Rules 1. Outright Winner Scenario 1 The first Tasmanian Shy Albatross to cross the line of longitude passing through the Cape of Good Hope by 05.00 GMT on Tuesday 5th August 2004 will be declared the winner of the Ladbrokes.com Big Bird Race. Dead heat rules apply. For each-way bets (individual Tasmanian Shy Albatross only), the runner-up will be the next bird to cross the finishing line by 05.00 GMT on Tuesday 5th August 2004. The same is true for third and fourth place. However, should four birds not pass the finishing line by 05.00 GMT on Tuesday 5th August 2004. The remaining places will be decided by those birds who are most westerly situated. Scenario 2 If no Tasmanian Shy Albatross has crossed the line by 05.00 GMT on Tuesday 5th August 2004, the most westerly situated Tasmanian Shy Albatross will be declared the winner. Dead heat rules apply should two or more birds occupy the same longitude. For each-way bets (individual Tasmanian Shy Albatross only), Ladbrokes.com will pay out on that number of birds applicable when bets were struck - refer to website for conditions. The race ends at this point and the birds' final place awarded accordingly. It will also be possible to bet the runners' gender and stable of origin for the overall race. Odds will be refreshed daily. 2. Travelled Westerly (TW) This is measured in degrees of longitude. The Weekly bet will be settled on the bird that has travelled the furthest west from Friday (00.59hrs GMT) to Thursday (00.59hrs GMT), starting 30 April. The satellite-tracking device will be active from 20.00 hours to 0.59 GMT every day. New prices on the weekly bet will be released each Friday morning for the following week. The monthly bet is calculated as above by calendar month beginning on May 1 (00.59hrs GMT). The first monthly bet ends May 31 (00.59hrs GMT). 3. Top Stable There are six birds from each of the three 'stables' - Pedra Branca, Mewstone and Albatross Island. Customers can bet on which stable they believe will score the most points by 05.00 GMT on Tuesday 5th August 2004. The winning bird scores 18 points, 2nd 17 points, 3rd 16 points and so on. Should none of the birds travel in a westerly direction then all bets will be void on the outright winner and bets refunded. In this event bettors may wish to donate their returned stake to the Conservation-Foundation Seabird-Conservation Fund. By its nature satellite tracking can be an inexact science and a bird's signal may disappear only to come back at a later time. Should no signal be received a bird's last signal received will be used to count toward a weekly, monthly or outright bet. Tim Nevard, the Chief Race Steward, will oversee the race and its rules. He has final say in any betting disputes.