Updates from The Mountain Zone Cybercast

Gear check before the 50 meter abseil. (photo: Chris Vile)

Current Rankings
as of 6:30pm AUS
1. Team Red Hot
2. Team S.C.A.R
3. Team Endeavour
4. Team ARS
5. Team France Raid

After a night on the river, the lead teams arrived at the Herbert Falls to begin the leg with a 50 meter rappel to the base of the falls. This climb is followed by a swim across choppy and intimidating pools of water between two spectacular waterfalls. The competitors then have to ascend the shear walls of the other side of this canyon that can only be described as "mind blowing." Although many teams have been daunted by this abseil and the choppy water below, they are, for the most part, in good spirits and enjoying the stunning scenery.

Robyn Benincasa, Team Dew, takes a deep breath... (photo: Chris Vile)

In the last 24 hours, we have seen several teams make major gains in their position by good planning and strategic thinking. Jumping from 9th place last night to third this morning and currently in 2nd place, Team Red Hot of Australia leapt ahead on the canoeing leg by taking a 1 hour "carry" of their boats rather than the 5 hour paddle the other teams went through. Event organizer Mark Burnett said, "every year I put in cryptic choices. A careful consideration of the map made the carry an obvious choice."

-- Chris Vile, Mountain Zone Kiwi Correspondent