By Leanne Malcolm
Fearless fliers have leapt into Queenstown’s icy Lake Wakatipu today as Winter Festival cranks into a new gear.
Yesterday's torrential rain was gone, and despite the bracing temperature there was an abundance of flesh on display.
It was visual, bizarre and downright raunchy on the shores of Lake Wakatipu this afternoon.
Even though the temperature hovered around freezing, plenty were happy to shed their clothes for races like the Undy 500.
If they weren't on the lake, they were in it, with the promise of cash driving a group into the 10degC waters, and the crowds were lapping it up.
EXTENDED VIDEO: Queenstown Winter Festival events
Rescue craft were close at hand for the legendary Birdman competition.
It only takes a few minutes in a lake as cold as Lake Wakatipu was before hypothermia sets in, but no one seemed in a huge hurry to get out.
Overnight snow and a bright sunny day lifted everyone's spirits, and with more snow forecast this week, it looks like winter has decided to come to the party.
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