Major Thames event launches for Olympic summer 2012

Sail Royal Greenwich

Between 25^th July and 12^th August 2012, London will be host to sixteen spectacular Tall Ships. Starting with a Parade of Sail on 25th July - during which 200 additional boats will take part - the Tall Ships will be sailing twice daily on the River Thames. Culinary delights, by Michelin starred chefs Richard Corrigan and Ron Blauuw, will be served aboard.

With the London Olympic Games as the backdrop, the ships will depart from Royal Arsenal Pier at Woolwich, cruising past landmarks old and new: the Thames Barrier, the O2, Canary Wharf and historic Maritime Greenwich towards Tower Bridge and the Pool of London. This unique event offers the perfect opportunity for corporate hospitality, networking, team building and brand launches aboard historic ships ranging in capacity from 20 to 135 people.

Will Broome, CEO London Launch, says:  “Sail Royal Greenwich is quite simply the most stunning corporate entertaining opportunity London has seen for many years. It not only offers the opportunity for delegates and guests to see London from the most magical perspective, but also offers one of the most dramatic and beautiful venues the City has ever seen—a flotilla of magnificent Tall Ships—offering the ultimate corporate entertainment and a lasting legacy for your brand. This is one unique invitation that your guests will certainly not want to miss.”

Additional information

Hospitality

Menus are exclusively designed by Richard Corrigan, of Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Grill restaurant plus the award-winning Corrigan's Mayfair, and Ron Blauuw, well known for Michelin starred restaurant Blaauw and also catering SAIL Amsterdam 2010. Sail Royal Greenwich expects to cater to more than 20,000 people during the event and our Executive Chefs will assisted by students from local Shooters Hill Catering College.

Ron Blaauw: 'My part will be that people have a wonderful event of great food and drinks on a wonderful place in London—the Thames. It’s a great adventure and I love it.'

Richard Corrigan: 'It's a wonderful opportunity for the students at Shooters Hill to participate in a truly breath taking event. Tall Ships, London, the Thames, the Olympics: I mean what more could you want?’

Tall Ships

Most of the fleet carefully chosen for Sail Royal Greenwich originate from Holland, where they take great pride in their great sailing heritage.  The ships have been selected for their authenticity and for their excellent hospitality facilities. These ships will include the original three-masted schooner Oosterschelde (1917/1922), the fast clipper Stad Amsterdam (2000) and the Wylde Swan; a winner at this years Tall Ship races.

Sailing Programmes

Sail Royal Greenwich 2012 starts with a reception at The Greenwich Heritage Centre in the historic Royal Arsenal, used by Henry VIII as a Royal Dockyard in the 16th century. Once aboard, guests will set course up river, cruising past stunning views of London. Ships will pass the modern landmarks of the Thames Barrier, the O2 Arena and Canary Wharf. Crossing from east to west, the historic sights of  the Old Royal Naval College, the Royal Observatory, Greenwich Park and the Cutty Sark will be seen to port. Tower Bridge is the half-way mark in the voyage.   Each trip will have a dedicated guide to help point out the sights and provide a commentary.

Gordon Innes, CEO of London & Partners commented:  “The River Thames will be a hub of activity during the Olympic Games. Give your guests an unforgettable trip along London’s famous river on-board a stunning Tall Ship. You’ll cruise past London landmarks such as The O2, The Thames Barrier, the Old Royal Naval College and sail under the iconic Tower Bridge as if opens for your ship.”

Paulus Mooyman, Director of Sail Royal Greenwich added:  “Sail Royal Greenwich will bring unique opportunities for corporate hospitality on the fleet of specially selected Tall Ships. These ships will be very suitable for corporate hospitality especially in combination with the top level catering, sailing route and the Olympic atmosphere in London in summer 2012.”

Councillor Chris Roberts, Leader of Greenwich Council, said:  “The presence of so many of  these stunning Tall Ships on the Thames is a celebration of London and Greenwich’s maritime history. Cruising close to the main Olympic sites, these ships provide a great opportunity to showcase  London’s best qualities at a time of International  focus on the Capital.”

The event is in partnership with, Greenwich Council and its Festivals, with a contract for more events over the next 15 years. It is organised by Sail Greenwich Ltd, a maritime company formed by industry professionals for the inaugural Sail Royal Greenwich event in 2012, part of the same company that organized hospitality during SAIL Amsterdam 2010, the biggest nautical event in the world. 

For more information please contact our team in Greenwich:

Sail Greenwich Ltd.

10th floor - 6 mitre passage, Peninsula Square, London se10 0er

Tel 0203 040 2350  -  Fax. 0208 853 5671