The Rallye Aicha des Gazelles saw a change in fortunes for several leading American teams on Tuesday as mechanical issues and tough terrain challenged the front-runners.

In a race where advantage is measured in distance rather than time, Americans Nicole Pitell-Vaughan and Chrissie Beavis started the day narrowly in second – a scant 142 yards behind the Swiss duo of Regine Zbinden and Ela Steiner.

But a broken strut mount on the #180 Toyota Tacoma early Tuesday cost them an estimated mile and a half to their rivals as they struggled to navigate the most direct route while managing the damaged vehicle. “It was complete survival out there all day,” said Pitell-Vaughan.

Despite giving up some distance, they achieved all required checkpoints and returned to camp where mechanics are expected to make full repairs overnight. With the final two-day marathon leg ahead, the lead remains within reach. No American team has ever won the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles.

Also struggling Thursday were contenders Jo Hannah and Susanah Hoehn. They started the day in third place but lost the air suspension in their Land Rover late in the day. The #107 team continued on — slowly — and returned to camp without missing any checkpoints. It is not yet known whether mechanics will be able to repair the vehicle overnight. “We couldn’t even drive over a pebble,” said Susanah Hoehn. “The car made the most horrible sound the whole way back. Our wheels were literally hitting our car.”

Emme Hall and Sabrina Howells, who had started the day in fifth in the #178 Land Rover Defender, also had a difficult morning after being slowed by camel grass. But they recovered and successfully completed the day. Likewise, the #188 duo of Keely Sellers and Elaine Newkirk opened the day stuck in mud with several other competitors near the first checkpoint. They eventually dug their Jeep Wrangler free and continued without incident.

On Wednesday, teams will start the final marathon leg of the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles. It is a typically windy two-day stretch that will take teams 140 miles across shifting sand dunes and an enormous dry lake before the final bivouac on Thursday night. There will be no update on Wednesday due to the remote nature of the overnight stop. Final results are expected on Saturday.