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Team Air New Zealand crossed the finish line at 11:02 Friday morning, finishing in 10th place overall. This team has been closely followed by a film crew from National Geographic, who were quick to interview the team for a post-race report. On the beachfront at Mapua, the weary-eyed athletes reflected on their experiences speaking of how close the team had come to pulling out when a revelation amongst the team was discovered and the desperation of each of member to keep thinking positively during the difficult points on the course.
Experienced multisport competitor Louisa Steiger spoke of the shock when the team discovered that Australian team member Andrew Peacock had never competed in an adventure race before. "We had absolutely no idea that Andrew hadn't done anything like this before, and it was only during the race that we discovered this. It was a bit of a shock — for him as much as for us."
Steiger, along with Francois Allemoz and Eric Billoud, all experienced in multisporter, were aiming for a top placing, and when Andrew began to fall back the team considered dropping out straight away, yet the team persevered and reached the finish line as a team and in 10th position. "When I found out that there was a problem I was adamant that we had and could finish the race as a team of four," explains Billoud. "Everyone had a responsibility in becoming more and more positive about the whole race and we've done it!"
So far 16 teams have crossed the finish line. More teams are expected this evening, with the last team Ocean Brothers expected to reach the end via a shortened alternative route some time before midday tomorrow.
— Andrew Johnson, 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 
