The Daily Action Countdown
[Countdown to Borneo 2000]

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Teams Party into the Morning
Sunday, December 12, 1999
"As the sun rose, the party was still going strong, just another day in an event where the need for sleep seems to evaporate for everyone...."

An Emotion-Filled Finish
Saturday, December 11, 1999
"The responsibility placed on the shoulders of South African Captain Andrew Telfer obviously took its toll. As his teammates celebrated on the podium, he slinked off and collapsed exhausted into a waiting mini van..."

Last US Team Finishes
Thursday, December 9, 1999
"At the finish, the team broke into the Princeton fighting song. Captain Rick Corcoran saying, 'This was harder than we thought it would ever be.'..."

Race Continues On
Wednesday, December 8, 1999
"Two members of Team Turk were flown to Bariloche hospital and later discharged suffering from exhaustion and stress-induced gastric problems. The remaining two team members where flown to Pampa Linda (PC16) where, determined to finish the course, they tried to find able-bodied competitors to join them...."

Team East Wind First Japanese Team to Ever Finish
Wednesday, December 8, 1999
"Team Eastwind of Japan...is the first Japanese team to ever finish an Eco-Challenge event, in this their 4th attempt. It was an emotional end to the race for this team who had dedicted the event to an original team member Kazuki Kurata who was drowned in a training accident a year ago. ..."

Last Year's Winners Take Sixth
Tuesday, December 7, 1999
"Team Vail arrived in Bariloche over one month before the race to familiarize themselves with the terrain. They described the course 'as the best we've ever done.'..."

Mostly Female Team Takes 4th
Monday, December 6, 1999
"Team Rubicon has been since day one a major force in this race, often traveling sections of the course with winners Team Greenpeace. Andrea Murray of Greenpeace says having the company of three other women on the course was actually a highlight of her race...."

Team Greenpeace Wins in Just Five Days!
Monday, December 6, 1999
"It is hard to imagine, as they exit their kayaks, that just over five days ago they began a nonstop, 318km journey through the most rugged and majestic terrain that Patagonia has to offer..."

Next Obstacle: Mount Tronador
Sunday, December 5, 1999
"Mount Tronador, one of the tallest peaks in Patagonia at 3,554 meters, towers in the distance above Pampa Linda(PC16). Whether it will be safe for competitors to reach the summit has been a matter of debate, but after a thorough check of the snow conditions they have been given the green light to proceed...."

Bushwacking Through Bamboo
Sunday, December 5, 1999
"The bamboo is low and as we are pulling our way through, it wrapped around our feet. You need to be an octopus to get through this stuff..."

Race Course Changed
Saturday, December 4, 1999
"At 1pm today event organizers were forced to alter the course of the race. 'I have changed the course for approximately 21 teams at PC7," said Mark Burnett..."This slight change was made in order not to risk lives versus letting them go up the wall in these dangerous conditions.'..."

Teams Stranded in Storm
Saturday, December 4, 1999
"Drastic weather has made it a matter of sheer survival for those unfortunate enough to be caught in the high alpine anywhere between PC7 and PC11. This part of the course has been officially placed on hold and all teams have been ordered to return to PC7...."

Course Taking Its Toll
Friday, December 3, 1999
"Earlier this afternoon, Team Outback Canada was rescued between PC6 and PC7 way off course...completely lost, with female member Laura Walsh suffering from severe abdominal pains and two of her teammates suffering from dehydration...."

Teams Cooperating on Navigation
Friday, December 3, 1999
"Mark Burnett, the man responsible for setting the course, said he could not believe the accuracy of these first two teams. Trekking through a myriad of canyons and thick impenetrable bamboo, the progress can be excruciatingly slow...."

Lead Teams to PC7
Thursday, December 2, 1999
"Just in hand is news that Team Atlas Snowshoes/Rubicon and Team Greenpeace have arrived at PC7 well ahead of forecasts, after the first trekking leg of the race...."

Disaster Strikes Team
Thursday, December 2, 1999
"Team MapInfo, a hot favorite from New Zealand has been disqualified after team member Kristina Strode-Penny had to withdraw with a suspected fractured ankle...."

Down Under Teams Dominate on the Water
Wednesday, December 1, 1999
"Paddling into the river mouth and a chaotic crowd of thousands, team members were forced to abandon their trusty kayaks and take the plunge into the freezing, swiftly flowing river...."

Patagonian Winds Pick Up
Wednesday, December 1, 1999
"As the day has progressed the infamous Patagonian winds have transformed the millpond of the lake this morning to a much more sinister scenario...."

Pandemonium at the Start
Wednesday, December 1, 1999
"The scene erupting before us was straight from the set of Titanic. Competitors thrashing through the frigid waters screaming for their teammates in a desperate effort to regroup. Madness, though we would expect no less...."

Pre-Race Feeding Frenzy
Tuesday, November 30, 1999
"Competitors have spent the day here getting tested on the skills required to ensure their safety on the paddling leg of the race. i.e they gotta swim, and be able to right a flipped kayak...."

Opening Ceremonies
Monday, November 29, 1999
"The compulsory welcome from local dignitaries and event organizer Mark Burnett was followed by entertainment from local dance troupes. For those for which it hadn't clicked yet it was a dramatic reminder that we are in an exotic beautiful land...."

All Teams Have Arrived
Sunday, November 28, 1999
"The rumor mill of the Eco-Challenge is a powerful thing and word quickly spreads of teams having already spent a month or more in the area..."

Pre-Race Logistics
Sunday, November 28, 1999
"Imagine the most baggage you have ever traveled with and multiply it by three. So once again it's the baggage sorting mission from hell as shuttle vans drive off in horror at the sight of it all..."