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311--California: Tallship LA Festival 2005 @ CherieSpotting     Aug 16 2005 - 09:29 PST cherie writes: Los Angeles Harbor was invaded on Aug. 11th by fifteen of the world’s most celebrated tallships. It was a welcome invasion viewed by an estimated 200,000 spectators over the four-day 2005 Tallships LA Festival. Rennie and Anne invited a mix of friends to view the Grand Parade of Sail aboard their Swan 65 “Cassiopeia.” Our crew ranged from avid sailors (like Rennie, Anne, Greg, Trish and me) to first-timers (like Norm, Scott, Gabi, Karem, Diane and Alex). But like Trish pointed out: “You don’t have to be a sailor to appreciate the beauty of these ships. Tallships are a part of history, which makes them interesting for everyone.” The morning fog lifted and the historic tallships emerged from the haze. The brigantines and schooners lurked through the calm water like relics from another time. A blend of romance and history lingered in the air as “Cassiopeia” weaved through the tallships. Our crew cheered as we watched the strangely-shaped tallship sails fill with wind. The 297-ft “Cuauhtemoc” was the largest and most un-pronounceable ship in the 2005 Tallships LA Festival. Currently operated as a training vessel by the Mexican Navy, the “Cuauhtemoc” has logged over 400,000 miles since she was built in Spain in 1982. Diane enjoyed watching the gallant ships sail by imagining what it would be like to hoist the sails of the wooden boats back in the 17th century. “It was impressive to see the sailors walk along the lines and climb the masts,” said Diane. “Watching the tallships gave me a better appreciation of the work that goes into sailing a ship. I can imagine what a nightmare it would be to get those cumbersome sails up and down in a storm. Sailing is not like driving a car; you can’t just turn on the engine and go. The complicated process of sailing makes it seem more like an art form than a sport.” The tallships were apart of the 2005 Tallship Challenge that started in Vancouver and will end later this month in San Diego. The Tallship LA Festival turned the San Pedro waterfront in into a nautical amusement park from Aug 11-14th. The tallships were open all weekend for free public viewing and many people bought tickets to sail on the majestic and graceful ships. To find out more about the Tallships in Los Angeles click on www.tallshipsla.org. Click on each picture to see it full size. read comments (0) | write comment| views: 5803    | rated: 0.0    printer-friendly version   Karem, Diane, Cherie and Trish (and a bunch of friends!) sail alongside fifteen of the world's most cherished tallships. The 297-ft "Cuauhtemoc" was Trish's favorite ship because it was immaculate and the crew was traditionally dressed. The Mexican ship was even playing fiesta music! Rennie brings his 65-ft Swan 'Cassiopeia' into LA Harbor to get a better view of the tallships under sail. Cherie surrounded by billowing canvas of a tallship. *Photo by Norm. Gabi behind the helm. And we thought we had a good view! He has the best "seat" in the house. No one ever said sailing was a comfortable sport. Two ships passing in the light. Now Alex is at the helm of 'Cassiopeia'. Diane with the 145-ft 'Californian' behing her. The topsail schooner carries 7,000 square feet of canvass. Norm and Trish. Anne and Karem. Tallships lurk through the calm water like relics from another time. Rennie and Anne don't need an excuse to go out sailing. It's their favorite sport! Cherie at sea. *Photo by Norm. Diane and Scott. Everyone smiles in the cockpit. Gabi is free like the wind. The tallships parade around the port of Los Angeles. Greg is the Captain of the day! Here's how to get over your fear of heights. These sailors need an extra helping of courage to do their job. The 297-ft “Cuauhtemoc” was the largest and most un-pronounceable ship in the 2005 Tallships LA Festival. Cherie and Karem. Scott. Ahoy! Wat's that over there? What flag is that? Alex has fun in the sun. Trish. Sailing into the sun. Tallships are romantic. *Photo by Norm. Look at all those ships! Trish, Diane and Anne. Sailing by. Norm makes a toast to the historic ships. Rennie and Anne on the bow. “You don’t have to be a sailor to appreciate the beauty of these ships,” said Trish. “Tallships are a part of history, which makes them interesting for everyone,” said Trish. Gabi and a tallship. Her sails come down. Karem and Cherie. A mighty pretty ship, she is. Alex. Is that ship going to fit under the bridge? Disaster averted...I guess the ‘Cuauhtemoc’ fits. Tallships invade Los Angeles! Currently operated as a training vessel by the Mexican Navy, the “Cuauhtemoc” has logged over 400,000 miles since she was built in Spain in 1982. Let's go that way! A smile from Gabi. Rennie and Anne. Can you imagine getting those sails up and down in a storm? Everybody knows his name. Norm. Cherie and Karem. Welcome! Trish. The lighthouse in LA Harbor. Once used by pirates and explorers, tallships are now used for education, public service and ceremonial events. Sailing by. Gabi takes a rest, sailing is hard work! The Port of LA. Even Spiderman wears a PFD. Tallships blend romance with history and then sail off into the sunset. A quick photo from the dock. A tallship sail close up. Diane on a cannon. For those ships without cannons, the amunition of choice is water-ballons. Lighting the cannon. Don't mess with this ship. All aboard the 'Cuauhtemoc'. Coiled lines on the ‘Cuauhtemoc’. The gang on shore in San Pedro. Norm photographs the tallship.