Buck attacked the hilly 20 km final leg to ride 37 minutes 33 seconds to keep all teams in his wake over the 58 km multi-leg event.

Clive Choate in the Ironman section was again consistent to claim second in individual 12km run, 8km canoe, 1km swim, 16km horse and 2 km cycle event.

In the Open teams' category, David Berglund put up a brave cycle leg for long time champions Skilled Engineering, but they were just pipped by two and a half minutes in the final section.

Brent Burton continued to display good form, completing both the canoe and cycle legs, while team mate Jo Kelly-Wilson returned to good running form to be near the leaders.

Champion distance swimmer Barbara Pellick was again one of the fastest in the river, swimming 11 mins 35 secs, while equestrian Emily Quaid, paddler Matthew Ritkis, runner Bill Dunn and cyclist Darryl Harris were also highly ranked in their disciplines.