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Excitement as the final trek shuffles the leaders

Lysanne de Graaf / 26.08.2007

The Leg 12 trek has had everyone in suspense all night Sunday and only midday Monday did race organisers and supporters get any sign of either leading team. The last contact was received mid-trek via satellite communication via an event marshall at around midday Sunday.

Teams 56 Mexican Stingers Carboshotz and 2 Orionhealth.com have been going next to non-stop since the race began last Wednesday. Team 2 managed to hold their 2 hour lead for much of the event, extended to around 6 hours as Orionhealth.com took some rest at Cathu before embarking on the final trek leg. The gruelling 90 km trek has difficult navigation and the effect of or lack of sleep on the teams’ speed through the leg has been highly anticipated.

Before the trek mid-point a checkpoint discrepancy affected both teams but did not disadvantage either. Team 56 Mexican Stingers Carboshotz still held their lead over team 2 Orionhealth.com at this stage and it has been a waiting game all night to see who pulled out of the trek first.

Finally, just after midday team 2 Orionhealth.com popped out at Hill Rise creating much excitement for the race! While both teams made slow progress on the second half of the trek and took time to sleep, Orionhealth.com managed to bridge the gap and take the lead by 40 minutes.

The outcome of XPD 2007 will be fought out fiercely during the final Leg 13 cycle back into Airlie Beach Monday afternoon. It is bound to be an exciting finish and race organisers are currently following the two teams’ progress.

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