Mark Slats ETA at Hobart film gate: 08:00 ESAT Sunday, 22:00 UTC Saturday

At 08:00 UTC Friday, (18:00 local time Hobart) Australian born Dutchman Mark Slats was 230 miles from the BoatShed.com Hobart film drop, making 7.4knots in what he describes as excellent conditions.  "FLYING ALONG. JUST MADE CONTACT WITH TASMAN MARITIME." he texted Race HQ in Les Sables d'Olonne. The 41-year old skipper and his Rustler 36 Ophen Maverick  is currently in 2nd place within the Golden Globe Race fleet. Slats was born and raised in Darwin and expected to sail in to Storm Bay and cross the line around 08:00 local time Sunday (22:00 UTC Saturday)

All skippers are compelled to pick up a buoy and stop in Storm Bay for a minimum of 90 minutes to hand across film and letters, be interviewed by the media and meet family and team members. No one can board the yachts or provide any assistance and the skipper cannot disembark.

Each skipper is interviewed live by Race Chairman Don McIntyre and will answer questions from media. These interviews will be broadcast live on Facebook www.facebook.com/goldengloberace. Coverage of Mark Slats' arrival is planned to start 30 minutes before as he sails or motors into Storm Bay. ETA updates will be published at regular intervals on Facebook.