasts with ancient, medieval, renaissance and modern cultures mingling and coexisting throughout the city, offering the crews an interesting four days. The fleet will then leave the city on 24 May, Bulgarian National Day, for the start of the second race. This race will take the fleet via a number of waypoints, covering about 200 miles, to the northern entrance to the Bosphorus, where it will finish late in the evening on 26 May, allowing the fleet to transit through the Bosphorus and be in Istanbul by 27 May.

The fleet will stay in Istanbul, Turkey for another four days of festivities where the crew will have ample time to explore this exceptional city. As Istanbul will be the European Capital of Culture in 2010, the crews will be assured an interesting cultural programme to make the most of this opportunity, where Europe and Asia meet.

The fleet will leave Istanbul on 30 May and make its way through the Sea of Marmara and the Dardanelles to the race start area. The third race will start on 1 June and head south towards Lavrion, Greece leaving the Cyclades islands of Myconos and Naxos to port. The third race will be about 220 miles in length and will finish off Lavrion by 4 June. The fleet will be alongside until 7 June when ships disperse back to their home ports or on to other events. As Lavrion is close to Athens, there is a wealth of historical and cultural sites for the crews to visit and enjoy while in this port.

Many ships will be joining the Historical Seas Tall Ships Regatta after completing the Garibaldi Tall Ships Regatta.