<p>Solo Tasman twosome tackle round New Zealand race</p><p>The solo Tasman yacht race has continued it’s tradition of producing great short handed sailors.</p><p>Steven Arms and Rhys Boulton, both first time competitors across the Tasman in the 2010 Fitzroy Yachts Solo Tasman Challenge, are currently sailing at second place in the Two Handed Round New Zealand Race.</p><p>The ten boat fleet left Auckland on 25th February and Krakatoa 2, Boulton’s Class 40 flier, was second by just after an hour into the first stopover at Mangonui.</p><p>Boulton was taken to hospital with a suspected broken foot after being swept down the deck by a wave but elected to complete the race.</p><p>Krakatoa 2, a lightweight composite race yacht, which carries 750 litres of water ballast on each side, is a far cry from Spellbound, the steel 10.5m Ganley design that Boulton raced across the Tasman and Nitro, Arm’s brand new self built Chamberlin composite catamaran.</p><p>John Burns, from Napier, is also a solo Tasman yacht race old boy, and is campaigning Panther, the same veteran S&S design he raced across the Tasman.</p><p>The Round New Zealand race leader, Truxtun, also has a history with the Solo Tasman event. She has been entered twice under her former designer/builder and owner David Tiller she was twice entered in the race but various mishaps prevented her from reaching the start line.</p><p>With 760 miles to go to the finish line of Leg Two at Stewart Island Boulton and Arms look to be prime contenders for Round New Zealand race honours.</p><p>Ends…</p>