Black Diamond sails back to Hartlepool after returning from The Tall Ships Races

The Black Diamond of Durham return to Hartlepool Marina after recording its best ever performance in the Tall Ships Race. Five of the eight crew members, Jessica Clarke, Micky Early, Rachel Rattigan, Daynor Guerin and skipper Calvyn Whitehand. Picture: CHRIS BOOTH

With flags waving in the sun, the Black Diamond of Durham sailed into Hartlepool Marina after returning from The Tall Ships Races.

She achieved second in her class and a high point saw her sail to up to second in the fleet standings.

The Black Diamond of Durham return to Hartlepool Marina after recording its best ever performance in the Tall Ships Race. Skipper Calvyn White hand greets his girlfriend Rachel Carroll. Picture: CHRIS BOOTH

The ship’s owner Barry Nelson described it as “a massive achievement for the UK and especially for the North East of England.”

He told how Black Diamond has proudly been a part of the Tall Ships Races scene for 20 years, without break.

Skipper Calvyn Whitehand is still passionate about the ship and the event after being a part of it through all of that time.

He said: “It is always good fun and I always make good friends and meet nice people.”

The Black Diamond of Durham return to Hartlepool Marina after recording its best ever performance in the Tall Ships Race. Picture: CHRIS BOOTH

The ship will now be at Hartlepool Marina for a brief stay before she retruns to her local duties of helping more people to learn the art of sailing in the region.

• Black Diamond was second in class C in the race from Sunderland to Esbjerg;

• It was the same result in the second of the two races, from Stavanger to Harlingen. Once again, Black Diamond was the class C runner-up to Hosanna and even got up to second in the whole fleet;

• Black Diamond finished fourth overall in this year’s races on a corrected time of 10 days, 3 hours, 46 minutes and 17 seconds;

• The only ships ahead of her, in the corrected results, were the Russian giant Mir (overall winner), the Hosanna in second, and the Jolie Brise from the UK.

Calvyn also paid tribute to his crew which included sail trainees from Sunderland who, he said, had gelled together well.

They were a mix of new faces and some who had been on the Black Diamond previously.

The ship’s latest achievements join its growing catalogue of successes which include the honour of Outstanding Achievement For Commitment To The Races, which was awarded just months ago.

And then, just last month, the Black Diamond team won the trophy for the best fancy dress in class C, after the crew took part in the Crew Parade at Tall Ships Sunderland dressed as Captain Birdseye and a bag of chips.