While many southern people rugged up and stayed at home yesterday to avoid the wintry weather, hardy cyclists and rowers were playing in the fog, rain and snow.
There were 386 mountain bikers in yesterday's 90km Lake Tekapo Mountain Bike Pursuit and many more athletes in action this weekend at the South Island Masters Rowing Regatta at Twizel.
The bike race was completed without too much trouble but the final 10 races at the regatta were cancelled yesterday afternoon just before it began to snow continuously.
Christchurch's Tim Hoban set a hot pace in the mountain bike pursuit and was victorious in 3hr 5min 25sec, just over two minutes in front of Wanaka's Gavin Mason.
Scott Little, of Dunedin, was third.
Anja McDonald, of Dunedin, won the women's category in 3hr 23min 55sec, from Sia Svendsen, of Christchurch, and Denise Thorne, of Alexandra.
Bradley Hudson, of Christchurch, was the first junior male home (3hr 28min 22sec) and Sophie Williamson, of Alexandra, the first junior female (4hr 26min 30sec).
Most of the cyclists had finished by 4pm and organiser Marg Munro said they were all heading for hot showers.
"The rivers were quite low really. It was just that they had to battle a snowfall at the head of the lake and a rain shower on the way back."
Wanaka Rowing Club captain Amanda Inkster said yesterday afternoon's cancellation was unfortunate for those who had travelled and could not compete.
Lake Ruataniwha was flat but it was very, very cold, she said.
"It was a dodgy day today. Chronic."
The club was not sure it would be able to get its trailer back today because of the snow on the Lindis Pass, she said.
