ICM staff become Vikings for a day (or 3 mins 41 secs)

The Isle of Man's Parliament, called Tynwald , is the oldest in the world, established by landed Vikings in the year 979 AD. Norsemen first came to Mann around the year 800AD, and ruled the Island for four-and-a-half centuries before finally ceding it to the King of Scotland in 1266. The Island still celebrates its viking ancestry with events such as the Viking Festival held every summer in Peel and the Viking Longboat Races which started in 1963.  

The Viking Longboat Races give many teams the opportunity to slug it out for cash prizes which are then donated on to a chosen charity. This year over 80 teams participated in this event which is growing in popularity amongst corporate teams, although the office workers still find it hard to beat the Young Farmers and local fishermen. This year the ICM Group entered a team for the very first time and they came a respectable 11th from last in the mixed group category, with a time of 3 minutes and 41 seconds. The large brown viking style boats challenged their strength and power and co-ordinating the large oars was not easy.  No prize was won but a good day was had by all.

More photos can be found in our Events Gallery and for more information about the ICM Charitable Trust please click here.

The ICM team take instruction from the expert