Antarctic rescue delayed

Bad weather in Antarctica is delaying a rescue attempt by the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

An Air Force Hercules was to have flown from Christchurch to McMurdo Sound this morning to pick up four Americans - one of whom is reported seriously ill.

The Air Force says the mission will now begin at 6am tomorrow. The plane will spend only one hour at McMurdo where it will refuel before flying back to Christchurch.