The Argentinian tall ship, Libertad, will receive a 21-gun salute from Dun Laoghaire's East Pier battery this morning to mark its arrival in Dublin Port for the Tall Ships Festival.
The 103-metre, five-masted frigate is not actually participating in the race, but is one of 95 vessels which will be berthed on the River Liffey over the next few days. The sail trainer took a north-about course to Dublin from Killala Bay, where it was anchored last weekend to pay tribute to the Argentinian navy's founder, Admiral William Brown of Foxford.
Four of the race's participants have already arrived in Dublin, and a fifth was due in last night. The four are sail-training yachts in the C3 class for Bermudan rig craft, and include the Cork round-Ireland veteran, Moonduster, the Italian Orsa Maggiore, the Nauticus from Poland and the Okeah, sailing under the Russian flag. A fifth in this class, the Tornado from Poland was also expected to finish the race's final leg last night.
Light winds have affected the 700-mile passage from Vigo, and the Asgard II was reported to be becalmed as it approached the southern coastline. The Irish sail trainer is leading its class for twin-masted brigantines, and is due to arrive in Dublin this morning. More than 2,500 crew members representing over 30 countries will participate in the festival, which runs officially from Saturday until Tuesday, when the fleet disperses after a parade of sail in Dublin Bay. Public access to vessels, berthed on both Liffey banks between the East Link and Talbot Memorial bridges, will depend on individual skippers, according to the race organisers.
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