Shetland Round Britian and Ireland race sets sail

Fuji leads the monohull charge out of Plymouth Sound

Under threatening skies over Plymouth Sound, the Shetland Round Britain and Ireland Race 2010 got off to an impressive start today.

With the gun going at 1215, crowds watched from Jennycliff and a flotilla of pleasure craft, as the doublehanded fleet headed off under full sail on the first leg of a 2000 mile race around the British Isles. With an 11 knot wind, the multihulls went out first followed by the monohulls which were led right from the start by Alex Bennett from Devon and Malcolm Dickinson in Fujifilm.

As the boats cleared the breakwater, the sun burst out from the thunderous clouds to make a magnificent spectacle.

Watching the start from HMS Iron Duke at one end of the start line was Douglas Irvine, Business Development Manager for Shetland Islands Council which is sponsoring the race for the second time. He said: “The start, like the build up and organisation of the race, was very professionally conducted. All the boats sailed away cleanly on a close reach.”

He continued: “The party from Shetland are delighted with the reception at the Royal Western Yacht Club at Queen Anne’s Battery. This event really has raised the profile for Shetland as a sailing destination and we look forward to welcoming all the crews to Lerwick for their 48 hour stopover.”

In the monohull fleet it was Alex Bennett and Malcolm Dickinson on Fujifilm that led the charge out of Plymouth Sound. Prior to the start Bennett commented: ”It will be a tactical first leg as the fleet heads out to Kinsale. At this stage the wind is looking light and changeable out towards the Eddystone Lighthouse and beyond."