Final dash for the Line in Shetland Round Britain and Ireland Race

Having anchored overnight to wait for wind and tide to be in their favour, the leading yachts in the Shetland Round Britain and Ireland Race are now under way. After almost 2,000 miles of sailing, things have got even more interesting in the final stage of the last leg to Plymouth.

The race is run every four years, and 2010 looks set to be one of the most successful ever. This year, as last year, the race has been sponsored by Shetland Islands Council.

All of the first four, all Class 40’s, have passed Salcombe as of 11.00 today (25 June), but while the leader Sungard Front Arena and close followers Pheshaya-Racing and Solo are currently not making over 2 knots, Alex Bennett and Malcolm Dickinson in Fujifilm are further out and making between 4 and 6 knots.

The first boat over the line at the Royal Western Yacht Club at Queen Anne’s Battery, Plymouth, is expected to come in at midday today. The champagne is already on ice, and an excited and expectant welcoming committee from the RWYC are standing by.

Follow the last nail-biting minutes on our live tracking page.