Picture by Valentine Dreyfus
The race continues to stretch across the Patagonian landscape, with the lead group now at Checkpoint 3 after a long and demanding push.
At the front, Tobby, Callie, Santiago, Alfonsina, Andres, Mateo, Gillian, and Ozbe have all passed this key stage of the course. The pace remains strong, though a few penalties will begin to shape what comes next.
Mateo will carry a 1.5-hour penalty to be served tomorrow morning following a high heart rate at the vet check. Gillian and Ozbey will each receive a 2-hour penalty after taking a forbidden shortcut.
Behind them, the second group is actively chasing, currently around 9 km from Checkpoint 3. Wiesman, Leo, Louis, Jaco, and Mariaan remain close together and continue to move steadily across the terrain.
Further back, the third group is gathered at Checkpoint 2. Daisy and Liam, Lexy, Nour, Robin, Sofia, Nadia, and Isabel have all passed through this stage. Nour, Lexy, Sofia will carry 1 hour penalties tomorrow, after being required by HQ to stop at the checkpoint following the 6pm riding cut-off.
The field continues to spread behind them. Chloe and Natasha are currently riding along the southern edge of Lake Belo, while another group — Marguerite and Mary, Mariano and Marguerita, Marcos, and Emma — are positioned further back near the laguna.
Finally, Sven and Nina are also camped along the southern edge of Lake Belo.
With riders now spread across multiple sections of the course and penalties beginning to come into play, the race is entering a more strategic phase. The next stages, including the approach to the Pass of Death, will be decisive.
Picture by Valentine Dreyfus