The Spirit of Bermuda has set sail on her first transatlantic crossing.

The sloop left Hamilton Harbour amid cheers from spectators on the first leg of her voyage to the Azores. From there she will head to Portugal and then Spain, to take part in the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 on May 3.

Malcolm Kirkland, executive director of the Bermuda sloop Foundation, said: "This will be our most challenging voyage yet. It is our first offshore voyage operating in northern latitudes, up to 40 degrees north, and we have purchased thirty 'survival suits', taking us over and above safety requirements.

"This is all about a challenging, mission-critical, operating community, with all the best safety 'nets'."

John Wadson, director of Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge, and Sutherland Madeiros, Mayor of Hamilton, also joined family members, friends and supporters to bid the crew 'bon voyage' as it sailed out of the harbour in southwesterly 22-28 knot winds.

The first port of call for the Spirit will be in Horta and then Ponta Delgada in the Azores. The ship will then sail on to Porto in Portugual before heading to Vigo, Spain, for the start of the race.

Bermuda Sloop Foundation official Jay Kempe said the first transatlantic leg will be a pilgrimage to honour Bermuda's strong cultural ties with the Azores.

The Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 race has been planned around Bermuda's 400th anniversary of permanent settlement, and its links with the Azores stretch back to the 1840s.

The family of 16-year-old crew member Brian Bulhoes originates from Ponta Delgada, and the teenager a world-class U16 sailor, will meet some of his relatives on arrival. Also crewing onboard are five Bermuda Regiment soldiers and three employees from the Department of Marine and Ports.

Mr. Kirkland said: "This is important for us. These two institutions are strategic partners and offer important disciplined training for young Bermudians. We are really delighted to have them aboard."

The Spirit of Bermuda has eight professional crew members under Captain Simon Colley, and 15 trainees.

Four public school students: Vershon Simmons, 16; Michael Byron, 15; Cameron Joseph, 16; and Denzel Todd, 18, will crew both transatlantic crossings, travelling some 7,000 nautical miles.

On May 3, Spirit will race from Vigo to Tenerife in the Canary Islands before embarking on the second race of the series to Bermuda.

She will then continue on to Charleston, South Carolina, and Boston, before heading to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The ship will then return to Bermuda to commemorate the landing of the Sea Venture in the shipwreck of July 28, 1609.

Brian Bulhoes' passage has been sponsored by D and J Construction.

Donald Smith, a CedarBridge Academy student, will join the Kruzenshtern on the Bermuda-Charleston leg of the race.

The 17-year-old has been sponsored by Meyer Group of Companies and Bermuda International Shipping Ltd.

Cheryl Hayward-Chew, Meyer Group of Companies president said: "As companies actively associated with Bermuda's maritime heritage, we are proud to represent this young Bermudian.

"Donald has shown such enthusiasm and willingness to support the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge and we are sure it will be an experience that he will never forget."

The Kruzenshtern is the second largest sail training tall ship in the world. A Russian 114.5 metre four-masted barque, she has distinctive black and white sides, a feature used by eastern trading ships to imitate gunports and so repel pirates.

Up to two dozen tall ships from Europe, the US, Canada and Latin America are expected to take part in the Bank of Bermuda Foundation Bermuda Tall Ships Festival, from June 11-15. Tall Ships Bermuda invites youngsters to apply for a sail training adventure on one of the tall ships. Sponsorship is available for people aged 15-30.

For more information and an application form visit: www.tallshipsbermuda.com.