Team Vail
Team Number: 43
Country: USA
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COMPETITOR	AGE	RESIDENCE	PROFESSION
William Mattison, CAPTAIN	41	Vail, Colorado, USA	Ski Patroller Owner: Timberline Tours Whitewater
Athletic Resume: Eco-Challenge 1996-98: 19th place in '97, 1st place in '98. 1997 Eco-Challenge Race Series Malibu, California 2nd Place, 1994 Gore Canyon Race (whitewater rafting) 1st place, 1989-95 Gore Canyon Kayak Race. Billy is a member of the Vail ski patrol and climbed Mt. McKinley in 1990.
COMPETITOR	AGE	RESIDENCE	PROFESSION
Sara Ballantyne	39	Breckenridge, Colorado, USA	Self-employed
Athletic Resume: Eco-Challenge 1997-98: 19th place in '97, 1st place in '98. 1997 Eco-Challenge Race Series Malibu, California 2nd Place, 1996 Korbel Lifetime Achievement Award in mountain biking, 1992 and 1996 Top-10 World Cup overall, 1996 National Championship Series 3rd overall, 1994 National Championship Series 4th overall, 1994 World Champion Bronze Medalist in mountain biking.
COMPETITOR	AGE	RESIDENCE	PROFESSION
Michael Kloser	38	Vail, Colorado, USA	Athlete and Resort Manager
Athletic Resume: Eco-Challenge 1997-98: 19th place in '97, 1st place in '98. 1997 Eco-Challenge Race Series Malibu, California 2nd Place, 1997 Steamboat Pentathlon winner, 1996 AquaTerra Mountain Bike Triathlon 9th place, 1991-92 Top-10 Mountain Bike World Cup overall, 1990 National Mountain Bike Duathlon 1st place, 1989-90 Mountain Bike World Cup runner-up, 1995 24 hours of Moab winner.
COMPETITOR	AGE	RESIDENCE	PROFESSION
Andreas Boesel	48	Vail, Colorado, USA	Restaurant Manager
Athletic Resume: Eco-Challenge 1995 and 1998; 13th place in '95(Utah), 1st place in '98. Two-time Hawaii Ironman Competitor, three-time Worlds Toughest Triathlon (two 1st place finishes), 1st place Estes Park Alpine Classic, seven-time Mountain Man Winter Triathlon Competitor (three 1st place finishes), Six 1st place finishes in Aspen Triathlon, Embrun Man Triathlon (11th place).
ABOUT TEAM VAIL: Team Vail became the first American team to win the Discovery Channel Eco-Challenge, by finishing the Moroccan course in six days, 22 hours and 15 minutes. Team Vail is the only US team returning as the same four racers, once again captained by Billy Mattison, a triathlete, kayak instructor and Ski Patrol member. Team member Michael Kloser is a professional mountain bike racer with several Top-10 finishes in the World Cup. Teammate Sara Ballantyne is a fellow professional mountain biker with several Top-10 World Cup finishes to her name. Sara also won the Bronze Medal in the 1994 World Championships and received the Korbel Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996 for mountain biking. Andreas Boesel is a top mountain runner and skier who won many triathlon titles in his illustrious nine-year career.