The local team arrived in 12th, lighting a flare as they hit the beach and ran toward the flags in slightly mischievous fashion under the dark and rainy sky.
Only 27 boats completed the challenge with the last being the all-girls crew, Bethells Stunners, from Bethells Beach club ("They had a ball, didn't even know it was raining!" event spokesperson Liz Arcus noted), in 3.48.10s. The Bethells Beach club came in force, rolling north with six teams and an entourage estimated at 50 to make up a sizeable part of the gathering enjoying the after-event prize giving celebrations - and Mat Radich's spit roast - at the Ahipara camping grounds later in the night.
The team travelling the furthest to contest the challenge was Maranui (from Lyall Bay in Wellington) which finished in eighth place overall in 2.38.28s.
Looking at the bright side, at least the conditions meant there would have been very few longliners and surfcasters out and about to interfere - albeit unintentionally - on the IRBs' southern journey along the 90 Mile. Apparently, the weather didn't deter several people from hitting the beach to collect scallops as a remarkable year for the shellfish being washed ashore continued.
* In other FNSR news, Liz Arcus and Simon Smith travel to Wellington on Saturday, to pick up the London Trophy after their organisation was recognised by Surf Life Saving NZ organisation, as having qualified the most lifeguards (per capita of members) last season.