Updates from The Mountain Zone Cybercast

U.S.A competitors before opening parade. (photo: Chris Vile)

The last two days have seen a frenzy of activity in Cairns as competitiors, crew and media have converged from all over the world for what has been described as "the world's toughest adventure race".

The teams have been put through a vigorous schedule of event registration, equipment checking and competence testing in the various disciplines they will be competing in over the next 10 days. The local park has been converted into a mini arena with organisation of military standard to collect the mass of equipment from the 192 competitors.

The safety of competitors and crew is a major issue and much time has been spent educating us on all of the hazards of this environment. While Tropical North Queensland is renowned for its beautiful and diverse landscapes, it is also home to many extreme hazards. While traversing the rugged environment competitors must face the prospect of encountering snakes, spiders, crocodiles, insects, stinging trees and spare grass. A conference hall jammed with everyone to have course access was held riveted by a live display of some of the local nasty snakes. Australia is home to 20 of the 30 most dangerous snakes in the world and it is a definite possibility that racers will meet some of them at some point in the race.

Early today all teams and organisers teamed up in an official gesture to enhance the environment here in Cairns.

The environment is an integral part of the Eco-Challenge concept and the idea of leaving an area untouched or left in a better state than before it was visited is highly stressed to all competitors. Clean Up Australia 2001 and the Cairns City Council have formed an international alliance to help repair and restore the environmental quality of Freshwater Creek - located just north west of Cairns.

Local Aboriginal Dance Kids. (photo: Chris Vile)

The center of Cairns,for the event, has become Fogarty Park. It has been a huge carnaval atmosphere all weekend with many people attending the official civic opening ceremony and an entertainment program featuring local Aboriginal dancers and Australia's number 1 cross-cultural rock band Yothu Yindi. The weather here has been perfect, hot and sunny which has made for real party atmosphere as everyone kicks back and enjoys the Eco-Challenge show until all hell breaks loose tomorrow for the official race start.

Start time is 5:00pm AUS Monday.

-- Chris Vile, Mountain Zone Kiwi Correspondent