The annual Bergen to Lerwick yacht race, one of the most colourful events in Shetland’s summer calendar, has taken place.
More than 30 boats arrived in Shetland at the halfway stage of the 200-mile race across the North Sea.
The race is in its 26th year, although this year’s turnout was a smaller affair than in previous years with just 34 boats making a brief stop in Shetland before setting sail in search of the winner’s prize in Bergen.
Shetland race committee member John Gair said it was a smaller race this year as the Dutch sailors who often arrive in Lerwick at the same time as part of the 1000 Mile Race are taking part in a trans-Atlantic contest this summer.
He said: “It is an important event. It creates a lot of interest both for locals and visitors. It has been going for 26 years and the fleet is a mixture of fully crewed and double-handed boats.
“The way across was quite slow because of the lack of wind. I think they were even sitting on deck in their T-shirts at one point!
“On the way back they’ll be hoping for a bit more wind to get a faster and more interesting crossing.”
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