Five of the VOR yachts have now rounded Eclipse Island. SEB was the first round followed by illbruck, Assa Abloy, News Corp and djuice. They have all tacked and are heading south once again towards Bass Strait, approximately 1400 miles away.

Keith Kilpatrick, the sick crewman, was transferred from Amer Sports One onto a 48-foot powerboat while the yacht was still some 15 miles away from Eclipse Island. The powerboat went to the port stern quarter of Amer Sports One, where skipper Grant Dalton helped Keith Kilpatrick, wearing a dry-suit and a life jacket, step over to the powerboat. Now he is sitting in the aft saloon of the powerboat, talking to Nautor Challenge onshore crew Nick Bice. They are going straight to Albany harbour, where an ambulance will be waiting for them. Keith will be taken to Albany hospital where Dr Alistair Holms will examine him and decide on the next course of action.

Position Report, Day 17, 0958 GMT

1 TSEB

2 ILBK (4 miles from leader)

3 NEWS (8 miles from leader)

4 AART (9 miles from leader)

5 DJCE (17 miles from leader)

6 AONE (43 miles from leader)

7 ATOO (215 miles from leader)

8 TYCO (RTD)