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After 34 hours of racing, some teams are simply tired, while others are at the breaking point.

Photos: Promosport/Ducandas / 11.11.2007

There have been five abandonments. The first night was a tough one for many. The holders of the title and favourites of the race, Australian team Hôtel Le Surf, was not able to stand up against the hot season of New Caledonia. Suffering cramps while they were trying to climb Mont Panié, after one night of very difficult bicycling and no more than 1 hour sleep, the Australians gave up this morning after 4 hours of kayaking.

Earlier, the team J’aime le Nord, which had carried out part of the mount climbing, had also thrown in the towel. Jean Rene RED, suffering frmo nausea and vomiting, was just unable to continue with the effort. Three other teams were also forced to give up: a broken bicycle for the National Navy team; overheating for the Italo-Canadian team; and for Sofrana the lost of moral at the Col des Palmiers during the night bike climbing. For some, the Dream resembles a nightmare, but for some others it’s about to become truth.

20 hours of decisive trekking. The team le Froid carries on at the front. Alex GUICHET, Martial DEVILLERS, the New Zealander Sarah FAIRMAID, and the Vice Champion of the world Raid François FALOCI are at the head at 15:08 for a trek of more than 20 hours. They are followed closely by the Caledonian team Hôtel Koniambo, who left with 17 minutes of difference. Third is Socafer NZ at 50 minutes behind.

This night will be crucial, with orienteering between Tamoa and the Park of the Blue River possibly the decisive challenge for those with sights on the podium. Today, the fourth-place Vaucluse Aventures Evasion continue very strong, in fifth is Socafer NC, and the surprising Outsport/Solomon are following in sixth: any of these six leading teams has a shot at the podium.

To finish at all costs. Behind, the matter now is not falling, not to be wounded, and to get to the end no matter what place. Tonight, the Team Terraventure slept 45 minutes. Vanessa GRAND and the three men of the BCI took their berth for barely 15 minutes, as did the passionate members of Buropac. The Northern trail is now finished, the South is to be discovered. Let us hope that the sleepless night to come is not too dark…

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