Alex Bennetts news in Shetland Round Britain & Ireland Race
by Alex Bennett 19 Jun 2010 09:23 BST
18 June 2010
Severe gales are battering Lerwick in the Shetland Isles as Plymouth pro yachtsman Alex Bennett and his co skipper Malcolm Dickinson prepare to start the 4th leg of the Shetland Round Britain and Ireland Race. Their start time is 17:09 on Friday 18th June.
Currently 2nd in class and at the front of the fleet, Alex and Malcolm will be setting their sights on the Class 40 Sungard Front Arena. It sets off from Lerwick with only a half hour lead. The Force 7-9 conditions will mean big seas for Fujifilm as they charge across the North Sea towards the next stopover in Lowestoft .
Alex said:”I’ll be glad to get going, some boats sustained damage being rafted up in the harbour at Lerwick in the gales. Thankfully, it looks like there is only superficial damage to Fujifilm. It will be survival suits and storm jibs at the start but we have prepared for rough weather, we’ve seen it before and we are mindful it’s going to be a rough trip.”
A hard fought battle in the 3rd leg saw Alex and Malcolm catch the previous Class 40 front runners, closing their 3 hour lead. They now want to stay ahead in the race south to Lowestoft and ensure a good position for the final sprint to the finish in Plymouth.