The Sea Kayaking

After this mornings 14km camel section, teams had to wait for all their members to arrive at PC1 before venturing into the water for the coasteering.

Surprisingly enough, the lead teams after the camel leg were Namibia and Morocco, obviously with good camel backgrounds. Many other teams were not so lucky, including several who ended up with pregnant animals and even young ones in tow.

"Any teams caught on the water after dark are penalized heavily with a one hour deficit for each minute they are outside the dark zone..."

Coasteering involved scrambling around the coast with 4km of swimming around headlands where necessary. For the first teams, this was a breeze as the tide was mostly out so that not a lot of time was spent in the water. For the most part, these front teams were running on incredibly scenic beaches. But the tide was certainly not waiting for the teams further back, who lost a lot of time.

	Braving the surf

Next stop the Sea Kayaking.

Team Argentina led with Team Big Sky USA, with teams Morocco and Heart Fit(Britain) following closely as they charged into the surf at Sidi Kaouki.

The competitors are now kayaking 79.5km, during daylight only...any teams caught on the water after dark are penalized heavily with a one hour deficit for each minute they are outside the dark zone.

All teams were tested for competency in the surf yesterday, but today the conditions are much worse with high winds and larger waves proving extremely hard work for many of the less experienced kayakers.

Team Just Do It France became the first victim of this course after having to be rescued from their swamped kayaks in the high seas.

Team Aussie (Australia) is currently leading this leg..looking very strong and making good time. At this point a lot of team strategy is at play as the dark zones are strictly enforced; many teams decided earlier this afternoon to sit tight rather than risk getting caught after dark.

With the lead teams one pace ahead, the race will resume at first light tomorrow.

— Chris Vile, Mountain Zone Correspondent

Essaouira, Morocco— Tuesday, Oct. 6, 1998 8am

	And they're off

Local turnout a big event

Hear Team Wild South Adventure's Tane Humphrey talk about Jimi Hendrix's castle

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After days of nervous preparation and excitment, the '98 Discovery Channel Eco-Challenge has begun in no less than spectacular style.

Two hundred twenty athletes astride one of the largest collections of Camels gathered for an organized event. This first leg takes the teams on camelback for 1.4km south to begin coasteering for 3km and then sea kayaking for 89km.

"Already the med teams have been busy in the last 24 hours treating more than 30 cases of acute gastro-enteritis..."

The local turn out for this event was as much an event as the race start itself with literally 1000's of colorful locals charging off down the beach in pursuit of the camels.

	Camel butts [click for bios]

Already the med teams have been busy in the last 24 hours treating more than 30 cases of acute gastro-enteritis, a result of local diet and pre race nerves.

Stay tuned as we enter the Atlantic Ocean this afternoon..

— Chris Vile, Mountain Zone Correspondent

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