Updates from The Mountain Zone Cybercast

Rafting on the Tully River. (photo: Chris Vile)

At the Tully Weir, the competitors descend on foot down a step trial through thick rainforest to the main flow of the Tully River. This was the only dark zone on the course which means if you arrived after 3pm then you have to wait until 6am the next morning to set off. Once underway this technical river descent passes large granite boulders and weaves through small channels.

The river exceeds Class IV rapids with a wide variety of river hydraulics including recirculations, reversals, holes, and standing waves. Competitors will be assisted by compulsory guides and will be very aware of leeches, snakes, and the stinging trees. This section has taken most teams about two hours and all seemed to have enjoyed the ride down.

What if your horse isn't into adventure racing? (photo: Chris Vile)

After this check point, the teams leave the rafts and head up an abandoned forestry road through World Heritage rainforest. This leg of the course is populated by snakes, spiders, and the stinging trees. It is here that the competitors meet their horses and trot through the rainforest trials. A mandatory vet stop occurs and the teams then transfer to their mountain bikes once again for an 18km ride into Mungalli Falls camp.

The hard luck story of the day goes to Team Endeavour who have dropped from 2nd place to 7th after one of the horses they were assigned refused to move forward and they had to revert to literally dragging the horse. Endeavour left the Mungalli Falls camp very determined to give chase and reel in the places they lost overnight.

The speed of the top teams has caught organizers by surprise, and it is now a logistical nightmare to rush ahead and be prepared for the front team to reach Cairns way ahead of schedule -- possibly as early Sunday morning. Although Eco-Internet is about four hours ahead, the next five teams are very close behind each other. The sea kayaking section is long and notoriously difficult, so at this stage it is still anyone's race.

-- Chris Vile, Mountain Zone Kiwi Correspondent