North Sea Triangle sailors visit Orkney
(Picture: Craig Taylor)
Visitor numbers at Kirkwall Marina have been boosted at the moment by a fleet of visiting yachts whose crews are taking part in an international sailing event, the North Sea Triangle Challenge.
41 yachts departed Den Helder in the Netherlands on the June 20, however, due to bad weather and some break downs 22 yachts have made it here to Orkney.
They began arriving on Tuesday and plan to leave around midday on Friday. They will then head to Farsund in Norway, before heading back to the Netherlands.
Leesa Thomson from Orkney Marinas explained: “Some of the yachts who have not made it to Orkney are already on their way to Norway – the organisers expect 31 boats to arrive there in total. Two of the yachts joined the Orkney Sailing Club on Wednesday night for their sailing, and there is to be a reception in The Girnel for them tonight, Thursday.”
She also explained that 65 of the crew members have set off on a bus tour of the islands this afternoon, they will visit Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, the Italian Chapel and the Cathedral.
The race last visited here in 2009 and plans have been made to come here every four years from now on, with this year marking the largest number of participants they have ever had.