The Spirit of Bermuda proved to be a big hit among those in attendance at the opening ceremonies of OpSail 2012 Virginia.The triple-masted sloop was among the impressive fleet of tall ships proudly on display in the Norfolk.More than 1000 people had the privilege of touring the 118 ft purpose-built sail-training vessel this past weekend.“There were seven trainees and four professional crew hosting and the crowds flowed quite well through the ship for dockside tours,” said LaKai Dill of Bermuda Sloop Foundation. “The trainees have really stepped up to the plate and are taking the lead on presenting the ship.“Crowds flowed from the gangplank to the aft of the ship, where they were greeted by a trainee in the cockpit discussing ship particulars and an overview of our programme.“If guests wished to proceed below deck, they were welcomed by a second trainee who gave them a tour of the navigation room before sending them to others stationed in the galley and forward accommodations.“Trainees have been regaling the guests with their thoughts on the programme and their experiences during the sail up. [Captain Scott Jackson] told the kids that he had heard many positive comments from passersby about how polite and informative our trainees are.“The captain from another tall ship docked nearby even said that people were coming aboard his ship and discussing Spirit of Bermuda more than the one they were on. We certainly appear to be the jewel of this festival.”OpSail 2012 Virginia was held in Yorktown last weekend and moves to Norfolk on Friday.It is a major tall ship and naval rally and port festival celebrating the War of 1812 by declaration of the US Congress.Spirit was invited to participate based on her design, which is the same as the Royal Navy sloops that would’ve fought against the Americans during the time.Both Norfolk and Yorktown have strong historical ties to Bermuda dating from the 18th century and the American Revolution.Norfolk was largely developed by Bermudian merchant mariners in the 18th century and Yorktown, located near Jamestown, is where the British surrendered to the rebel colonies.OpSail 2012 Virginia is a collaboration between Operation Sail Inc (OpSail) national, the United States Navy, Norfolk Festevents, and hundreds of national, state and local organisations.Spirit set sail from Bermuda on May 26 on a three-week ambassadorial mission to the US East Coast with a crew of 17 Bermudian ambassadors.The sloop is due to set sail on the short journey from Yorktown to Norfolk on Thursday.Once the tourism mission in Virginia concludes Spirit will sail up the coast to Newport, Rhode Island to begin preparations for the Newport Bermuda Race.Spirit alone was invited to compete in this year’s 635-nautical mile race in the ‘Spirit of Tradition’ division which is an experiment with the reintroduction of traditional schooner rigged vessels.The ‘Spirit of Tradition’ division will highlight Spirit’s traditional design and the prevalence of the schooner rig in yacht racing in the early years of the Newport Bermuda Race.The Royal Gazette will be among the crew of 32 aboard Spirit for the Newport Bermuda Race and will provide regular updates on the sloop’s progress from Castle Hill, Newport to St David’s, Bermuda on www.theroyalgazette.com.In all, there are four local entries (Nasty Medicine, 40 Degrees, Tiburón and Spirit) competing in this year’s Newport Bermuda Race, which starts June 15.