its young participants' lives -- and it will almost certainly prove to be one of the highlights of the year for Bermuda as well.

The sight of square-riggers from all around the world lining Front Street, thousands of young people experiencing Bermuda for the first time and thousands more residents out in force to see these graceful vessels will not be forgotten for a long time.

Nor will the sight of the vessels and the huge spectator fleet parading down the North Shore and starting off for the East Coast from St. David's Head.

For the 150 or so young Bermudians taking part in this event, this will have been a great experience, teaching them lifelong lessons in self-reliance and teamwork.

They will have been seasick and homesick, but they will also have learned the value and joy of teamwork, and should have discovered that you can put differences aside to strive for a common goal.

That lesson -- and the fact that people can endure and do far more than they may believe themselves able to at the outset -- will be invaluable in these young Bermudians' personal and professional lives.

The chance to work and live with people from all around the world, in close and sometimes uncomfortable quarters is also a great life experience, which should show that much more unites us than divides us.

Bermuda may be a tourism destination, but the Tall Ships visitors are a far cry from those who normally step off the plane at the Airport.

Younger and hailing from all around the world, the crews, especially those from Eastern European nations, were poorer as well; and there have been some heartwarming stories this week about Bermudians opening their hearts, doors and sometimes their wallets to these young adventurers. There is no doubt that the sailors will take warm memories with them back home, and some will want to return to the Island for a real holiday.

This newspaper has long advocated the idea that the Hamilton waterfront should not be used primarily as a car park and should be opened up for kiosks, waterside cafes and strolling musicians.

Anyone who walked along Front Street on any evening last week will agree with the logic of this idea; the atmosphere of the harbourfront was electric and can be repeated on every summer night if the Corporation of Hamilton has the will to make it happen.

The Corporation does deserve credit for helping to make this year's Tall Ships event such a success, as does the Government. Both bodies spent a considerable amount of money to ensure the Tall Ships came and had a successful visit. It was well spent.

The local Tall Ships 2000 Committee also deserves credit as do the hundreds of volunteers who ensured that the visiting crews had everything and more than they needed.

Indeed, there is only one criticism of the Race and that was something that was out of the local organisers' hands. Those who remember past races will know that some old friends, such as the Danmark , Sagres and Eagle did not take part in this race.

When the next Race takes place -- and it should be before 2016 -- it is to be hoped that the International Sail Training Association and the American Sail Training Association can agree to bring together as many tall ships and sail training yachts as possible for a truly great Tall Ships Race.