Here is the list of merits:

- 1956 - Torbay - Lisbon, 2nd prize.
- 1960 - Oslo - Ostend, 2nd prize.
- 1962 - Torbay - Brittany Coast - Rotterdam, 2nd prize.
- 1964 - Lisbon-Bermuda, 4th prize
- 1966 - Falmouth- Skagen (100th anniversary of the Royal Danish Yacht Club), 1st prize.
- 1968 - Gothenburg- "Ocean Viking" in the North Sea - Kristiansand, 2nd prize.
- 1980 - Fredrikshavn- Amsterdam, 4th prize.
- 1980 - Kiel - Karlskrona.

As you can see, there have been more 2nd places, and that means that Sørlandet has come close to winning on a couple of occasions. Nils Arntsen was chief mate for 10 years from 1954 before taking over as captain. Like his famous predecessors, he was used to steering a ship that was independent of the engine. He developed into a skilled captain in these races.

Then Sørlandet joined the races, the ship had poor finances that did not really allow for such "extravagances". The training ship institution did not see itself in a position to cover the expenses when it came to participating in the great international race from Torbay to Lisbon in 1956. The race was covered with great interest in the mass media, and many nations took part. Our Nordic neighbors Sweden and Denmark were among others represented. For a long time there was a danger that Norway would not be able to take part due to the poor finances of the training ships.

It was expected that this might be the last major international sailing ship parade, and it would be a bloody shame if the maritime power Norway were to miss out. For Sørlandet there was talk of raising an extra 100,000 kroner. Fædrelandsvennen, through journalist Steen Benneche, took on the task of collecting funds, and it was to be a kroner roll that really struck a chord. The necessary sum of money came in and Sørlandet set off. The effort was impeccable. A 2nd place in the exquisite international company was equal to victory. Honorable mentions were given to the ship and crew, and it would turn out that this was only the beginning of several successful racing voyages. In 1960, Sørlandet on the verge of winning.

The reporting service wasn't that good back then, and for a while we were sure we had won, but we didn't have the margins on our side, says Captain Nils Arntsen.

The 1968 Sail Training Association regatta was of particular interest to Sørlandet . Kristiansand was the host city after the end of the voyage that went from Gothenburg-Ocean Viking in the North Sea - Kristiansand. The King arrived in the city with his ship to present the prizes. Kristiansand received an excellent certificate for an event that was carried out in an exemplary manner. The King visited the training ships, and when he came aboard the Sørlandet , he was presented with his own name feature in the ship's guest book. It had been almost 35 years to the day since he had last been aboard the Sørlandet , The king was well informed about Sørlandet's results. And he could assure himself that the ship was just as fine, the brass just as shiny, the decks just as freshly scrubbed and officers and boys in parade uniform, just as smart and sharp as those who manned the ship 35 years ago.

The king was well informed about the events of the trip and was particularly interested in one yard which had to be splinted during the regatta - it was a piece of seamanship that the King knew how to appreciate. The royal visit was the highlight of the trip for the crew of Sørlandet , no doubt about it. All in all, there were some brilliant days of sailing in Kristiansand. Unfortunately, first place went to waste as Gorch Fock managed to get ahead, but Sørlandet's 2nd place was highly respected.

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The absolute highlight of these Tall Ship Races was the victory of Sørlandet in 1966 at the 100th anniversary of the Royal Danish Yacht Club when the race went from Falmouth to Skagen. The race was covered in advance with great interest in the media, and it was a race that went by extra quickly. A total of 27 vessels completed the 800 nautical miles, approx. 1450 km, and Sørlandet became the winner of the full riggers' race, the most prestigious class. Norway triumphed greatly by taking the first three places at Sørlandet , Christian Radich and Statsraad Lehmkuhl. Then the Danes followed with Denmark and Georg Stage. There were congratulatory telegrams from King Olav and Crown Prince Harald who followed what was happening, and Sørlandet was in focus, among other things, on British TV which covered the race. The entire region rejoiced at the ship's victory. Thousands of people gave the ship a brilliant reception on its return.

- We were lucky this time, we won, said a modest Nils Arntsen who, in addition to being lucky, also showed great cleverness and skill in these voyages. - The most important thing of all is that we have returned home and can hand over all these boys safely to their parents, he said.

And it is quite remarkable that so many young men - some reckless and a bit rowdy, others insecure and anxious - were able to escape from their work in rigging and yards , and in all kinds of weather without a single serious accident in all these years.

For the people on board Sørlandet The Falmouth triumph was as big a highlight as Operation Sail and the 1964 New York World's Fair when all three Norwegian heavy-riggers "paraded" simultaneously at the same pier.

The American expeditions naturally stand out in a special way. As with the Chicago exhibition in 1933, Norway did not have a stand at the World's Fair in New York in 1964, but again it more than made up for it with sails. That the seafaring nation Norway met with all three of its square rigged ships , where all other countries brought one, and the fact that the Norwegian boys were toddlers compared to the adult cadets on other ships also played a role. Therefore, it was the Norwegians who dominated the picture during the festivities in New York. Thousands upon thousands visited the school ships. A large-scale march up Broadway acted as a pure triumphal procession for the boys and was perhaps the greatest experience.

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The well-being of the students was always at the forefront of these voyages, whether it was for representation or racing. Safety came first, and safety was really put to the test during the worst storm. Sørlandet has been out in. It happened on Sunday, September 21, 1969. The hurricane escaped as if from a bag. The newspapers had to use the biggest headlines to describe the "hurricane of the century."

It may be interesting to see what Fædrelandsvennen's maritime employee, Steen Benneche, wrote about what happened:

“The worst storm we've had in fifty years!

Then there was also a bit of a storm. The streets were strewn with roof tiles to the extent that they had not fallen on parked cars. The roads were blocked by wind-blown tree trunks and telephone and electricity lines were swept away like a tangled string of ice. The roof blew off the gymnasium of our most modern and - presumably - most expensive school. It was life-threatening for the children to go to school that day.

There were 200 ships in port of refuge in the harbor. 200 super modern, powerful hulls that impressed us and gave the impression that they could cope with any sea, and with a machine power that one would think made them quite safe. But in such weather - and no one should suspect them of it - they thought it best to seek port of refuge. Yes, there was a lot to write about in the newspapers, there were storm reports all over the front pages.

Just the school ship « Sørlandet » was not mentioned. Not apart from the usual notice that comes in when the 40-year-old ship is on voyage "All is well on board," it said.

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« Sørlandet » was lying in the middle of a storm-whipped North Sea, fighting gray waves with white foam crests. « Sørlandet » rose into the seas and the water eroded around the deck covers and bilge ports. The rigging was beeping like an organ, and the few sails that could be moved fluttered madly in the gusts of wind. All was well on board.

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Well, it hasn't been exactly pleasant on board. But " Sørlandet » is not only forty years old, it is built on a thousand years of sailing ship experience. Such experience also includes stormy days as they can occur at fifty-year intervals. As long as there is enough space at sea, there is nothing, literally no weather that was not foreseen when the keel was laid and the ship was constructed.

The commander and permanent crew know the ship inside and out. A North Sea storm is completely routine. Maybe it was a little worse this time. Maybe it was necessary to command 66 new seamen below deck. The ship's permanent crew managed so well. A mainsail was torn, and Captain Arntsen probably said something very unpedagogical on that occasion. But still, it is cheaper to patch a mainsail than to put a new roof on Grim School. And - best of all - it is safer for 66 boys on board a sailing ship than if they were to set off on their way to school when a storm is blowing.

Every one of the boys knew that. At least they learned that during a short first voyage course - you trust a good ship and a good skipper. It's a shame they haven't had it on a wobbly banjer where seasickness has taken its toll. They must not have been so high-spirited when they were called back on deck to set sail. But it's strange about that - at 10 knots and all sails set and with the water gurgling in the scuttles - yes, then you're sailing. And when you're under twenty, a healthy sail can make up for a seasick night.

Or maybe not. Perhaps the worst storm in fifty years has made some people reconsider their career choice. The sea may not be the right thing for them. No one should blame them for that, it is a very reasonable consideration. But others have learned, precisely from the stormy night, that the sea is the right thing for them. Certainly true, it is with a very positive conclusion to the first voyage course that the sea boys from « Sørlandet » goes ashore.

No need to elaborate on it. But considering all the sensation that the stormy day has been surrounded with, one feels like emphasizing what was not a sensation. The school ship « Sørlandet » rode out the storm with no other comments than "everything on board". 66 young boys were in the middle of the storm - and were safer than the schoolchildren on land. They come home as sailors.

For an outstanding institution the school ship Sørlandet » is. A forty-year-old ship with an instructional staff that is much younger in average age. Then all pundits can tell you that the entire training ship institution is old-fashioned and that sailing ships are a passed stage in maritime development.

But we don't have time for school - so we'll just treat ourselves to a new mainsail every now and then.

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Sørlandet has been out in rough weather later as well. The ship has, among other things, tested its strength with the so-called 100-year wave. This happened on July 4, 1984 after it had set sail from Kristiansand. It was a day of rough weather, but no worse than all ship routines continuing as normal. In the afternoon, the ship was hit by a giant wave that hit from the starboard side and almost "landed" on the port side.

The wave appeared out of nowhere and came as a shock to those on board. Several students were injured, but fortunately not too seriously, although one girl suffered a broken arm and leg, and a boy suffered a bad cut on his hand. Several other students suffered minor bruises and blows, but otherwise escaped with a fright. The ship returned to Kristiansand so that the injured could receive treatment.

The ship also came away without too much damage, but the wave left a "calling card" along the bulwark cladding on the starboard side, which was knocked in along its entire length. A pick-up rescue boat and a lifeboat on the port side were damaged and had to be repaired. Otherwise, everything went well.

Other articles in this series:

• The gift letter that became a national cultural treasure
• A school of a lifetime
• Discipline - order - seamanship
• They came down from the rig and manned our fleet
• School under sail
• "We became men"
• Our youngest Vikings
• "Continuation School" for future sailors
• War, occupation, reconstruction
• Inspiration in art
• Over and out as a training ship
• In 1956, at the age of 14, he took part in the Tall Ships Races
• In triumph - and hurricane
• Famous names behind the ship

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