News / Dutch gales scupper yacht visit
LERWICK Port Authority said that they are still upbeat about the busiest week of the yachting season, despite the disappointment that 39 yachts participating in the Dutch North Sea Triangle Challenge had cancelled.
The yachts were due to arrive in Lerwick harbour from Tuesday this week, but due to gale force winds near the Dutch coast at the weekend, the start of the race had to be postponed by 48 hours and Lerwick was chopped off the itinerary.
Port chief executive Sandra Laurenson said everybody was now looking forward to welcome almost 50 yachts that take part in the annual Bergen – Shetland race.
Now in its 25th year, the yachts will leave Bergen on Wednesday evening and the first are expected to reach Shetland by Thursday night. After a weekend in the isles, they will race back to Bergen leaving Lerwick on Sunday morning at 11am.
That race will also include 15 European yachts – among them Vandal, skippered by Lerwick businessman Leslie Irvine – competing in the biennial 1,000 mile doublehanded race which sails from Scheveningen, in Holland, to Bergen and then on to Lerwick.
Ms Laurenson said: “It is disappointing the North Sea Triangle Challenge hasn’t been able to come to Shetland this year, and we are looking forward to welcoming them back to Lerwick.
“We had to cancel the event that had been organised for Wednesday and Thursday for them, but nevertheless, as of Thursday evening we have got the annual Bergen to Shetland race combined with the 1,000 miles, and I am sure that that will be a big weekend.”
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the race, organisers have laid on a prize giving event and a book launch at Lerwick Boating Club.
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