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EUROSPORT NZ (NZL) in a World of Their Own

Chris Archer / 10.12.2007

Last night the main cluster of teams bivouacked at CP7 with the remainder about 1 hour behind on CP6. But one team has managed a stellar performance throughout the first day by pulling away from a world-class pursuing pack, all the while paddling into a stiff headwind.

Elina USSHER, Richard USSHER, Aaron PRINCE and Gordon WALKER of EUROSPORT NZ (NZL) are clearly setting the pace for this opening 118km sea-kayaking section and the 1-hour lead they had on the rest of the field last night mad them the only team to bivouac at CP8.

This morning at exactly 06:00 they set off again into the brisk head wind, knowing that the other teams in the competition would do their best to narrow the gap before the transition to the Liwa Oasis later today. The 16 teams in the posse just behind are almost all within 1 hour of each other with ERTIPS (FRA), ADCO BUFF COOLMAX (ESP), TEAM HALTI (SWE) and ORIENHEALTH.COM (NZL) representing the greatest threat to the current race leaders.

ATT360-ÖTZTAL are experiencing a little trouble at the stern of the kayak where a small hole has opened up …

Though all will be relatively rested, the effects of the wind will no doubt be a rapid drain on physical resources.

Ranking at start of Day 2 (CP8) - sea kayak (118km)

1 EUROSPORT SPORT NZ (NZL) 6h00
2 ERTIPS (FRA) 7h05
3 ADCO BUFF COOLMAX (ESP) 7h10
4 TEAM HALTI (SWE) 7h11
5 ORIONHEALTH.COM (NZL) 7h12
6 SALOMON SPAIN (ESP) 7h12
7 SALOMON/CRESTED BUTTE (USA) 7h13
8 LAFUMA-SPORT 2000 (FRA) 7h24
9 ENDURANCE MAG (FRA) 7h25
10 WILSA HELLYHANSEN (FRA) 7h26
11 FJS (SWE) 7h31
12 LUNDHAGS ADVENTURE (SWE) 7h31
13 AFOC – FINLAND (FIN) 7h31
14 ADIDAS NATVENTURE (GER) 7h42
15 NIKE (USA) 8h15
16 ADCO-SELVA (BRA) 8h19
17 TEAM DOWN UNDER (AUS) 8h19

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