On a day that saw teams contest seven multisport disciplines, Team Nokia Adventure moved into a commanding overall lead at the 2000 Mild Seven Outdoor Quest. "We broke away during the inline skating portion," noted Petri Formsan, captain of the Finnish squad. "It is a sport very much like cross-country skiing, which every one on my team is very good at. We were able to move much faster than other teams."

Under brilliant blue skies, defending MSOQ champions Nokia Adventure opened up a six-minute lead over the elite international field. Second-place Team Beaver Creek was able to take a small chunk from the gap during the ensuing mountain biking and running sections, but Nokia Adventure's 6:41:05 finishing time was four minutes faster than Beaver Creek's 6:45: 14. France's Team EADS Bo No. 2 finished third.

In it's fourth year, MSOQ stands as the world's premier endurance multisport competition. The event is extremely long and arduous, asking athletes to push personal limits in the most rugged natural terrain imaginable. Competitors say that in nature's splendor they discover their inner-self and know deep inspiration. They push past known physical and emotional limits.

MSOQ attracts Olympians, world champions and national champions in sports ranging from mountain biking to adventure racing to triathlon. Instead of competing as individuals, they race as four-person teams. The race is comprised of four stages, each of which is broken down into different disciplines. Today's 73-kilometer stage, for instance, began with team biathlon, then went on to kayaking, skating, native boats, mountain biking, adventure skills (a 60-meter rappel), and running.

As low morning fog lingered atop the Tuan Shaun Reservoir, the race began. Nokia Adventure, Beaver Creek and EADS all shot to the front of the 20-team pack during the mountain bike biathlon, followed closely by teams Australian Beef and K2. An hour into the competition, teams were strung out along the course. The cool morning temperatures had already been replaced by warm sunshine.

That heat took its toll on several teams, among them Team Mild Seven, the Chinese squad picked by many as a potential winner. They were forced to pull out of the competition when Hongju Zhang, the team's 23-year old female member, became ill and dehydrated. She pressed on, not wanting to quit. However, as Team Mild Seven fell further and further behind other teams, she finally left the race. As medical crews tended to the fallen Zhang, her teammates stayed at her side, offering support. When it became clear she would not be able to resume the race, Team Mild Seven's three remaining members - Haibo Zang, Jiangbo Zang, and Yingqi Tian - chose to continue the race unofficially. Though they won't count in the overall standings, the remaining members of Team Mild Seven said they will continue racing because such sportsmanship and perseverance are "in keeping with the spirit of the MSOQ."

That spirit can be found at the front of the pack - Mike Pigg of Team Beaver Creek rambling about the joys of competing as part of a team - and at the back. "This is the most beautiful, the toughest, and the most competitive event I can remember going to," says Barry Siff of Team Friction Free, who are in last place, almost five hours behind Nokia Adventure in the rankings. "This is truly a great race."

As Siff took a midrace break to offer his point of view, local women in native costume danced and sang, stopping now and again to cheer the competitors. Moments later, Nokia Adventure ran past on their way to victory.

With two of MSOQ's four stages complete, Nokia Adventure seems poised to snare another MSOQ crown. But captain Forsman says his squad isn't conceding anything. "There is still very much racing to do, and these athletes are the best in the world. We won't even think about victory until the final minutes on the final day."

Day Three will ask teams to race 158 kilometers, an Herculean task that will last more than ten hours. Day Four, the finale, will be much shorter, but equally intense. Teams will race up the slopes of majestic Jade Dragon Mountain. This 5500-meter peak, covered by snow, towers over the Lijiang skyline. Athletes will sprint up the slopes in one last competitive burst.

"MSOQ has always been extremely competitive," points out Race Director Murphy Reinschreiber, "but this year it's really something special. Lijiang offers a stunning and challenging natural backdrop, the international field of athletes is the best it's ever been, and the course is the toughest yet. And as good as these first two days of racing have been, the next two will be even better. Anything can happen. Anyone can win."

Day One Day Two Day Three Day Four