Former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and his team have been heli-evacuated from the GODZone race at Fiordland National Park.
McCaw, along with teammates Rob Nichol, Jo Williams and Tim Sikma, were evacuated from CP4 at the Olivine Hut, with a team member suffering from poor health.
So far, four teams have been heli-evacuated from this year's GODZone, the world's largest expedition-length race, staged over 710km.
"Days two and three have been particularly arduous for some teams," says race director Warren Bates.
"When you're load-bearing, and carrying a lot of weight with food, pack rafts and other essentials, it can be a shock to the body. We are seeing quite a few ankle, leg and knee injuries in this very steep and gnarly country.
"It will be disappointing for those teams having to withdraw at this early stage of a nine-day race, but some will be able to join up with others who have lost teammates and then carry on unranked."
The team have been flown from the Pike River area to Glenorchy to meet their support crew.
