Under dark skies one can barely make out the green glow sticks of the remaining boats, looking like faint stars on the dark water. Some teams won't make it in until the following morning. Last year's winner, Team Vail, has one of the fastest rides, moving from 10th to 7th place-I guess all that combined time in a mountain bike saddle has paid off. After a short and well-needed rest, the teams then head out over the open pampas, following the same trails Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid may have when they fled here from the Old West. This morning was uncommonly clear and warm.
Word soon filters in regarding the night's progress.
Unfortunately, the race experienced its first misfortune when, soon after mounting her horse, Kristina Strode-Penny of New Zealand Team Mapinfo, fell off and may have fractured her ankle. After completing the first leg of the ride in great pain, she had to be taken to the hospital-her team forced to withdraw from the race. At the time they were in 7th place and only 15 minuets off the leaders. While no longer in contention, her teammates will nevertheless attempt to finish the race. Though an unfortunate twist, they'll not be the last team to falter on this rugged course.