West Coast Team Kathmandu Back in the Lead

West Coast Team Kathmandu Back in the Lead

November 18 2004: West Coast based Team Kathmandu has taken the lead again as the 2004 Southern Traverse moves into its final stages.

Kathmandu was the first team through checkpoint 25 on the Alexander Range at 3.21pm, the first indication that the American/Kiwi GoLite Timberland team is no longer in front.

Kathmandu took 7hrs 34 mins to complete the section and by 5.10pm no other teams had reached Check Point 25.

It appears to have been a game of 'changing the leader' between the two teams ever since they went into the long and challenging, mountain trek section yesterday afternoon. GoLite Timberland led the way, but reports came in from checkpoint 24 that Kathmandu had overtaken their opposition while they slept for 90 minutes at a hut near Lake Morgan.

However GoLite Timberland caught them again and arrived first at checkpoint 24 in Crooked River valley -three minutes ahead.

Kathmandu slept at checkpoint 24 until 5.47am while GoLite Timberland kept moving leaving at 4.39am.

Thirteen teams are still racing on the main course. Sierra International and Sweden's Lundhag Adventure are doing battle in third and fourth place while Greymouth Seaside Top 10 Holiday Park left Check Point 24 minutes ahead of Bridgedale Socks for fifth and sixth.

Unranked teams are expected to cross the finish line at Hokitika this evening. House of Travel was first to complete the paddling section on the Taramakau River. They came off the river at 1.58pm after a 3hr 40min paddle and are now on the 22km beach walking section to the finish at Hokitika.

They are followed by Teams Waitaki, MacPac R+R Sport and Whakatane Great Outdoors.

Three teams led by 4Xtreme followed by Jamo Bus and Suunto Japan - are vying for the adventure race title, on a shorter course, after failing to reach the cut off to continue on the main course.

For the latest information on the race, progress reports and hourly updates, visit www.southerntraverse.com. Also check out our web partner's site - www.sleepmonsters.com

Southern Traverse is a premier international sports event management company operating elite events around the world, including the World Championship Adventure Race, the AR World Series and the Southern Traverse.

ENDS

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