Passers-by looked expectantly as more than 20 tall ships berthed yesterday along Waterford's quays.
In Dunmore East, 25.7km from the city centre, seven larger vessels formed a "parade of sail" through the mouth of the Waterford estuary.
Among the ships are many of the largest in the world, including the Russian Kruzenshtern, 113.5m in length.
The US was represented by the naval vessel, Eagle, and the Irish by the Dunbrody.
Some had to wait for high tide before sailing up the Suir to Waterford's north and south quays.
Other Irish entries in this year's competition include Asgard II, Jeanie Johnston and Dewaruci (an Indonesian ship adopted by Waterford City Council following last year's tsunami disaster).
The Tall Ships' Races final, which has been running annually since 1956, has entries this year from 21 countries.
A further 60 tall ships, with 3,000 sailors onboard, are expected today.
The vessels will berth in Waterford for the four days to July 9th, before sailing for Cherbourg-Octeville in northern France. Then they sail to Newcastle-Gateshead before leaving for Fredrikstad in Norway.
Organised by Sail Training International, the competition attracts half its sailors from the 15 to 25 age group. Over 70 of this year's trainees were drawn from Irish schools and colleges.
The race is expected to attract 250,000 visitors to Waterford city, while a cash injection of upwards of €20 million is expected over the four days. No parking is allowed in many of the streets but a free park-and- ride bus service will be in operation .
Welcoming the ships, Nicky Fewer, chairman of the team for Waterford's hosting of the Tall Ships' Races said: "There is no precedent in Waterford for a major international event of this magnitude and I'm very confident that everything will run smoothly."
Although Cork and Belfast were visited in 1991 and Dublin in 1998, this is the first time the race will start from an Irish city.
