Veteran Russian captain toasts his 74th birthday

Tall Ship celebrations continued apace today with the splendid array of vessels drawing crowds from far and wide.

One person, however, had more cause than most people to raise a glass in celebration. The captain of the Russian ship Mir, Victor Antonov, spent the day marking his 74th birthday.

Capt Antanov said enjoyed his special day by going on an excursion to the South Mainland. He saw Sumburgh Lighthouse, from where he could see Fair Isle in the distance.

The trip had a special significance for the long-established sea captain. He Antonov first saw Fair Isle when he took part in a yacht race in 1978, which took him from Sweden, round the southern tip of Shetland and back out to Denmark onboard a small vessel, Riza.

Today, he was in slightly more relaxed surroundings, enjoying the atmosphere as people flocked to come aboard his impressive vessel. “It’s very nice to be here,” he said.