'Amerigo Vaspucci' starts Tall Ships race of La Corruna, Spain

Amerigo Vespucci looks like a castle afloat that no wind or wave could disturb.

The Italian Navy named their training ship after the cartographer who’s name was used to name the continent. She is very popular in port with her immaculately dressed officers and naval trainees. Don’t all the girls want to marry a sailor?

Here she has just crossed the start line of the second Tall Ships Race off La Corunna in 2006 and she is still setting her fores’le. Unfortunately the North East wind blew against the ships setting sail for Northern Europe and Amsterdam. Many retired and Amerigo Vespucci was amongst the first.