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The scene at the stilted and sprawling Dragon Inn – the finish line for Eco-Challenge Sabah 2000 – today was one of both triumph and relief.
One by one, beleaguered back-of-the-pack teams paddled their all-too-familiar Perahu outriggers up to the dock in front of the waterfront VIP viewing area. Many whooped and cheered. Some quietly disembarked and cracked open cold beers. Others greeted friends and family. For all, the utter exhaustion of 11 days on the course was suddenly erased – temporarily, at least – by elation.
Though the first place team was long gone, having arrived some four days earlier, it was still a day of firsts. Teams from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Singapore all became the first from their respective countries to officially finish an Eco-Challenge race.
Of the 21 teams that finished officially today, 14, including Team Outback Adventures Australia [go to Team Bio] and Team BAX Global [go to Team Bio], were racing in their first Eco-Challenge. Seven unranked teams finished as well, keeping the empty-Perahu delivery boys busy all day.
Nineteen-year-old Ian Cummings, member of Ireland's Team North/South [go to Team Bio], became the youngest person to ever successfully complete an Eco-Challenge, finishing in 27th place. "It feels brilliant to be here," he said. "Absolutely brilliant."
The jovial Team USUK, made up of members of Team Go (United States) and Team The North Face (United Kingdom), also finished today. "We're the first all-male foursome to finish, the first Anglo-American team to finish, and, according to the guy at PC27, the smelliest team on the trail," said Steve Watkins, formerly of Team The North Face [go to Team Bio].
But the scene wasn't so uplifting for all who were present.
Thirty-four-year-old Terrence Berger of Team Earth Island/Travelocity [go to Team Bio] looked on with disappointment. "It's tough watching all these teams come in," he said, nursing a beer. His team had been disqualified the previous day when two members, suffering medical problems, had called for emergency evacuation. In all, 32 teams were disqualified.
And as night fell on the still waters surrounding the Dragon Inn, with music blaring from the open-air bar area, but one Eco-Challenge Sabah 2000 team remained out on the course.
Team Worldview [go to Team Bio], from the UK, will struggle to make tomorrow's noon cutoff.
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