CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SOL PODIUM 1st Gilles (ITA) who wins the bottle of rum offered by NZL_WairuaExpress 2nd jez (USA) 3rd NZL_Undercover ************************** IRL RACE POSITION REPORTS SAT:1812utc- OC is just off Channel Is. / Promise only 5nm behind - BS been 2kts for last 5hrs!! SAT: 0500utc - OC at 35° 40'S 176° 00'E / Promise still further out to sea SAT: 0222utc - OC at 36° 50'S 176° 18'E / Promise 15nm behind FRI: 1900utc - FROM RAYC Website OC has 123mi to go - Promise has 129mi to go OC went out of cell range... THU:1500utc OC rounded Cuvier THU:1327utc OC at 36° 29'S 175° 26'E - "spin destroyed all fix back in race" THU:0950utc Open Country is at 36° 33.000'S 175° 10.000'E - spin-wrapped foresail so only 6kts BS THU:0735utc Open Country is at 36 45.0S 174 59E and Yakka in Promise is about 500yards ahead! ************************** The Round White Island race is another iconic NZ offshore race and a firm favourite with SOLers. Winds and conditions can be variable but always challenging. This year there are 23 entries in the IRL race, among them two SOLers. NZL_Yachtyakka will be sailing the race for the fourth time, this year with Edwin Delaat in Team Hyundai Promise, while WairuaExpress will be racing his boat Open Country. PRIZE FOR SOL WINNER: will be a bottle of rum, offered by WairuaExpress. Thank you Wairua!! The island that we will be racing to and round is not just an island but actually a volcano., estimated to be between 150,000 to 200,000 years old. It was named White Island by Captain Cook, because it appeared white in colour in the distance. These days visits to the island are strictly controlled to maintain its natural state so... try not to run aground there!