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.