Multisport: Golite still lead Grand Traverse

The wild West Coast continues to test the limits of competitors in the Southern Traverse adventure-endurance race over the South Island.

Wind, rain, snow and thick fog overnight on the Alexander Ranges had some leading teams on hands and knees, organisers said.

American team GoLite Timberland (Billy Mattison, Isaac Wilson, Aaron Prince and Monique Merrill) went into this 34km trek just 30 minutes ahead of race favourites and early leaders Team Kathmandu (Duncan and Hamish Hamilton, George Christison and Kate Callaghan).

But by midnight last night Kathmandu had caught the leaders when GoLite stopped for a 90min nap in a hut near the 1400m high Lake Morgan.

But GoLite, with batteries recharged, caught Kathmandu again at about 4am.

Both teams arrived at a hut at the head of the Crooked River valley within minutes of each other.

But Kathmandu team leader Duncan Hamilton was suffering in the cold and the team opted to rest, allowing GoLite to lead.

Sierra International (Julian and Mark Minehan, Jim Cotter and Rachel Barton) and Lundhag Adventure (Mikael Andersson, Mikael Nordstom, Bjorn Rydvall and Hanna Wickberg) Adventure continued the battle for third place.

Lundhag, from Sweden, were the surprise pace setters when the race started in Hokitika four days ago, and this morning they had a four-minute lead over Sierra International.

All teams complained of the cold as they moved through Lake Morgan check-point.

Defending champions Bridgedale Socks, currently fifth and three hours behind Lundhag and Sierra, said the underfoot condition were very icy.

The winners are expected in Hokitika at around midnight tonight.

The first team across the line will win $30,000 and automatic qualification for the 2005 adventure racing world championships, hosted by New Zealand for the first time in the Buller area next November.

- NZPA