Southern Traverse
Wintery Conditions Slow the Leaders
Victoria Warman / 12.11.2003
Icebreaker Bridgedale has a determined lead ahead of Ruahine Kayaks after successfully navigating the low water levels of Lake Mahinerangi, a stage that many teams found difficult due to the lack of water.
Ruahine Kayaks are some way behind Icebreaker Bridgedale and as they exited the Lamerlaws were greated by heavy storm with hail stones "the size of golf balls." However, this did nothing to dampen their spirits and they leaped into their kayaks, determined to close Icebreaker Bridgedale's lead.
Seven teams were facing a second night out on the exposed Lammerlaws range including teams Nomad, Aberdeen Asset Management, Bivouac Outdoor Zone and Cappricio Swazi who are all on the full length course.
Those teams who did not make the cut off point into the Lammerlaws and are competing on a shorter course are making quicker progress with Team CivicCorp from Wanaka already well into
the final kayaking stage.
All-girls team, Fat Tyre Adventure, are also making good progress on the shorter course and reports from the field say they are in high spirits although they too struggled with the lake's low water levels.
As the race goes on the effects of sleep deprivation are becoming apparent with Eric Billoud from Team Omnigraphics saying, "My brain has gone to lunch!"
Race director, Geoff Hunt, said the Lammerlaws were "glorious" this morning. "All the teams who we've seen have said how spectacular the scenery was up there while the sun was out," he said. "It's a very varied day in terms of weather but everyone's spirits are high."
The winning team is not expected to cross the finishing line at St Clairs Beach until dawn tomorrow morning at the earliest although CivicCorp on the shortened course are estimated to finish during the night.
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