A MEETING about this year's Tall Ships Race event in Falmouth is expected to take place on Friday, with an announcement about whether it is going ahead hopefully following next week.

Falmouth is scheduled to start the Magellan-Elcano 500 Series 2021 Tall Ships Race on August 19. Up to 40 magnificent sailing vessels are scheduled to arrive in the port to participate.

But the continually changing nature of the Covid pandemic in Europe and the UK has meant the situation has remained fluid.

The organisers of the event are having a meeting with Sail Training International on Friday to discuss the situation. It is hoped an announcement about the event's future will be made the following the meeting.

In April the organisers issued a statement saying: "As there is a continually fluid situation across Europe, and across the globe, with regard to how the COVID pandemic affects 2021 international travel and events, Falmouth Town Council, the Falmouth Town Team, the Falmouth Tall Ships Association and key strategic partners, are in continual liaison with the Tall Ships Races Magellan-Elcano Series 2021 organisers, Tall Ships Races International Ltd (TSRIL), a subsidiary of Sail Training International.

"All major scale international public events, operations and logistical requirements are subject to change in the current climate and the team is working closely together on all details. Should there be a need for any critical changes to the current race, event schedule or makeup, any announcements will be made formally, and in partnership with TSRIL, at the appropriate time."

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Falmouth Tall Ships future remains fluid as Covid epidemic takes its toll in Europe

The race is due to start in Falmouth on August 19 with vessels arriving during the previous week. If it goes ahead the maritime event will mark the sixth time Falmouth has hosted the tall ships, with the inaugural one for the town being held in 1966.