Baltimore Kickers

We had a great week when we welcomed the 'Gorch Fock' to Baltimore's FANTASTIC 250th SAIL Celebration.

Read about the visit and the welcome the sailors received from the German Community in Baltimore.

A 'SPECIAL EDITION' of 'Die Verbindung' is now available for your reading pleasure on our website at www.germanmarylanders.org.

Direct Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wjPFP7YlcKoc2C3kRv64mow3ugUL4yqN/view

germanmarylanders.org

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Cheer the crew on!

The Sister Ships Are Going Racing! In a rare gathering of sister ships, America's tall ship, USCGC EAGLE, will race her three historic German-built sister barques from New York to Boston: GORCH FOCK (II) of Germany, SAGRES of Portugal, and MIRCEA of Romania.

We don't have all the details yet. But local scuttlebutt indicates that all four competing vessels are now underway from Sail4th 250 & are currently motoring out of the New York shipping lanes. Latest word is that once they rendezvous offshore they will be racing East toward Nantucket & rounding Cape Cod before turning up in to Massachusetts Bay.

We have learned from a confidential source that the Five Sisters Cup, the trophy they will be racing for which has been in the possession of the German ship Gorch Fock (II) is now in the hands of Sail Boston so that it can be awarded to the winner.

Track the fleet & follow the race: https://www.sailboston.com/fleet-tracker/

• When and where will the race begin?
Latest word is that the race will begin on Thursday, July 9. The start is expected to take place offshore, south of Long Island after the four ships rendezvous.

• Can I watch the race from shore?
Probably not. To maximize sailing conditions and give the square-riggers plenty of room to maneuver, the ships are expected to follow an offshore blue-water route well out of sight of land.

• Will they transit the Cape Cod Canal?
No. The current plan is for the race fleet to round Cape Cod offshore before turning north into Massachusetts Bay.

• Where is the finish line?
That has not been announced and could change depending on weather & race conditions. We'll share more information if it becomes available.

• What are the rules?
This is a sailing race. Once the race begins, the ships will compete under sail. Engines are not used for the race itself except where required for safety or by race officials.

(Photo credit: Portuguese Navy)

United States Coast Guard Barque EAGLE German Embassy Washington Ambasada României în Statele Unite ale Americii / Romanian Embassy to US Marinha Portuguesa

We are waiting for you🇩🇪🇩🇪

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