Sailing with a capital “s”: 24 hours aboard Pogoria
For Poland’s national sailing team, a 24-hour voyage aboard the tall ship Pogoria turned into much more than just a training exercise. Designed as an eye-opener, the short but intense passage offered young athletes – many used only to small Olympic dinghies and boards – a first taste of “big ship” sailing, with its traditions, challenges, and unique camaraderie.
In brief
The sailing ship Pogoria took the National Team of the Polish Yachting Association on a 24-hour training cruise from Gdynia, during which the crew covered 60 nautical miles. Representatives of Olympic classes, including iQFOiL, Formula Kite and 49erFX, were on board, learning night watches, flag hoisting and galley work. Pogoria's captain Katarzyna Domańska, vice president of the Polish Yachting Association, stressed that the programme of a week-long cruise was fitted into 24 hours in solid wind conditions.
From doubt to enthusiasm
On Sunday morning, junior representatives from classes such as iQFOiL, Formula Kite and 49erFX boarded the vessel with a mixture of fatigue and uncertainty. By Monday, despite lack of sleep and demanding conditions, they stepped ashore with wide smiles.
Life on Pogoria meant learning a completely new vocabulary – mizzen, jibs, square sails – as well as the routines of a tall ship: flag ceremonies, watchkeeping, and standing respectful to the captain. Night watches in strong winds, rolling bunks, galley duties, and even seasickness proved testing, but also built resilience. Steering a 50-metre vessel under sail, with its inertia and delayed helm response, was a revelation for sailors used to quick, agile dinghies.
A compressed offshore experience
– What normally takes us seven or eight days at sea, we had to deliver in just 24 hours. It was demanding, but the athletes rose to the challenge, said captain Katarzyna Domańska, vice president of the Polish Yachting Association (PYA).
Leszek Kostański of the Academy for Coaches and Athletes added: – It’s a completely different world compared to racing a small boat. Harsh conditions, cold, wind – all of it was a fantastic lesson. That’s exactly what our programme is about: showing athletes the many faces of sailing.
Pogoria as a flagship of Polish sailing
The voyage concluded with a press conference hosted by the Polish Tourist Organisation at Gdynia’s Marina Yacht Park, summarising Pogoria’s season. Tomasz Chamera, vice president of World Sailing, noted: – The Polish Yachting Association can be proud of this vessel and the way it is used to inspire the next generation of sailors.
Built as a training ship and operated by the Pomeranian Yachting Association, Pogoria is a frequent participant in international tall ships events such as the Tall Ships Races. For Poland’s young national sailors, the 60 miles covered in 24 hours were not just a test of endurance, but a reminder that sailing is more than competition – it is tradition, community, and a lifelong passion.
As the organisers emphasise: sailing is one. From the Olympic arena to the open sea, each experience is part of the same maritime journey.
Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Oskar Wojciechowski
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