Team East Wind First Japanese Team to Ever Finish
Burnett Considering Pulling Last Place Team Turk
Bahia Lopez, Bariloche, Argentina — Dec. 8, 1999

	Teams South Africa and Aconcagua

Team Energizer Aconcagua on the course
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The forecast of more bad weather has not eventuated here in Bariloche and the day has dawned another stunning blue sky day.

A perfect morning to finish a week of hell. Team Hi-Tec (UK) arrived at the finish line just after 8:00am, team member Sir Randolph Fines described the highlight of their race as "It was so nice to race in a completely unspoiled environment... it was great to touch all the leaves and trees without getting stung, and seeing no humans was a bonus. We were totally stoked that there was no mountain biking leg!"

Following them at 10:20am was Team Eastwind of Japan. It is the first Japanese team to ever finish an Eco-Challenge event, in this their 4th attempt.

It was an emotional end to the race for this team who had dedicated the event to an original team member Kazuki Kurata who was drowned in a training accident a year ago. The team said they were going to go home to his grave to tell him of their hard-earned success here in Patagonia, but they were convinced he already knew.

"The team wanted to continue on with only one paddle per two-man boat, but as the paddles are mandatory equipment, they cannot continue....."

Heartache of a different kind for Team Foster's Australia which this morning awoke to find they had dropped in ranking, after finishing 7th place yesterday, to 9th place. They had been taxed a six-hour time penalty after it was discovered they were missing some of their mandatory medical kit. Small insignificant items maybe but the rules are clear what the teams must have with them at all times...so to the penalties.

It is unfortunate though that six hours added after the finish line means that two teams are now ahead of them. Fosters was appealing this decision and looking forward to the arrival of their sponsor's product...good cold Aussie beer.

	Team South Africa on the ropes

In another example of the mandatory equipment rule, Team Issy Adventure France has been held up almost in sight of the finish line at PC27. The team has lost two of their paddles as they portaged their kayaks earlier this morning. The team wanted to continue on with only one paddle per two-man boat, but as the paddles are mandatory equipment, they cannot continue. The team is now desperately trying to borrow the equipment from teams who have withdrawn from the race.

Way at the back of the course, Mark Burnett is considering pulling Team Turk from the course because he is not confident they are able to make it up and down the mountaineering leg on Mount Tronador. The team, meanwhile, is very determined that it will finish this race.

All teams except Team Turk have passed through PC16 at Pampa Linda and are heading towards Tronador, at least now they are able to follow a well-trod trail.

Yesterday evening Teams Argentina and Team Black Rhino South Africa arrived at PC16. They have combined forces and are enjoying the course... "we were never here to win the race, but to enjoy this beautiful country," said Lindy Bradshaw of the Black Rhino Team as they walked off arm in arm singing into the distance.

— Chris Vile, MountainZone.com Correspondent