Shetland comes up trumps for SRBI 2010 racers

Lerwick Harbour proved itself equal to its own challenge at thisweekend's (19 – 20 June) halfway stage in the Shetland Round Britain andIreland Race, sponsored by Shetland Islands Council.

As well as berthing all of the competitors in the 2,000 mile contest, run every four years, the harbour also accommodated almost 40 boats in the Shetland – Bergen race, making nearly 90 boats and crews that had to befound space and looked after.

Coastguard teams also reacted quickly to move 30 yachts to safety as a strong northerly began to buffet them prompting a 999 call from one of the skippers. Prompt action resulted in only superficial damage to a few of the Class 40 yachts.

Douglas Irvine, Business Development Manager for Shetland Islands Council, said: "The combination of professional facilities and traditional hospitality offered by Lerwick Harbour make it the ideal place for the 48 hour stopover in the Shetland Round Britain and Ireland Race, and for other sport and leisure sailors throughout the season. We were very pleased to welcome the racers from Bergen too, and to celebrate the stage winners of both the SRBI and Shetland – Bergen race in our Flavour of Shetland marquee on Victoria Pier."

He added: "We entertained the crews with live bands, great food, a carnival procession and fish and chips at 3.00am. It hasn't stopped the lead boats getting under way. The racing is very close and all of the competitors are displaying the very highest standards of seamanship and professionalism."

Nearly all of the competing Class 40's have finished the fourth leg and have arrived at Lowestoft. First in was SunGard Front Arena, skippered by Marco Nannini and Paul Peggs, extending their lead to two hours over Plymouth yachtsman Alex Bennett in Fujifilm, co-skippered by Malcolm Dickinson. The lead multihull is expected to be Cornish-built trimaran Paradox. The Lerwick to Lowestoft leg saw the competitors battling with strong winds and big waves in the North Sea:

"It's been a real tough leg, physically, we had to drive the boat by hand all the way and it required a lot of concentration in the heavy seas, we kept the pace through the rough and I was so pleased to see us coming in first, the pressure is now on for the last leg to Plymouth" commented skipper Marco Nannini.

You can follow the progress of the race on the live tracking page of the shetlandmarinas.com website, and at www.rbandi.com where you will also find news, photographs, video and competitors blogs.