|  | ||
|  | | |
| |||
| |||
| |||
| |||
 | |
Having just past through the Tapawera Checkpoint the team is now well in the lead and looking fresh cycling towards Lake Rotoiti. Describing the mountain run as slippery, gnarly and a white at the top of the peak, the team managed one hour of sleep at the bottom at the Baton creek transition area.
Race director Geoff Hunts prediction that this year's course would be the fastest in the traverse history is coming true. Lead teams, including Fairydown Long International, Team Cromwell and Sierra International, have all broken the fastest estimated times for the kayak and cycle legs to date. Star & Garter completed the mountain run over Mt. Arthur in exactly the 10 hours estimated for fast teams.
The pace is expected to slow gradually today and while the weather is once again perfect, it is expected that the heat could take its toll.
— Southern Traverse
*Southern Traverse Photographers Include: Derek Paterson, Brian, Jurgen Ruoff, Barbara Newton, Rob Lile, Tony Di Zinno, Gareth Eyres, Alan Nelson, and Beyond City Limits.
EXPEDITION DISPATCHES 
