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 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.