Associated British Ports

PORT OF IPSWICH BECOMES THE LATEST DATE IN THE SAILING CALENDAR
Associated British Ports� (ABP) Port of Ipswich is to be the venue for this year�s Association of Sea Training Organisations (ASTO) small-ships race. A flotilla of 14 ships will arrive at the port on Friday, 4 July, and their crews will compete in a series of sailing and rowing races in the safe environs of the port�s Wet Dock. Hosted by ABP and Ipswich Borough Council, the races are to be held the day after the ships� arrival.

Members of ASTO will compete in a series of sailing competitions in dinghies throughout the day, and will challenge the local Sea Cadets to a physically gruelling rowing contest. After working up an appetite, the competitors will enjoy a lunchtime barbecue organised by the Off-Shore Scouts.

For the less athletic, the Wet Dock�s quayside will feature a large maritime-themed art exhibition. Budding artists from local schools, youth clubs and the Prince�s Trust will be displaying their entries depicting �The Waterfront: Past, Present and Future�. Standards are expected to be high, with large cash prizes being awarded to the three best entries.

The day�s activities will be rounded-off by an evening reception in the Waterfront Conference Centre in Old Custom House. The Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Penny Breakwell, and assorted local dignitaries will join the ships� captains at the reception hosted by ABP Ipswich�s Port Manager, Robert Smith. The evening�s festivities will conclude with Andrew Jay, Managing Director of event-sponsors Persimmon Homes, presenting prizes to the day�s victors.

Speaking in anticipation of the weekend�s activities, ABP Ipswich Port Manager Robert Smith said:

�Although people think of Ipswich as a purely commercial port, we have excellent facilities in the Wet Dock that allow us to host such maritime events. Recreation has become an integral feature of the Wet Dock waterfront since the creation of the marinas and the installation of the new lock gates. Such is the level of local interest that we are expecting a large number of spectators.�

Ipswich will also be the starting-point for the full-scale yachts� race to Delfzijl. The flotilla will depart on Monday for the Dutch port where some of the contingent will go on to join the tall-ships race to the Baltics.

3rd July 2003

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