Team Buff arrived after the orienteering course around Salamanca at 630pm last night, to a large crowd, including chanting Spaniards! After showering the surrounding media with champagne, they headed off for a well earned rest, meanwhile the rest of us started looking at the clock - would Blackwater make it off the river before the dark zone??
Shortly before 8pm they arrived at the pier on the River Tormes near the centre of Salamanca, then headed off on a short 4km orienteering stage around the tourist sights of the old city. We gave them a good Kiwi cheer before they were whisked off to a hot dinner and the clean sheets, comfortable beds and hot showers of the race hotel - all the things they have been missing for the last five days!
Meanwhile, pretty much all the rest of the field camped out on the river overnight - Silva-Gerber were only a couple of hours from the end, but had to pull up on the banks and camp for the night when the dark zone started. They are due to finish any minute now. Several hours behind them are Outdry, who should also finish later this afternoon. Behind them, addidas have moved up the field and last night got onto the river ahead of the Danish Daredevils team, so they may have moved into 5th place (the leaderboard isn't quite making sense yet!).
Orion made great time on the final bike ride, arriving into the kayak transition at 11pm hot on the heels of Thule. There was a problem with the supply of kayaks however, so they had to wait (sleep) at transition until after 4am before being allowed to start on the water. They look to be powering along, and starting 'at the back' will at least give them plenty of teams to chase! we expect to see them off the water around 5pm, leaving them (hopefully) just enough time to complete the orienteering and finish before the course closes at 6pm. Then it will be straight to the race dinner and prizegiving!
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LOVE MUM and DAD, BET and POP