The Discovery Channel Adventure Race is in its second day, and the course is proving too difficult for some of the competitors, with one team having to be rescued after getting lost.
The Aeropuertos Argentina team went "missing" after clocking in at checkpoint 1 at 10:48am yesterday morning.
Officials at checkpoint 2 last spotted the group at 8pm, last night, and called out to them.
It is not known yet if the group heard (or understood) the officials, as it continued to go in the wrong direction.
The team, comprised of Virginia Elizalde, Alfredo Abboud, Juan Pablo Maricich and Rodolfo Rossi, was rescued by helicopter just before 3:30pm today, after setting off its safety beacon.
The signal from the beacon was picked up by an aircraft flying over the area at 28,000 feet at 1:42pm hours.
The helicopter, flown by pilot Bill Black, picked the Argentinean team up in the region of Lake Pearson, towards the highway on Arthurs Pass, after receiving the call at 3:10pm.
They were reported as being in good spirits, and "enjoying the sun" while waiting.
Race Director Pascale Lorre said the rescue crew found the lost group quickly. "We were not overly concerned about the Argentinean team, as the conditions were good and members had plenty of food and the proper equipment.
"Every team carries a rescue beacon, and we were pleased to see that our rescue infrastructure works well — and was quick and effective."
The team was airlifted back to the transition area one, and were reported as being "well."
– Southern Traverse Ltd
