Through the rapids

Godzone adventure race team Worst Game of Tag Ever members (from left) Joe Morrison, of Dunedin, Brett Roberts, of Napier, Mark Waldin, of Havelock North, and Carl Neustrosk, of Gisborne, are ushered down the Shotover River by a Queenstown Rafting guide yesterday.

After a 38km mountain bike leg between Arthurs Point and Twelve Mile Delta yesterday afternoon, team Tiki Tour — brothers George and Tom Lucas, of Queenstown, and Wanaka’s Mike Kelly and Floortje Grimmet — maintained its lead. Defending champion Yealands Family Wines, featuring Queenstown’s Chris Forne, was second, with Swordfox close behind.

Race director Warren Bates said the top three teams were close and the lead could change overnight, during the race’s second major alpine trek, over Mt Crichton.

The trek, expected to take about eight hours for the faster teams, was followed by an 18km kayak to Glenorchy.

Two of the 70 Godzone teams are racing "unranked" after  members dropped out of the race.

Team Rebel Food’s Richard Ussher withdrew because of a chest infection and Team Ginger Ninja’s Brian Wilson pulled out because of a cold.