Southern Traverse
A Walk on the Beach to the Finish
Nicole Fairweather (Southern Traverse) / 18.11.2004
Kathmandu had paddled about halfway down the Taramakau River by curfew at 9.00pm and camped on the riverbank until 6.00am today when they were allowed back on the river.
"We had a good sleep. It was very nice," says captain Duncan Hamilton.
Team GoLite Timberland did not make the paddling section in time last night and had to wait until 6.00am to launch their boats and chase the leaders.
Overnight the Swedish team Lundhags Adventure became disoriented on the Alexander Range and was forced to call for help.
"They were in a creek bed and suffering from cold and exhaustion and an attack of the dreaded sleep monsters," says Race Director Geoff Hunt. "We picked them up by helicopter as a safety precaution."
The team led by Mikael Andersson was flown back to the transition area at Camp Cree where they were checked out by the Southern Traverse medical team. They have now returned to Hokitika to rest up.
Three other teams following the Swedish - Outward Bound, Mainly Tramping and Sierra International were on standby to go to their assistance if need be but were not required.
Outward Bound began paddling on the Taramakau since 6.46am putting it in third place on the main course. Mainly Tramping entered the river at 8.08am and Sierra International half an hour later.
While the teams on the main course are racing for the finish the adventure course teams are also coming in sight of the finish line.
Teams 4Xtreme from Holland and the Kiwi team Jamo Bus are on the beach walk to the finish and Team Suunto Japan is still paddling.
The finish for the main race is expected between 12.00 and 1.00pm on the beach in front of Southland Hotel in Hokitika.
SleepMonsters
