The experienced American foursome – two women and two men – has been pounding the course hard, picking off one team at a time on their way to 10th place through PC28, less than an hour behind Canada's Team Subaru Outback [go to Team Bio] and some 11 hours behind local favorites Team Sabah 2000.

"I'm using this pole to stay on the white line while I sleepwalk," said Jacques Boutet, leaning on a walking stick while trudging methodically along the paved road between PC 27 and PC 28.

Only four PC's remain for Hi-Tec and time to pass other teams is dwindling. But according to Captain David Kelly, the team is working to maintain maximum forward motion. "It's a super super delicate balancing act," said Kelly, 35, a five-time Eco-Challenger. "We're all broken down physically and psychologically. We're going on very little sleep."

Terry Schneider "If I stop moving, my feet swell up. But I just stuff them back in my shoes, you sort of get numb to it."

Today, the squad passed through the 22-kilometer combined trek, climbing ascent and caving rappel between PC 25 and PC 27. "We paddled hard for five hours and I was shattered by the time we got to the ropes," explained Boutet, 44.

"There's no part of the course that's easy this year," said Boutet. "This race is a statement."

Boutet, a civil engineer from Anchorage, Alaska, admitted humbly that he thought his teammates were disappointed in him, though they didn't show it outwardly. "I think they're absolutely right. I have no qualms there," he said. "I haven't adapted well to the heat. I've been suffering from trench foot for days. I'm constantly on the verge of dehydration."

"They wanted to be in the top five and they deserved to be," said an earnest Boutet, the team's eldest member by five years.

Contrary to Boutet, the team did not seem displeased, but rather invigorated by the approaching finish line. "I'm actually excited to get back in that boat and off my feet," said 39-year-old hard-body Terry Schneider, wearing only her pack, a jog-bra, string bikini and hiking shoes in the hot Malaysian night.

Like many racers this year, Schneider, a four-time Eco-Challenger, has suffered from painful foot problems. "If I stop moving, my feet swell up. But I just stuff them back in my shoes," she said. "You sort of get numb to it."

The team wants to pass Subaru Outback before finishing the race. "I think we'll make it tomorrow," said Boutet.

"We'd like to be back in time for brunch," added Kelly.


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