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Please consult The Around Alone Report Users Guide for an explanation of this report.
Fila crossed the Around Alone finish line at 0532 GMT this morning. This meant that Soldini clinched his victory under the cover of darkness as the finish occurred at 0132 Charleston time.
Fila not only scored an overall victory, but set a new record for the race. Fila's total race time was 116 days 20 hours 7 minutes and 59 seconds. This broke Christophe Augin's record by 4 days 21 hours.
This finish puts a cap to a dramatic period for Soldini and Fila. In April of 1998 a crewman and friend of Soldini's was lost during a transatlantic record attempt. This caused some doubt for Soldini. A 5th place on Leg 1 created further doubt about Soldini's ability and confidence. However, he posted a solid victory on Leg 2. On Leg 3 came his now world famous rescue of French competitor Isabelle Autissier. Soldini reached heroic status at this point. The came Leg 4. At this point Soldini had only 1 class I competitor left. And although Somewhere sailed by Marc Thiercelin raced as hard has he could Leg 4 was not close as Fila won in dominating fashion. Fila's leg 4 time was 27 days 17 hours 32 minutes and 32 seconds.
Perhaps Soldini's race can be best summed up by the phrase he used when letting race officials know he was off to rescue Autissier:"I go". Indeed!
Fleet Round Up:
Somewhere is 263 miles from the finish. With a speed of 11.9 knots Somewhere is expected to finish around mid day Sunday
Magellan Alpha leads Class II by 294 miles. MIke Garside- an admitted pessimist- is worrying is way to a finish expected early next week.
Cray Valley is 2nd. J.P. looks ahead and sees: "It could be the slowest 1,000 miles of the entire race, but I have food and water -- and always the hope of catching Mike."
Next is the first of the 40 foot Class II entries, Wind of Change. Wind of Change is 760 miles back. With no working autopilots left Viktory Yazykov reports: ". WE ARE LOOSING FEW KNOTS OF THE BOAT SPEED IF I AM NOT STEERING. TRYING TO KEEP HAND STEERING UP TO 18-20 HOURS A DAY."
Shuten Dojhi II shows in 4th place again.
www.no-barriers.com is back to 5th place. No Barriers is 1541 miles back.
Paladin 2 is 1728 miles back.
Balance Bar is back racing and trails the lead boats by 1765 miles.
What does it all mean ?
Giovanni Soldini has become only the 3rd man to win Around Alone joining 2 time victors Phillipe Jeanot and Christophe Augin.