News / First yachts sets course record
THE FIRST yacht to arrive in Lerwick in the third leg of the Shetland Rounfd Britain & Ireland Race is on course to beat the race record.
Will Claxton and Matt Gill on board the trimaran Paradox arrived at 11.40am on Wednesday, five hours ahead of their nearest rival SunGard, which is leading the Class 40 yachts.
A flotilla of around 50 vessels set off from Plymouth on 6 June and have already had two stopovers at Kinsale and Barra on their way to Shetland where they have a two day stop before setting off for Yarmouth.
The Paradox crew survived an adventure north of Muckle Flugga, the UK’s norenmost tip, when their spinnaker wrapped itself around the forestay and while one climbed the mast the other climbed the forestay to release it.
Mr Claxton said: “It’s been pretty rough, but it’s been a nice downhill ride. It’s been very wet and extremely cold, but it’s been pretty fast sailing.”
Around 4.40pm the Italian entry SunGard skippered by Marco Nannini and Paul Peggs sailed into port closely followed by Solo, Fujifilm and Phesheya.
Race spokeswoman Vianney Searle said: “So far Paradox is on course to make the race record. They are definitely the fastest boat ever into Lerwick.”
Douglas Irvine, of race sponsors Shetland Islands Council, said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming every sailor and we want to make sure they have a decent rest after such tough racing. Lerwick is the half way mark in this most challenging of ocean races and they all deserve a good break.”
The race can be followed on the tracking page at www.shetlandmarinas.com.
Meanwhile 37 yachts are on their way to Lerwick from Bergen sailing into light westerly winds as part of the annual Shetland-Bergen race. Their progress can be followed at http://shetland-race.no/ and the first vessels are expected to arrive late on Thursday.
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