7 May, 2008

LERWICK'S small boat harbour and Victoria Pier comes to life again next month when Shetland’s capital plays host to two international North Sea yacht races.

Competitors in the 22nd Sjøassistanse Shetland-Bergen Races, starting in Norway, will be in Lerwick from 19 to 22 June before setting off on the return race to Bergen.

In a separate event, yachts in the second annual 1000-mile Doublehanded Race will sail from The Netherlands via Newcastle to Norway to join in both legs of the Shetland-Bergen event before finishing in Newcastle.

More than 40 yachts are registered to date for the two races, including entries from Belgium, Britain, Germany, Netherlands and Norway.

The yachts' presence in the harbour will coincide with the annual Johnsmas Foy mid summer festival which is celebrated between 19 and 29 June.

Another Flavour of Shetland celebration will showcase the best of Shetland's food, drink, music, crafts and culture on the harbour's Victoria Pier for the four days the yachts are in port.

Lerwick Port Authority chief executive Sandra Laurenson said that this would be the high point of a season which regularly attracts more than 400 yachts a year.

"While the international races and onshore programme make June the highlight of Shetland's yachting calendar, the warm welcome, modern facilities and Shetland's many attractions are there throughout the season for all our visiting yachts."