Late yesterday afternoon, the all-Wanaka team, consisting of Richard Anderson, Simon Bowden, Bob McLachlan and Jo Williams, was paddling on the Matakitaki River, near Murchison, in two inflatable canoes.
They had completed more than 60 hours of almost continuous racing.
The team was not expected to be able to complete the seven-hour whitewater kayak leg last night before the river entered the ‘‘dark zone'' and became off-limits to all competitors.
Race media manager Margo Berryman said teams had to be off the river by 6.45pm and Torpedo 7 was therefore likely to have a fairly uncomfortable night sleeping somewhere along the river bank.
It would be able to continue at 6.15am today.
Texts from supporters along the route yesterday revealed the team was in good spirits, carrying no injuries and the only disappointment had been a navigation problem on the mountain bike leg.
Torpedo 7 finished second in the Kaikoura Godzone two years ago.
This year's race, involving 71 four-person teams, began at Kaiteriteri Beach, near Nelson, at noon on Saturday.
Much of the media attention has been focused on the Cure Kids team of Rob Nichol, Ben Meyer, former All Black captain Richie McCaw and Wanaka athlete Sarah Fairmaid.
Yesterday afternoon Cure Kids was well back from the leaders, near the middle of the field.
The Yealands Family Wines team of Chris Forne, Dan Moore, Sia Svendsen and Dan Busch had a big lead late yesterday afternoon, followed by Nelson team Swordfox.
Injuries forced two teams out of contention yesterday.
They included Wanaka CPR - as a result of team member Mike Plimmer suffering a knee injury while trekking in the Red Hills.
Race director Warren Bates said Plimmer was unable to walk and was picked up by helicopter.
The rest of the team was continuing, but would be unranked.
The American ‘‘Bones'' team was also set back when a team member was injured in the Red Hills.
