Day two of GODZone adventure has dawned with the lead teams hitting the highest point in the race up and around Mt Tapuae O Uenuku in the Kaikoura region. Team Seagate went through the top checkpoint at 7.25am in first position.

 

“ They are hard core in their approach at this early stage of the race and on track to perhaps widen their lead as they head down into the Hodder Valley and on to the bike ride through Molesworth Station this afternoon. 

 

The mountain descent has been modified slightly this morning due to heavy snow in the valley but nothing seems to be slowing Seagate. They are a good few hours ahead and smashing our predicted fast times at this stage,” says Race Director Warren Bates.

 

Team Absolute Wilderness have held second position overnight with Team Chimpanzee Bar in third.

 

“ Its tough going up there so these lead teams are showing strength being only three or four hours behind Seagate.  Team Absolute Wilderness  are using their localised knowledge and are very well respected around here for their competitive edge. 

 

Jim Cotter and his team Chimpanzee are solid and picking some good lines which is what they need to keep doing to hold. I expect they will keep pushing and the gap back to the mid field teams will increase. Those middle teams are all still travelling over the Clarence River this morning towards the mountain.”

 

Casualties on the race so far include disappointment for international media team Merrell whose female member Catalina Gerstle having to pull out due to a knee injury. The team is continuing on unranked with three members. Australian team Sheep Eaters have had team member Jason Wallington stop racing due to illness. And team Mobiliser Openwire also from Australia  are continuing on without team member Andre Morkel due to a leg injury.

 

“ This is the nature of the second day of racing where we will start to see injury occur and team members being pushed way beyond their physical or mental boundaries. It is a challenging course with a lot of difficult terrain but so far the bulk of the teams are making good navigation decisions and moving consistently,” says Bates.