XPD Australia
Orion Adventure Withdraw
Geoff Hunt (AR World Series Director) / 25.05.2010
When we checked the Spot tracking this morning we could see that Orion was a considerable distance behind Blackheart, but what we didn't know was that in fact Orion had hit the Help button on their Spot tracker. Craig, the Race Director told us this information "that they appeared to get themselves a to a point at the end of a cross country rain forest trek before they activated the help button." This is currently as much information as is available. The rescue crew driving to the pick-up have not called back in with what was the problem - but we can only assume that who ever had a problem was walking wounded.
This leaves Blackheart.com.au well in front of the other chasing teams - Merrell/Akali and McCain Adventure who are still locked in battle - now for the second place. Like Orion and Blackheart they have been close for much of the second part of the race. This battle will be decided in this last rain forest trek.
Of the rest of he field from Craig's report to us.
One team still on the water i.e. on the Walsh river. They will be met with instruction's that for them the race is over - they will not be allowed into the long trek.
Those teams in this 60km Chillagoe stage are reported all fine - but this is just a guess from Craig as there is no communication into this area and no checkpoints manned with communication, so unless a Help signal is sent the race organization can just watch the progress, or lack of it on the satellite tracking.
The lobby of the hotel is starting to resemble an out patient reception area as teams who have been pulled off the course mingle - some in wheel chairs - with the regular airline staff guests and others.
[Ed. It was Brent Edwards of Orion who sustained an ankle injury and reportedly OK and waiting for transport back to Cairns.] See All Event Posts
