A good start from the Merrell Alpha Pack team with the 9km coasteering section and 12km open water kayak completed without any drama and in a good time. After a change over at the first checkpoint, the team began the 53km mountain bike sections that’s expected to take around 8 hours.
The weather has changed from sunny and clear at sea level to low cloud as the team continue to climb into the mountains. We leave the team halfway through stage 3 with the ever looming Tapuae o Uenuku mountain on the horizon.
The team look in good shape and – you’ll be glad to hear – managed to avoid the seals that were literally everywhere this morning.
Please visit the Merrell blog for the original of this article and more photographs.