Southern Traverse
Fortunes Change for Early Leaders
Jenny McLeod / 11.11.2003
A lead of approximately 2 hours has been taken by the strong Cycle Surgery Scott USA team which is now forging ahead in the Lammerlaws/Lammermoors section of the race (kayaking and trekking). This is expected to take between 19 and 30 hours to complete and the weather in the area is expected to remain wet and cold.
Team Icebreaker Bridgedale and Team Mainland, Star & Garter, Nelson Mountain Bike Club are closely tracking the lead team and both are reported to be in good spirits.
Despite a valiant attempt to keep going Rachel Barton had to admit defeat at Transition Five last night, prior to the start of a 50km mountain bike ride through Berwick Forest to Lake Mahinerangi Dam.
She had been struggling with illness, which caused dehydration, for some hours and during the Taieri River kayaking section, team mates Jim Cotter (Dunedin) and Baz Smith (Queenstown) put her kayak under tow so that only Eric Billoud (Queenstown) paddled and she was able to rest.
“That was a strenuous paddle,� she managed to quip to Race Director Geoff Hunt on her arrival at the transition area.
Team Omnigraphics is also the focus of a research study being conducted by Otago University to identify the physical and mental impacts of multi-sport endurance racing.
Overnight disaster struck other teams as well. Aaron Nicholson, a policeman racing with Team CivicCorp, became ill on the Berwick Forest mountain biking section. The team returned to Transition Five and is yet to decide whether the other three will continue on.
Team House of Travel was forced off the Taieri River after breaking a rudder on a kayak. They walked out of the area and withdrew from the race.
Thirty one teams started on Monday in Dunedin’s Octagon and 12 teams will compete on the main course, after today’s cut off deadline (9.00am) forced teams who have not reached Transition Six, on to a shorter adventure course. Four teams have now officially withdrawn, and three are continuing unranked.
The first teams are expected to arrive at St Clair Beach sometime tomorrow (Thursday).
For up-to-the minute coverage of the race use the link on the rigth to visit www.southerntraverse.com.
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