In agony and nearly in tears, Ishikawa, the least experienced member of the team, pushed on.

Today, AXN Salomon EastWind made a transition into another boat, one that they've already spent two days getting to know: the Perahu outrigger.

It was another painful transition. But this time, rather than bashed knees, the problem was blistered feet.

EastWind wasn't the only team having feet problems today. Other top teams, including Team Earthlink (USA)[go to Team Bio], Team Fairydown Fleet CookieTime [go to Team Bio] and Team Nokia [go to Team Bio], had dropped out of the race in the preceding 24 hours � all citing excruciating foot pain.

"I want to cry when I see how much everybody is helping out and supporting one another."

"Can I go on?" EastWind's Masayuki Takahata asked a member of the Eco-Challenge medical staff, who was busy examining the bottoms of his blistered and soaking wet feet. His wrinkled soles were parched white, with a pinkish, blistery sheen.

"These are looking really good," said the doctor, after rubbing iodine on Takahata's toes. Takahata put his head down on the table, grabbing a few moments rest while the doctor continued to work.

Despite the doctor's encouragement, Takahata was clearly hurting. "I think I can go on," he said, wincing.

Takahata, a 26-year-old river guide, placed 15th last year at Eco-Challenge Argentina. He says that he has lost his will to go on several times during this year's race, but isn't ready to give in yet. "There is only one team from Japan," he said, citing his motivations. "And also I have great teammates."

Teammate Ishikawa, who works at REI in Japan, was sprawled out on the wooden medical table next to him, also receiving foot treatments. He was looking infinitely better than he had the previous day, when he had bashed his leg on a rock during the Segama River swim.

Ishikawa also had kind words for his teammates. "I want to cry when I see how much everybody is helping out and supporting one another," he said through a translator.

As the team carried their Perahu down the bank, a limping Takahata grimaced. In contrast, team captain Masato Tanaka, an experienced racer, seemed rather untouched by the rigors of the previous week.

Then, at 3:00 p.m., dressed in black lycra tights, Team AXN Salomon EastWind put their Perahu in the water and paddled into the wind.

PC24 is roughly six hours due south.

Go to Feature // Clean, Calm, and Organized?
Go to Teams // Team AXN/Sony Salomon // Bio