European Fireballs fall foul of fog

Mist and light winds scuppered the first day’s sailing at the European Fireball Championships in Lerwick today.

Principle Race Officer Bruce Leask had originally signalled a one-hour postponement after the skipper’s briefing but that became an indeterminate postponement.

The championships were officially opened at a town hall reception yesterday evening, with Guizer Jarl Ivor Cluness, backed by members of the Jarl’s squad, doing the honours.

Following tunes by Brian Nicolson on guitar, Maggie Adamson on fiddle and Peter Wood on accordion, organiser John Manson thanked various people and organisations who had enabled the event, notably the main sponsor Event Scotland.

He said: “For a small place like Shetland it really is an honour for us to be able to welcome all the sailors who have arrived and have an event in Lerwick.”

Following the opening, competitors and guests were treated to a Flavour of Shetland buffet and beer from Valhalla Brewery. Food, music and activities are also organised for the participants at the end of each racing day.

Fireball International secretary Andrew Davies said that it had been “a real challenge” to get to Shetland, but once the fog had cleared the racing had been wonderful. He thanked the organisers and sponsors for their great efforts.