An Emotion-Filled Finish
Eco-Challenge Comes to a Close
Bahia Lopez, Bariloche, Argentina — Dec. 11, 1999

	The End

Team Black Rhino on its 10-day race
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On December 1st, 51 teams set out on a 318km challenge of a life time through the wilds of Patagonia. Ten days later, on December 10th, it officially came to a close when Team Black Rhino (South Africa) and Team Energizer Aconcagua (Argentina) crossed the finnish line together at 10:30pm in Bahia Lopez.

These two teams have travelled together from day two of the race, deciding to pool their resources and continue the course as one team. At one point the two teams, totaling eight people, squeezed into a two-man tent to survive the bitter cold and snow of the now infamous Patagonian storm. The following morning the Argentine female member was obviously hypothermic. The team decided that the only solution was to radio for help and retire from the race. With the encouragement of their new South African friends, the team decided to abandon this plan and gingerly continue. Eight days later they crossed the finish line arm in arm. The responsibility placed on the shoulders of South African Captain Andrew Telfer, now navigating for the two teams, obviously took its toll. As his teammates celebrated on the podium, he slinked off and collapsed exhausted into a waiting mini van.

"Argentina you have a beautiful country!" — Ian Tyrer, Team Black Rhino

The scene at the finish line was emotional as friends and family joined in the chanting and singing chorus of the large local crowd, who were so much a part of this event from day one. So good to see that, in fact, these last two teams have had almost as big a welcome as the first teams to arrive five days before them. Obviously delighted at the team's success, Ian Tyrer, from the South African team, shouted above the screaming crowd, "Argentina you have a beautiful country!"

Tyrer was very proud of his team, the first from South Africa to ever finish an Eco-Challenge or any similar event. "We have had a great race. We wanted to finish and stay friends and we did, even though we were down and out earlier we never thought of quitting!"

Of the 51 teams that began this race only 34 have finished as ranked teams, with 17 disqualified after injury, missing time cutoffs or dropping out. Now all that remains is tonight's closing party, preparations are well under way for an all-night bash under the stars — a fitting end to an amazing 10 days!

— Chris Vile, MountainZone.com Correspondent