Hamar vikings hammer rivals

HUNDREDS of onlookers lined the banks of the River Ouse in York to watch Viking longships compete for the title Jarl Lord of the River.And it was fitting that a team from Hamar in Norway should prove the swiftest, beating rivals from across the country to lift the title.Boat crews from schools, universities and fire stations took part in the racing on Saturday while sightseers were entertained with activities on shore.Festival press officer Samantha Orange said: "It was a fantastic atmosphere and the weather was superb. There were also groups of competitors doing combat displays and telling visitors how Vikings lived."Organisers cooked traditional Viking cuisine including fish stew and smoked cured sheep's head, she said.The historical pageant continues tomorrow, at St Sampson's Square where groups of Vikings will try on their helmets and chain mail in a display of Norse weaponry.On Thursday, Jorvik strongmen compete in The Jorvik Viking Trials of Strength at the Jorvik Viking Centre in Coppergate. The festival reaches its climax on Saturday with a march by hundreds of Vikings through the streets of York to the Eye of York, followed by a boat-burning ceremony on the Ouse. Viking archers will fire flaming arrows at longships until they ignite.Visitors to York on Saturday also witnessed a St Valentine's Day fancy dress parade, which launched York University's Rag Week. It raised £800 in just one hour.Rag president Neil Fitch said the students who took part were very grateful for the generosity of the watching crowds who turned out in force in the unseasonably warm weather."It went very well, the town was packed, the weather was superb and to raise so much in an hour was astonishing," he said.Rag events will continue all week on the University campus and students have set themselves a £2,000 target for the week.Money raised will go to various charities.