The Tall Ships Races 2024 Turku – The Anchor Port of the Baltic Sea

Preparations for the event began several years in advance. Turku had already signed the host port agreement for 2021, which would have marked the 25th anniversary of the city’s event. All arrangements had been completed when, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Sail Training International cancelled the entire event only a couple of months before the opening. The event ultimately took place on 18–21 July 2024.

Afterwards, Sail Training International decided to designate the five host ports selected for 2021 as the stages for 2024 without requiring a new application process. In addition, STI included Helsinki as a sixth port based on an application submitted by the City of Helsinki.

The inclusion of a sixth port was described by STI as exceptional and justified by the financial shortfall caused by the cancellations. The sailing race series included the following ports in sailing order: Klaipėda, Helsinki, Tallinn, Turku, Mariehamn, and Szczecin.

On the left, the 2024 route map. The race between the vessels could be followed via GPS tracking. On the right, the race situation on 1 July at 11 a.m.

Another major change was the exclusion of Russian ships and yachts from the competition. Russia had launched a war of aggression against Ukraine, and cooperation between Europe and Russia had come to a standstill. In addition, many Russian sailing vessels were naval training ships or other state-owned vessels. This reduced the number of participating ships by roughly a quarter compared to previous editions.

Furthermore, the tense situation in the Suez Canal may have contributed to the absence of vessels from Oman, Indonesia, India, and other countries in Asia and the Far East.

Large Norwegian Class A square-rigged ships, often seen in Turku, were also not present this time due to shipyard maintenance and other sailing commitments.

Mechanical issues also affected several overseas vessels on this occasion. For example, the Brazilian Navy ship Cisne Branco cancelled its participation after suffering engine failure and remaining in the port of Lisbon. The Ecuadorian Navy’s Guayas also experienced technical problems and withdrew from the first leg in Klaipeda, but was able to join from Helsinki and also arrive in Turku.

As a result, the number of Class A vessels was reduced to six, and the total number of ships in Turku was 60. In the past, Turku has hosted as many as 19 Class A vessels, in 2009.

During the event days, heavy rain showers were experienced, but on the main day, Saturday 20 July, the weather improved and the riverbanks of the Aura River saw record-breaking crowds. Between 10 a.m. and midnight, approximately 150,000 visitors attended. The total attendance for the event was slightly lower than in previous editions, reaching 380,000 visitors and spectators. Nevertheless, the event remained one of the largest in Finland by attendance, together with the Helsinki Tall Ships Race, which attracted around 400,000 visitors.

The Hercules pony visited Barker Park. The Finnish Navy Band also performed at the opening ceremony on 18 July.

Turku had been negotiating for some time with Sail Training International regarding the so-called Anchor Port status. An agreement was reached, and the contract was signed by Mayor Minna Arve ahead of the event opening, during a press conference held aboard the Suomen Joutsen on 17 July 2024.

Under the Anchor Port agreement, the city gains the right to host the event whenever STI organizes the race in the Baltic Sea, without a separate application process—effectively every four years.

The upcoming event years will therefore be 2028 and 2032.

Only one city in Finland can serve as the Anchor Port. Other cities may still apply to host the event if they wish. The agreement also requires active engagement during off-years, including acting as an advisor to emerging host ports, enabling youth participation in sailing, and maintaining exemplary event organization standards.

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In the planning and execution of the event, efforts were made to follow the principles of ecology, circular economy, and accessibility, in cooperation with experts in these fields. Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring a safe and pleasant experience for visitors in the event area.

In a large-scale event held in the city centre, traffic congestion is unavoidable, both for motor vehicles and for pedestrians and cyclists. To address this, a park-and-ride system with shuttle bus connections from Artukainen to the event area was introduced.

Planning of the berthing arrangements began well in advance, immediately after the previous TSR event, when the need for partial dredging of the river was identified. The River Aura had last been dredged approximately 15 years earlier. Dredging is a recurring necessity, as sediments continuously flow into the river from upstream, gradually reducing its depth. With the dredging carried out on this occasion, the quays at Telakkaranta now function well as berthing locations for the largest vessels.

Above is the guide map for the 2024 event.

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On 28 October, the Economic Policy Committee of the Turku Chamber of Commerce awarded the event the “Municipal Act of the Year in Economic Policy” recognition. 

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A lot of programming was held on the stage of the Suomen Joutsen during the event days. On the right is a tintamarresque at the Market Square.

A separate ticketed event held in connection with the Tall Ships Race was the SLOT Festival, organised in Turku Castle Park on 19–20 July. The festival featured both Finnish and international stars. The music programme focused on artists and songs from the 1990s and 2000s. The attendance was approximately 12,000 visitors.

On Saturday, 20 July, record crowds were seen along the banks of the River Aura. The event concluded with the traditional Parade of Sails on the Archipelago Sea on 21 July 2024.