The wind has finally abated allowing the competitors in the Shetland Round Britain and Ireland Race to start Leg 3 of the race to Lerwick.

Most of the fleet has spent the last couple of days storm bound in Castlebay on Barra patiently waiting for the strong winds to pass through. According to Michael Currie at the Lifeboat Station on Barra the wind is now down to a more respectable north-westerly Force 4-5.

Pete Goss and Paul Larsen who originally thought they wouldn’t be able to get away until Friday are currently making final preparations to their SeaCart 30 and hope to be away in an hour’s time (by midday).

Chatting from Barra this morning Larsen says he’s anxious to get back on the water again and even with about an hour or so to go they both have their thermals and drysuits on ready for the off.

Chatting about the route they’ll take from Barra to Lerwick Larsen said: “We’re a bit disappointed about the problems we’ve had but the conditions are superb this morning so we’re looking forward to sailing again. When we set off we’ll have a beat through the Outer Hebrides and then once we’ve passed Flannan Islands we’ll be able to bear of slightly onto a beam reach and reel in some miles towards Muckle Flugga.

“I think we’re out of the running now as far as winning the event is concerned but what we’d like to do is catch the Open 40s again. The 215-mile stretch to Muckle Flugga is likely to take about a day and a half but who knows, the fleet could park-up once round the top and we could be in with a chance again.”