Community / Weather cancels Parade of Sail and delays flights
Start of the race to Arendal rescheduled for Sunday morning – Meanwhile, tribute band Queen II have arrived in the isles for tonight’s gig
FOG across Shetland is causing delays and cancellations at the final day of the Tall Ships visit.
The Parade of Sail for the ships leaving was due to begin at 11am this morning, but the Tall Ships Races Lerwick have just announced via social media that it is cancelled.
The post says: “We regret to announce that the Parade of Sail for the Tall Ships fleet has been cancelled. This is due to weather conditions and travel delays with joining crew members.
“Some of the ships may still leave the harbour over the course of the day, and some may delay departure until tomorrow.”
Christian Radich is scheduled to leave her berth at 3.30pm, with the Captain Miranda to follow at 5pm and the Bima Suci at 6pm.
The organisers added: “We are disappointed not to be able to share the amazing spectacle of the parade with you, but the safety of the ships and crew must come first.
“This will not be rescheduled.”
Meanwhile the race committee of organisers Sail Training International have rescheduled the start of the race to Arendal, in Norway, to 8am on Sunday morning. this was originally due to take place between 4 and 5pm this afternoon.
The new race start area is further to the south of Lerwick harbour “to ensure a safe and timely arrival of fleet in Arendal”, the committee said.
The weather is also causing havoc at Sumburgh airport this morning.
The first flight to Aberdeen was cancelled and the second delayed. Trips to Edinburgh and Bergen have also been delayed.
Last night’s headline act, Peat and Diesel, are meant to perform at Belladrum festival tonight – if their flight takes off.
Meanwhile, tonight’s headliners Queen II have made it to Shetland. They arrived on board the Glasgow flight at about 12.30.
Meanwhile, the Milne Cup football match between Shetland and Orkney has been cancelled for the same reason. Both football associations will seek to arrange a fixture for later in the year.
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