General, 22 April 2020
SAIL Amsterdam 2020 cancelled
Amsterdam, April 22 2020 – SAIL Amsterdam 2020 (12-16 August) has been cancelled. SAIL fully respects the measures the authorities are taking to combat the spread of the virus, including a ban on organised events until September 1. These measures unfortunately make it impossible to host SAIL. In close consultation with the City of Amsterdam, Port of Amsterdam, the province of Noord-Holland and other partners, we have taken the difficult decision to delay this year’s event and organise SAIL again in 2025.
We would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to prepare for #SAIL2020. ‘We have been forced to take this decision with a heavy heart but we are nevertheless convinced this is the only right decision to take,’ said Arie Jan de Waard, chairman of the SAIL Amsterdam Foundation. ‘We would like to ask everyone who has been looking forward to SAIL for their understanding at this time. And we would like to thank all the Tall Ships, our maritime heritage, the crews, sponsors, partners, volunteers and the SAIL team for all their involvement and their efforts. We are going all out with the City of Amsterdam to make sure that SAIL returns in 2025 in all its glory. SAIL will then be in its 10thedition and one of the main events in celebrations to mark 750 years of the city of Amsterdam. It will also be 50 years since the very first SAIL was held.’
POSTPONEMENT WAS NOT AN OPTION
We did of course look into delaying SAIL, but unfortunately this was not realistic. At the moment it is impossible to say with any certainty that a mass event like SAIL could be organised safely next year. More than that, international Tall Ships have other commitments and may not have been available. SAIL wants to remain the largest freely accessible event in the Netherlands and the support of our partners and sponsors is key. They have indicated, understandably, that their priorities are elsewhere in the coming period, but they would like to help build a jubilee edition in 2025.
SETTLING OUTSTANDING ISSUES
The SAIL organisers will do everything in the coming period to make sure that all outstanding issues are settled carefully and correctly. We will be in contact with all private individuals and companies who booked packages in the coming weeks. Careful handling of all agreements takes time and we would ask everyone involved for patience and understanding in this exceptional situation. For questions about bookings, SAIL can be reached via hospitality@saileventpartners.nl
Press inquiries: Jan Driessen 06- 11 33 15 00 or Chris Janssen 06- 12 02 77 68
General questions: 020 – 2371688
Volunteers, please contact: 020 – 2371681
