For the second consecutive day the race was forced inland due to dangerous surf conditions, but the Moruya Vikings was unfazed and gained valuable time in its third leg win on Wagonga Inlet.

The Vikings won the open men’s leg in two hours, five minutes and 11 seconds, pipping Coogee by 45 seconds and Long Reef by two minutes. Defending champions Bulli finished finished more than three minutes behind the Vikings.

Race referee Greg Johnston said that result keeps the whole race wide open.

“It will mean at this stage anyone can still win the 2016 marathon,” Johnston said.

“That is great news with four days to go, with challenging and testing conditions and a long way left to row.”

The composite Moruya/Long Reef crew had a hat-trick of wins edging the Broulee Capitals by less than a minute in the open women’s leg while Met Caloundra and Wollongong City finished third and fourth respectively.

Pambula won its third consecutive masters’ women’s leg and the Broulee Bats held off Anglesea by 16 seconds for a runner-up spot.

Defending men’s masters’ champions Narooma won back-to-back legs, edging North Cronulla and Tallebudgera and Narooma ski paddler Nick Ziviani claimed second in his class.

Marathon organiser Andrew Edmunds said conditions were not favourable for a race at sea on Tuesday.

“Narooma Bar, Bermagui Bar and Moruya are not ideal for support boats to cross and (there was) messy, dangerous surf at Coila and Narooma beaches,” Edmunds said.

Instead of the usual Tuross to Narooma leg, a 22-kilometre race was conducted on the Wagonga Inlet at Narooma. Edmunds said organisers never like going inland, but looked for a number of options and a race at sea on Tuesday was just not possible. Today’s forecast unfortunately did not look any better.

“If conditions abate we will run normal course from Narooma to Bermagui, or if need be an ocean course from Bermagui,” Johnston said.

For results, photos and video visit www.batemansbaypost.com.au.