News / First over the line
THE FIRST yacht to cross the finishing line in Lerwick in this year’s Shetland Race from Bergen was 2012 winner Solo, at least 10 hours ahead of their nearest competitor.
Skipper Rune Aasberg and Simen Løvgren arrived in Lerwick harbour at 11.43am after 23 hours and 43 minutes at sea, leaving their nearest competitor 80 nautical miles behind.
According to race watchers, a combination of good tactics and a fast yacht meant they were first to reach the stronger winds, allowing them to make very good speed through the night.
The next yachts are thought to be 10 to 12 hours away with only a few breaking away from the pack.
It may be a long night for the timekeepers on the finishing line at Lerwick Boating Club with many of the competitors likely to finish overnight.
Slack winds off the Norwegian coast have meant slow progress until reaching the stronger north-easterly winds midway across the North Sea.
A couple of yachts were only leaving the slack wind zone late on Thursday morning, which means they may not finish until later on Friday.
Two yachts have returned to Bergen, meaning there are now 42 remaining in the race.
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