A sudden Southerly snap in weather conditions has added a tail end chill to the last competitors in the Discovery Channel Adventure Race — who were last night still up on the high mountain passes between the Rangitata River and Tekapo.
Forecasts of freezing levels dropping dramatically quickly became a reality for the 13 teams still moving over the last two sections of the six-day adventure race. Snow started falling on the hills around 7pm and race directors Geoff Hunt and Pascale Lorre commandeered a helicopter into the area to check up on the teams locations.
Checkpoint officials worked through the night to ensure teams either made it to several remote huts in certain areas of the tracks or kept teams will them in tents to ensure no one was caught in the blizzard-like conditions and 30-knot winds.
Checkpoint officials at the Forest Creek area on the Two Thumbs range kept Team Arrow and Team Wigwam in a tent overnight and did not allow them to continue due to the conditions. Feeding them freeze-dried seafood chowder to keep up warmth, official Ash Millen likened the group to a pack of rats as they piled on top of each other to keep warm and try to sleep.
At first light both these teams were airlifted out to the end of Lake Tekapo and transported to the finish, effectively out of the race. The harsh reality of not being allowed to continue on the course over night was hard for some team members to accept, but Race Director Pascale Lorre said the safety of teams was paramount.
"The met service gave out a firm warning of temperatures dropping below zero and we know it got to at least -10, so it was essential we gathered some of the teams together and kept them in one place. You have to remember that these teams have been pushing their bodies constantly over the last 96 hours and their ability to ward of hypothermia would have been diminished."
Two teams got onto the last kayak section at 6am this morning, Geraldine and Outdoor Formidable and are expected at the finish line by lunchtime. Fresh Choice NZ Army, New Limit from Sweden and Marahau Beach Camp teams are all now travelling towards the last checkpoint before the kayak and are still in the running to pick up a placing. Team Explorer from the USA is also expected there soon.
Teams must reach the last kayaking section by 12 today to be allowed to kayak the last section along Lake Tekapo. Otherwise by 2pm they will be redirected onto their bikes to the finish line.
Further back in the field, all teams not on the mountain section are now on the alternate route on bike to Tekapo.
Results to date:
1. Propeller-heads - New Zealand
2. Nokia - Finland
3. Team Science - USA/Australia
4. Cromwell - New Zealand
5. Encompass - New Zealand
6. Geraldine - New Zealand- still on water
7. Outdoor Action Formidables - New Zealand - still on water
– Southern Traverse Ltd
