- This gift allows one of Norway's and Southern Norway's most significant cultural treasures to undergo the repairs needed to get the ship ready for the Tall Ships Races in Kristiansand in 2025.

Says a touched Knut Arne Gjertsen, CEO of the Foundation The Ship Sørlandet. The foundation owns the training ship, which is the world's oldest full rigger in year-round operation. The almost 97-year-old ship needs extensive maintenance to renew its sailing licenses.

- The costs are estimated at NOK 34 million, and after commitments from the municipality, the county council and the ministry, there remained a financing requirement that we have worked hard to put in place. The ship must be placed at Bredalsholmen dokk og fartøyvernsenter now this summer, and the gift from Sparebanken Sør came just before the deadline for entering into the agreement with Bredalsholmen. We are extremely grateful!

Kristiansand Municipality's project manager for Tall Ships Races, Marianne Osmundsen Tronstad, is also delighted that The Ship Sørlandet will now be ready for the summer of 2025. That's when Kristiansand Municipality will organize Tall Ships Races for the third time.

- The municipality is a co-owner of Skoleskipet Sørlandet and we are therefore particularly relieved to hear the good news that the financing is in place. People at Sørlandet are fond of this beautiful ship, and it will be extra special to have it as a attraction in the summer of 2025. It's really great that the ship will now be able to sail for many years to come," says Tall Ships Races 2025 project manager Marianne Osmundsen Tronstad, who also extends a big thank you to Sparebanken Sør for providing funding.