Sorbent Helsal only 24 hours from the Solomon Airlines Brisbane to Gizo finish line

by Rob Kothe on 6 Jun 2001 Sorbent Helsal II is blasting across the Coral Sea only 240 miles from Gizo. Cherana continues to hold the Racing handicap honours and On Top leads the Cruising Div.

Waiting for the Solomon Airlines Brisbane to Gizo fleet to arrive is the bustling regional capital of Gizo.

The Western Solomons, is preparing for Vaka Tepe week, we'd more likely call it Race week. Motor canoes and paddle canoes are starting to arrive from outlying Islands into Gizo.

As part of Vaka Tepe week there is a public holiday on the Prize Presentation Day, next Monday to welcome the visiting sailors and there is a major cultural festival, which brings in Islanders to Gizo from all around the Western Solomons.

Premier Lilo, who is Australian educated College lecturer by profession, has recognised that for the Western Solomons the future lies in tourism. He explained 'In our schools we are instilling pride into the children about their unique environment so that it can be maintained for people all around the world to share with us.

The sight of 600 of our children on the sailing boats in Gizo Harbour during the Sail Past is very enjoyable, they talk about it all year and we are again looking forward to the 2001 race arriving here over the weekend.

The Western Solomons are an adventure tourism destination, with some of the finest lagoons, protected reefs and beaches in the world. The fishing is great, as can be seen in the waterfront fish markets and our diving sites of both reefs and wrecks are amongst the best in the world.

The waterfront Gizo Explorer Hotel is the centre of activity. Tonight the main fish dinner, the Catch of the Day could be renamed the Brisbane to Gizo Race Catch of the Day as the Neil and Tina from the Gizo Race office went trolling this morning and came back with a seven kilo Red Emperor.

Tomorrow night some time, the weary crew of Sorbent Helsal II will guide their 20 metre pocket maxi into Gizo Harbour and then the beer will really begin to flow, but tonight we'll share the Leaf hut bar with two groups of American divers and an European family who are going over to John Kennedy Island tomorrow and our Red Emperor.