NOR 11312 - Kilroy

Boat: Kilroy
Boat type: First 36.7
Class: Fully Crewed
Skipper:  Øyvind Litlere
Yacht Club: Bergens Seilforening

1. Have you participated before?
Yes, I’ve participated twice before.

1.1 When / which boat?
In the early 2000s—once on Born To Be Free, an ALO 96, and once on Hotlips, a Wasa 365.

1.2 What is your best memory from Shetland Race?
Arriving in the harbour after many hours at sea is always a special moment. I also remember taking a swim when the wind died completely—it was calm and surreal. And of course, grabbing Fish & Chips from a place up the road after arriving!

2. Why are you participating in Fully Crewed Class?
I want to share this experience with a great group of friends. It’s all about the camaraderie and the adventure.

3. What are your expectations to sail during nighttime, midsummer?
It’ll definitely be a challenge to stay focused through the night and to avoid seasickness. But I hope it turns into an unforgettable adventure—something we’ll conquer and enjoy together as a team.

4. How did you get to know about Bergen Shetland Race?
For many sailors in Bergen, the Shetland Race is a natural goal. It’s a big part of the local sailing community.

5. Planning any activities during the stay?
We’ll just go with the flow and see what happens!

Q&A YANI

Boat: Yani
Boat type: Marten49
Class: Fully Crewed
Skipper:  Andreas Jansen
Yacht Club: Kongelig Norsk Seilforening

1 Have you participated before?
No.

2 Why are you participating in Fully Crewed?
We will participate in the Rolex Fastnet Race 2025. So, we are planning the Shetland race both to get qualifying miles and good training for the Fastnet. At the same time, we are looking forward to this race and to experience Shetland.

3 What are your expectations to sail during nighttime, midsummer?
We see it as a great experience and good training.

4 How did you get to know about Bergen Shetland Race?
I know many people who have participated and spoke highly of the race.

5 Planning any activities during the stay?
Open to suggestions😊.

Q&A MANI

Captain Rolf Johan Vossgård

Boat: Mani
Boat type: Bavaria Match 38
Class: Fully Crewed
Skipper:  Rolf Johan Vossgård
Yacht Club: Os Seilforening

1 Have you participated before?
Yes.

1.1  When / which boat?
With Mani in 2023.

1.2  What is your best memory from Shetland Race?
Good atmosphere in the harbor where we felt welcome.

2 Why are you participating in Fully Crewed?
Too far with 2 on board.

3 What are your expectations to sail during nighttime, midsummer?
All men on the ropes all night.

4 How did you get to know about Bergen Shetland Race?
Live in Bergen and have sailed all your life so it is part of it.

5 Planning any activities during the stay?
Fish and chips, then a bike ride.

6 Optional: Do you want to challenge anyone to participate in this year’s race?
Yes, I want to challenge Jens-Åge Ellingsund, BS.

Q&A Levens

Levens and skipper Willy Forland

Boat: Levens
Boat type: Elan 37
Class: Fully Crewed
Skipper:  Willy Forland
Yacht Club: Ran Seilforening

1 Have you participated before?
Yes, this will be my 11th participation in the Shetland Race.

1.1  When / which boat?
My first four participations were as crew during the 2012-2016 timeframe with the FS2, a First 34.7 skippered by Jan Vidar Nordstrand.
Since 2017 I have done all six races skippering my own boat, the Levens.

1.2  What is your best memory from Shetland Race?
In terms of best sporting memory, it is last year’s return race to Bergen. Being the second boat over the finish line after a near perfectly routed race in very nice conditions is a great memory and satisfaction.
When it comes to memorable moments from Shetland, nothing beats the 2022 Friday evening at the Boating Club. The performance the young musicians in the band put on, and the raw energy exhibited by everyone in a completely packed Boating Club was something out of the ordinary.

2 Why are you participating in Fully Crewed?
Having sailed Doublehanded the past two years, time has come for a fully crewed event again.
My niece and her fiancé who have been racing with me in some local regattas are getting married this spring. They want to join in the Shetland Race as part of their honeymoon. How cool is that?

3 What are your expectations to sail during nighttime, midsummer?
Having done ten races before, I have experienced absolutely magical conditions as well as rough and windy conditions during nighttime sailing in the Shetland Race.
This year I expect (or it is perhaps more hoping) optimal conditions with flat seas under the spinnaker in the magical midsummer twilight.

4 How did you get to know about Bergen Shetland Race?
Being born and raised in the area close to the Marsteinen lighthouse, I have heard about the Shetland Race since more than 30 years ago.
I like to think about Shetland as my next door neighbors to the west J

5 Planning any activities during the stay?
Not done any planning yet. But perhaps a road trip to Sumburgh and Scalloway.

6 Optional: Do you want to challenge anyone to participate in this year’s race?
Yes, I want to challenge Kenneth O Aase to get a boat and do the race again.

Q&A BLUES

S/Y Blues & skipper Frode Dybvik

Boat: Blues
Boat type: Luffe 43
Class: D/H
Skipper:  Frode Dybvik
Yacht Club: Stord Seilforening

1 Have you participated before?
Yes.

1.1 When / which boat?
Lyra in 2023 and Blues in 2024.

1.2 What is your best memory from Shetland Race?
Close contact with orcas.

2 Why are you participating in D/H?
Have just one friend that not get seasick.

3 What are your expectations to sail during nighttime, midsummer?
Short night.

4 How did you get to know about Bergen Shetland Race?
Through a friend.

5 Planning any activities during the stay?
No.

6 Do you want to challenge anyone to participate in this year’s race?
Roy Nilsen with Silje in Stord Seilforening

Q&A TRIMAR 2

Boat: Trimar 2
Boat type: Bavaria 42 Match
Class: Fully Crewed
Skipper:  Martin Borg
Yacht Club: Bærum Seilforening

1 Have you participated before?
No 

2 Why are you participating in Fully Crewed?
It's the best way to drive the boat to the max and we enjoy the social of beeing a large crew when sailing. 

3 What are your expectations to sail during nighttime, midsummer?
We are experienced with nighttime sailing, since we participate in the Skagen Race every year. This race is always held on a moon-less night 🙂 

4 How did you get to know about Bergen Shetland Race?
I have known about the race for a long time. But the practicality of transporting to and from Bergen has made it difficult to participate. But this year we can make it happen. 

5 Planning any activities during the stay?
No. Haven't planned anything particular. We need to make a fast return directly from Shetland to Oslo the morning after price giving ceremony. 

6 Optional: Do you want to challenge anyone to participate in this year’s race?
Yes. I challenge "Lucky Lady" from Bærum SF. 

Q&A Avanti II

Skipper Kristian Andreassen

Boat: Avanti II
Boat type: JPK1030
Class: D/H
Skipper:  Kristian Andreasen
Yacht Club: Gandsfjord Seilforening

1 Have you participated before?
Yes in 2022, 2023 and 2024

1.1 When / which boat?
In 2022 with JPK 1030 Eureka and in 2023 and 2024 with my own boat JPK 1030 Avanti.

1.2 What is your best memory from Shetland Race?
The welcome in Lerwick where you feel welcomed in Lerwick and the price giving at the Culture Center Mareel which is spectacular.

2 Why are you participating in D/H?
Doublehanded is both challenging and very rewarding. My boat is setup for doublehanded.

3 What are your expectations to sail during nighttime, midsummer?
Hope to be sailing in light/medium winds when the sun comes up – happens some time. But we take what comes – also during the night.

4 How did you get to know about Bergen Shetland Race?
Most sailors on the West Coast know about the Shetland Race and I have participated before.

5 Planning any activities during the stay?
Going to Bressay and taste whisky. But it also very good to have time to meet the follow competitors.

Q&A KELSO

Boat: Kelso
Boat type: Crown 39
Class: Fully Crewed
Skipper:  Jon Hardie
Yacht Club: Milde Båtlag

1 Have you participated before?
Kelso has participated in 9 previous Shetland Races,  and the first race in which the toilet broke was probably the most memorable…

2 Which class are you participating in?
Full Crew as Doublehanded to Shetland is just so exhausting

3 What are your expectations to sail during nighttime, midsummer?
Sailing through the twilight of the midsummer night can be fantastic.  Crossing our fingers for clear skies so we keep as much light as possible and can enjoy both sunsets and sunrises!

4 How did you get to know about Bergen Shetland Race?
Got to know about the race by its universal reputation being the only truly  hard-core ocean race in Norway

5 Planning any activities during the stay?
Would definitely want to hire a car for trip across the islands.   Haven’t driven all the way north yet.

Q&A Gullkrona

Skipper Rune Damm og CoSkipper Are Wiig

Boat: Gullkrona
Boat type: Allegro 33
Skipper:  Rune Damm
Yacht Club: Holmestrand Seilforening

1 Have you participated before?
No.

2 Which class are you participating in?
D/H.

2.1 Why D/H?
We are used to sailing SH.

3 What are your expectations to sail during nighttime, midsummer?
Short night :-)

4 How did you get to know about Bergen Shetland Race?
On the web.

5 Planning any activities during the stay?
Not yet.

Q&A Ender pearl

Ender Pearl passing finish line, Lerwick 2023

Boat: Ender Pearl
Boat type: CNB76
Skipper:  Kenneth Bjørklund
Yacht Club: Holmestrand Seilforening

1 Have you participated before?
Yes

1.1 When / which boat?
2023, EnderPearl, Blue Ribbon

1.2 What is your best memory from Shetland Race?
Last 2-3 hours sailing in towards Lerwick 2023, keeping the #2 VO60 boat well behind us to win Line Honour with about 90 minutes.

2 Which class are you participating in?
NOR Rating APH (Fully crewed to Lerwick)

2.1 Why D/H or Full Crew or Cruising?
Most competitive class, and I prefer to have full crew on board this boat size when racing.

3 What are your expectations to sail during nighttime, midsummer?
Hoping for stable wind, 15 knots +, direction from 180-359 degrees.

4 How did you get to know about Bergen Shetland Race?
Sailing social media etc.

5 Planning any activities during the stay?
Not yet. But we will continue via Scottish Hebrides and Irish Sea to sail Fastnet Race, hence not do the return leg.

6 Optional: Do you want to challenge anyone to participate in this year’s race?
Henning Hansen, Drammen Seilforening.

Q&A KRAKEN

Skipper Mårten Jacobsen

Boat: Kraken
Boat type: Hanse 548
Skipper:  Mårten Jacobsen
Yacht Club: Bergens Seilforening

1 Have you participated before? 
Yes. Started with the corona versions to Glesvær and and participated ever since. This will be the 4th time to Shetland

1.1 When / which boat?
During Corona and in 2022 with my own boat at the time "Offcourse" a 49ft Jeanneau SO Performance. Since 2023 Captain on Kraken. Owner is Lennart Kirkevik.

1.2 What is your best memory from Shetland Race?
The raw and extreme nature of the north sea, and meeting our friendly neighbours in the west, just a day sail away!

2 Which class are you participating in? 
We are participating in the Fully crew class. 

2.1 Why Full Crew? 
For us it's 80% social trip and mastering the challenging north sea and 20% competition. The percentage might change during start and finish :-)

3 What are your expectations to sail during nighttime, midsummer?
Making good choices and routes, have fun, taking time off life on land, staying with good friends and making life long memories.

4 How did you get to know about Bergen Shetland Race?
I first heard about it from Fridtjov Bergman and he inspired me to sign up for the first races.

5 Planning any activities during the stay?
We rent a car for sightseeing on friday morning. We have already booked table at No88 restaurant for a crew dinner before the boat house party. Saturday we relax and eat some fish and chips and do final preparations for the return to Bergen.

6 Optional: Do you want to challenge anyone to participate in this year’s race?
I want to challenge Roy Kenneth Hansen to participate in the 2025 Race :-) 

Q&A Winocean

Boat: Winocean
Boat type: First 40.7
Skipper:  Carl Olav Wickmann
Yacht Club: Bergens Seilforening

Sailing Tales & Future Trails!

Back in the day, I cut my ocean-sailing teeth as crew on "Yabadoo" and "MissU," but since 2016, it's been all about "Winocean," our own First 40.7 that's become a part of our very identity at sea.

Fully Crewed, Fully Stoked!

We're all about the fully crewed life. Why? Because with the right team and boat, more people equals more fun. It's about sharing the thrill, the laughs, and the teamwork.

Nighttime Navigating in Midsummer

With a fresh mast and spirits high, we're setting out to conquer the race incident-free and with a solid result. Those few hours of darkness? They're ripe with strategy and shifts in performance. Bring on the excitement!

Stories of the Sea

My father and uncle's adventures in the 80s and 90s, aboard their Confortina 32, echo through my memories. Their tales from the early editions of the Shetland Race are what first charted my course to these waters.

Celebrations & Bucket List Dreams

Post-race, you'll find us at the prize-giving ceremony and afterparty at the Lerwick Boating Club. And I can't wait to finally set foot on the sands of the legendary "St Ninian’s Ayre" beach.

A Friendly Challenge for 2025

Let's get more First 40.7s on the start line next year! Morten Fotland and "Frk. Smilla," are you ready to join the fleet and make waves with us this year?

Q&A AQUASENSE

Jan Vidar Nordstrand

Boat: Aquasense
Boat type: Dehler 38c
Skipper:  Jan Vidar Nordstrand
Yacht Club: Bergens Seilforening

1 Have you participated before?
Yes, have sailed Shetland race 14 times before.

1.1 When / which boat?
2008 Fortito (First 42s7), 2010-2019 FS 2 (First 34.7), 2022 Explore North (Ovni 435), 2023-2024 FS 2 (First 34.7).

1.2 What is your best memory from Shetland Race?
Too many good memories to mention but winning our class in 2023 was very nice.

2 Which class are you participating in?
Fully crewed.

2.1 Why Full Crew?
I have mostly sailed fully crewed because it gives me a chance to sail with good friends that live in other parts of the country, but join us on the Shetland Race every year.

3 What are your expectations to sail during nighttime, midsummer?
In the north sea we can expect all kinds of conditions, but hope we get some good surfing with the spinnaker up. It is always very nice to watch the sunrise and feel the warmth of the sun after a, sometimes, cold night.

4 How did you get to know about Bergen Shetland Race?
Through friends.

5 Planning any activities during the stay?
Normally we rent a car and do some sightseeing.

6 Optional: Do you want to challenge anyone to participate in this year’s race?
I would like to challenge Kjetil Knudsen with Sheep Dip to participate.

Q&A OCEAN GIRL

Arild Haraldstad

Boat: Ocean Girl
Boat type: HR 31
Skipper:  Arild Haraldstad
Yacht Club: Brevik Seilforening

1 Have you participated before?
Yes.

1.1 When / which boat?
2006 NSYR, 2007 NSYR , 2013 Convoy Cup , 2016 Convoy Cup ,2017 Convoy Cup, 2018 Convoy Cup, 2019 Convoy Cup, 2024 Shetland Race. Ocean Girl.

1.2 What is your best memory from Shetland Race?
Everything.

2 Which class are you participating in?
Fully crewed.

2.1 Why Full Crew?
It is best to be many persons.

3 What are your expectations to sail during nighttime, midsummer?
Exiting.

4 How did you get to know about Bergen Shetland Race?
I have read about it.

5 Planning any activities during the stay?
No, just enjoy the nature.

6 Do you want to challenge anyone to participate in this year’s race?
Yes I will.

Q&A STAYER

Christian Irgens

Boat: Stayer
Boat type: First 36.7
Skipper:  Christian Irgens
Yacht Club: Bergens Seilforening

1 Have you participated before?
Yes, have sailed Shetland race 2 times before.

1.1 When / which boat?
2022 and 2023 Stayer (First 36.7)

1.2 What is your best memory from Shetland Race?
Sunrise in the North Sea and the hours before the finish in 2023 at 0200 at night.

2 Which class are you participating in?
Most likely Fully Crewed. Alternatively Double Handed.

3 What are your expectations to sail during nighttime, midsummer?
Great experiences and an exhausting session.

4 How did you get to know about Bergen Shetland Race?
I am a member of Bergens Seilforening and Shetland Race is something everyone knows about :-)

5 Planning any activities during the stay?
Maybe a trip to an outpost (lighthouse) or a visit to Scalloway.