Teams Party into the Morning
Next up, Borneo
Bahia Lopez, Bariloche, Argentina — Dec. 12, 1999

	Party Time

What happens when you get all those involved with an Eco-Challenge in one place for a final fling — one huge party!

This party was held outdoors at the ski village of Villa Cerro Catedral, under brilliant starlight and a new moon. An over enthusiastic crowd of almost one thousand attended the official closing awards ceremony for the Eco-Challenge Argentina. Competitors, race management, media, volunteers and dignitaries all gathered for one last hurrah.

"Argentina certainly knows how to party. With three bands, endless champagne and the biggest BBQ you have ever seen, it was a fitting end to this crazy Eco-Challenge...."

Competitors and all involved have worked incredibly hard over the last few weeks. It seems even the media have endured their own version of an Eco-Challenge, with many sleepless nights driving the back roads of Patagonia chasing for glimpses of teams. The never-ending search for communications and the all important jack into the cyber world. Sleep, food and showers become secondary to the monster that the event becomes, having a life all of its own.

Mark Burnett's opening address warning "never to under estimate Patagonia" rang very true as we witnessed the extremes of weather and the fickleness of modern technology in this harsh environment. For all of us lucky enough to experience the event first hand, it is an exhilarating experience to meet new friends and share amazing sights, which we'll all be talking about for years to come.

No sooner have the teams finished here in Argentina, than the buzz of planning and looking forward to the next year's event began — Borneo in Deepest Malaysia, August 2000. I know I for one, wouldn't miss it for the world.

The highlight of the final ceremony is always the sneak preview of the race video. This year we were treated to a Sony high definition video screening of race highlights and the stunning beauty of Patagonia, even competitors were stunned at the visuals they were witnessing! If this is any indication, the Discovery Channel feature is a must see.

Argentina certainly knows how to party. With three bands, endless champagne and the biggest BBQ you have ever seen, it was a fitting end to this crazy Eco-Challenge. 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.

Anyone who competes in this event is a winner but as in any competition some certainly win more than others. A total of $100,000 in prize money was awarded to the top 5 teams as follows:
1st Place-Team Greenpeace (New Zealand) $50,000
2nd Place-Team Sierra Nevada (Spain) $20,000
3rd Place-Team Condor (Argentina) $15,000
4th Place-Team Atlas Snowshoes/Rubicon (USA) $10,000
5th Place-Team Halti (Finland) $5,000

Awards for best times in the individual course legs were also presented. The Prefectura awarded the prize for best time on the water legs to Team Aussie (Australia), the total time for Team Aussie was 20:34. Team Halti (Finland) received the award for fastest time completing the horseback riding leg with a time of 10:43. Team Sierra Nevada (Spain) received the award for fastest time completing the mountaineering leg with a time of two days, 12 hours and 42 minutes.

The Spirit of Discovery Channel Eco-Challenge Award, presented by Loma Negra, is awarded annually to the team displaying the best sportsmanship as well as a keen respect for the environment. This year's Spirit Award went to Team Hombres de Maiz (Guatemala). Race Director Mark Burnett said, "They are an ideal bunch of adventurers, displaying a great, fun spirit and attitude. They are excellent ambassadors for the sport." The team received $5,000 to be donated to the environmental organization of their choice in the team's name.

— Chris Vile, MountainZone.com's weary Kiwi Correspondent