The year 2000 will be witness to many celebrations, one of the most notable being the tall ship event organised by the ISTA, with crews from all over the world.

Sailing simultaneously from Southampton and Genoa, two of the most famous and historical ports in the world, the ships will converge at the three-thousand year-old port of Cadiz. From there they will embark on the Atlantic race, calling at Bermuda, Boston and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Finally they will complete the voyage by sailing to Amsterdam, yet another traditional port rich in maritime history.

As King of Spain, the country from which the most intrepid Atlantic explorers embarked on their voyages, followed by those who discovered the Americas and first circumnavigated the globe, I send my best wishes and congratulations to the organisers of this unique event.

As a keen sailor, I would encourage the participants in this challenge, especially the young people, to embark on this adventure by emulating the spirit of mariners past. Thus their seafaring experience will be enriched, as will mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of the world. This is the vision we must bring with us into the next millennium.

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