Leslie Irvine - skipper

Leslie started playing around in his home waters of Shetland on boats and canoes from the age of ten. His first yachting experience was a 17ft plywood Lisander, followed by an Acillies 24, in both of which he spent many a summer cruising the beautiful shores and inlets of Shetland. By 26, Leslie had bought 'Aurelia' a 35ft wooden yacht originally built in 1952 in Lerwick. 'Aurelia' stayed with him for eleven years during which they enjoyed numerous offshore cruises to Norway and Scotland. Today, Leslie owns a 40ft Koopmans aluminium cruising yacht and a 24ft 1958 wooden Norwegian cutter as well as the VQ32 'Vandal'. Leslie competed in the 2008 Shetland Round Britain and Ireland Race along with Dick Koopmans in 'Jager', another of Dick's designs, achieving 1st in class.

"I am enormously proud to represent Shetland in this classic race. The variety of conditions found along the coast make it a tactical and demanding endeavour. I thoroughly enjoyed the last Shetland Round Britain and Ireland Race and look forward to the same camaraderie, friendship and spirit of community in each port."

 

Andrew Wood - co-skipper

Andrew was born in Penzance Cornwall where he grew up racing and cruising with his family. In 2000, Andrew sailed from UK to New Zealand and back via the Northwest Passage. These days he is a full time yacht delivery skipper and sailmaker in between competing in shorthanded offshore races including two singlehanded Mini Transat campaigns.

"The Shetland Round Britain and Ireland Race is one of those 'must do' land mark races, made all the more significant to me as my father competed in two editions in the late 70's, so it goes without saying that I'm really looking forward to the challenge of this tough regatta. Leslie and I first met when I pulled into Shetland on a return sail from Svalbard and we have been cruising and racing together ever since! Both of us originating from the extreme opposite ends of the British Isles, yet both with an unparalleled passion for sailing makes for a great sense of balance onboard and I can't wait for the off!"