June 26 - July 2, 2001

While around-the-buoy races abound, there are but a few open ocean yacht races that face the considerable challenge of crossing the North sea. The annual race between Norway and Shetland is being arranged for the 15th consequtive time by Hordaland Seilkrets.

The race is open to ocean going sailing yachts of over 28 ft with inboard engines. It is regulated by ISAF's International racing rules 1999-2000 and Norwegian Sailing Federation's safety regulations, category 2 (ORC's safety categories). Entrants are divided into suitable classes based on the LYS rule, allowing both cruisers and dedicated racers to enter and compete on equal terms.

Norway - Shetland and return

The race is run in two legs. The first is from Korsfjorden south of Bergen to Lerwick on Shetland, rounding north of the Oseberg oilrigs (the Gullfaks field for the larger and faster yachts). The second leg is from Lerwick and back to Korsfjorden, running a free course. The total distance is approximately 400 nautical miles. Results are published and prizes awarded for each leg as well as combined. So for those who are planning an vacation on either side of it, here is an opportunity to cross the North Sea safely and in good company.

A warm welcome always awaits us on Shetland - and of course the prizegiving party. There will be a couple of days for exploring this fascinating group of islands between the finish of the first leg and the start of the second. The whole race will be extensively covered by TV2 of Norway, both on TV and on the Web - including close to real-time tracking of all racing yachts.

The new main sponsor for the race is Salty Seas Yacht Charter Ltd, who arrange sailing holidays and race participation worldwide. They are agents of, among others, Stardust Yacht Charters and Vernicos Yachts. In addition to the regular prizes (best 1/3 in each class) they will supply the following prizes for the winners overall on corrected time:

• westbound: free yacht and participation in the Blue Cup 2001, a 8 day race in the Greek isles
• eastbound: free yacht and participation in the Marmaris Race Week 2001 in Turkey

If you have questions not answered on this Web site, please contact the main sponsor Salty Seas Yacht Charter Ltd Attn: Mr Frode Fanebust.

Well, the first thing you could do is to download this (in our humble opinion!) exceptionally cool desktop picture that will remind you about this adventure. It is available in 800 x 600 and 1024 x 768 pixels format, which is what 93% of all netsurfers use nowadays. Just click the link, and if you like it, right click on it and save it as a desktop image. The main picture was taken by skipper Lars Grepstad from the yacht "Kamikaze" (on which we participated) in the middle of the North Sea during the 1999 race. We sailed neck'n'neck with this yacht for approximately 20 hours of this leg, and came in 2nd and 3rd in our class.

If you have your own yacht that you consider entering, sign up on our mailing list. Your will receive a formal invitation primo 2001. If you already know that you will be needing additional crew, please place a note on the bulletin board.

If you have a yacht that you want to charter - or have no yacht but want to crew - the bulletin board is most definitely for you as well!

Do bookmark and return to this Web site from time to time, as it will continually be updated with information such as race rules, safety regulations, entrants, and much more.