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Follow Team EarthLink at the Eco-Challenge directly from Fiji
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Team EarthLink Takes 5th Place Finish in the 2002 Eco-Challenge Fiji, 10/19

Team EarthLink battled land, water, heat, cold, illness and fatigue for 8 days, 6 hours and 15 minutes in what has been considered the toughest adventure race ever. The cumulative effort by Jason, Robyn, Isaac and Mike earned an incredible podium finish in 5th place at the 2002 Eco-Challenge Fiji.

The Team paddled into the finish line on Fiji’s Denarau Island on Saturday afternoon. Two days ago, the top 10 teams in this year’s race were all still vying for the title. Two teams, Buff AXN from Spain and Montrail from the U.S., were forced out of the race in the last 24 hours because of injury or illness. The brutal course was just too long and too difficult for many teams to complete for the majority of the field, and with the top six teams in, only 17 teams remain on the course. Fifty-eight of the original 81 teams have dropped out.

The 2002 Eco-Challenge took teams on an epic journey approximately 300 miles on land and water from Fiji’s impenetrable jungles and cascading water falls, out to the Yasawa Islands in the Pacific Ocean. For more than 8 days, Team EarthLink navigated the course in the disciplines of jungle trekking, ocean paddling, swimming, coasteering, mountain biking, river kayaking and packrafting, fixed ropes and canyoneering.

The Team is happy and relieved to be finished with this grueling journey as they shower, eat, rest and reminisce about their epic adventure.

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Team EarthLink Makes Ocean Leg, Paddles for Leaders, Day-7, 10/17

Team EarthLink broke from shore at approximately 10:30 a.m. Fijian time. They’re into the Pacific and chasing the top 7 teams after maintaining their top-10 ranking throughout the second, and last, mountain bike leg of the 2002 Eco-Challenge.

The team powered through the Nausori Highlands on their EPX mountain bikes yesterday, stopping briefly to re-hydrate Isaac as he battled a stomach bug. According the Robyn, everyone on the Team had fought a round with the bug, and unfortunately it appeared to be Isaac’s turn. She was confident at the time that he would make a quick recovery. His recovery seemed apparent as they entered CP 11 at Saweni Beach – the beginning of the ocean kayaking leg.

Entering the camp early on the morning on Day-6, the team followed the 1st place Buff AXN, from Spain, by approximately 10 hours. With strong trade winds and a little help from Lady Luck, Jason and Mike can power up the kites in an attempt to run down the top 5. Jason, Robyn, Isaac and Mike are all very strong, expert paddlers and can certainly make up time on the ocean.

Leaving Saweni beach, the winds were not yet strong enough to launch the kites, so they settled into their kayaks and pushed through the water stroke by stroke. A couple hours into the kayaking leg will see them land at Vomo Island, the first Checkpoint along the paddle.

From Vomo Island, Teams must move to the adjoined Waya and Wayasewa Islands, where they will circumnavigate the two, a trip expected to take from 10-12 hours, before moving back towards the Finish Line on Denarau Island.

-TE-

Team EarthLink Pushes Across the “Trail of Fire” and Up Vuwa Falls, Moves into 7th Place, Day-5, 10/15

EarthLink powered-up for their run at the leaders after a rest at CP 5. With Trisler healthy again, and the rest of the Team rested from the stop while he recovered, they’re charging towards the forefront and have overtaken two more teams en route to CP 8.

The Team left CP 5, in 9th place, embarking on a treacherous 51 km hike and scramble up the “Trail of Fire,” named for its fierce and unforgiving landscape of climactic ridges and valleys. The epic journey then lead the Team to CP 6 at the base of the 120-meter tall Vuwa Falls. Attached to fixed ropes, EarthLink ascended the falls, scrambling over slippery rocks and swimming through pools of water suspended on ledges.

By 3:05 p.m. on Day-5, EarthLink had made their way through the first ropes section and out of CP 7 – only 5 minutes behind the 7th place Team Spie and 7 hours behind the 1st place Team Montrail. Six hour later, EarthLink held the 7th spot and continued after the front four, which were racing only minutes apart.

Over the night, the Team will move through the first-ever Eco-Challenge packrafting section and is expected to hit CP 8 on the afternoon or evening of Day-6.

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Despite Obstacles, EarthLink Maintains Top-10 Ranking, Day-4, 10/14

The Team hit a few obstacles on Day 2 and 3 that would have knocked many teams to the back of the pack – and others out of the race entirely. But superior horse power and competitive drive kept them in 9th place, within hours of the lead teams coming into Checkpoint (CP) 5.

Approximately 3 hours out of CP 3 – still vying for first place – the Team was making their way out of the Sovi Basin en route to Waivaka Pasture and the mountain bike pick-up. On the final ridge, an extremely demanding section of the race, a tricky navigational point sent them off course and into the night. After a few hours of correction, they fought their way out of the “Lost World” and hit Waivaka at approximately 5 p.m. on Day 2, holding strong among the top 10 teams.

The non-stop pace to keep up with the leaders, along with dehydration and presumably some local food or water caused Mike Trisler to take ill over the night. He fought stomach problems for an estimated 12 hours before making it to the kayak drop off point at CP 5.

Teams began paddling into CP 5 the morning of Day 3. EarthLink appeared from around a bend in the river less than an hour behind the 8th place New Zealanders, Seagate.com, and made their way to shore. Jason and Isaac lead the team into the kayak drop off with Robyn following and Trisler in tow.

While Robyn helped Mike over the immediate Navua River crossing, Jason and Isaac deflated and packed up the team’s kayaks.

Despite the recent challenges, including Trisler’s failing condition, Jason and Isaac arrived in good spirits. “I think this is the best I’ve ever felt at an Eco-Challenge,” Jason commented to the Eco-Challenge TV-production cameras, which immediately surrounded the duo. Isaac added: “this is definitely one of my favorite races ever.”

Finishing with the kayaks, Jason and Isaac forged the river to join their teammates, vowing their “number one priority is to get Mike feeling better.” And when he’s ready, they’re back in the hunt for the leaders.

Hours later, an unconfirmed rumor spread that Trisler had quickly recovered after resting a bit at the Namuamua Village. The Team was back on their feet, and they were already making good on their promise to charge ahead by catching up with the 8th place Kiwis on their way to Vuwa Falls.

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EarthLink In 3-way Tie for First at CP 3, 10/12

Throughout the night, Team EarthLink floated down the Wainimala River on their bilibili raft side by side with GoLite – their rival previously named Eco-Internet from the Eco-Challenge in New Zealand, an Australian team, and a team from South Africa. Safety in numbers seemed to be the motto as the teams navigated the tricky waters on their shaky crafts all night.

Once out of the water, EarthLink checked in and out of CP 2 as one of the top 4 of 81 teams, a field that includes some of the strongest expedition racers in the world.

EarthLink dove into the Sovi Basin, deemed one of the toughest navigational spots ever included in an Eco-Challenge. The section included hours of decision making through the dense rain forest. Many teams are expected to get lost and can potentially wander for days without proper navigation.

Plowing through the jungle, EarthLink hit CP 3 in a three-way tie for first with Teams Mazda (the South Africans), and Air Pacific (the Aussies).

The last third of the Sovi Basin leg is perceived by race course management as some of the toughest of the entire event. Teams will face critical navigation as well as torturous physical tests. Other hardships for teams who spend too much time looking for the way out, are the wet conditions – they’ve been hit with sporadic rainfall since the race start, and calorie deficiency – they do not reach a point to replenish food supplies until the mountain bike pick up.

The next stop is at Waivaka Pasture where teams will begin the first mountain bike leg of the course, and will finally be able to access their own food and dry cloths.

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Eco-Challenge 2002 Begins, Team EarthLink sprints to the lead, holds top 15 place through CP 1, 10/11

The Eco-Challenge 2002 kicked off at approximately 9 a.m. Fijian time. The gun sounded, and Team EarthLink bolted from the starting line with 80 other teams from 23 countries, as they embarked on an epic journey across the Fiji Islands.

The race began with a surprise start near Navucini Village on the island of Viti Levu. Competitors, loaded in jungle busses with no clue of their destination, were driven over-night to the starting line. After being greeted at the village by singing school children and a traditional warrior dance, Teams were quickly herded down to the starting line. They were given very little information about the course, approximately 15 minutes to review their maps, and were sent off into the jungle as Mark Burnett – Eco-Challenge creator – sounded off in his traditional: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, GO!

In every Eco-Challenge past, and in most expedition-length races around the world, teams are given topographical maps and coordinates for Check Points (CPs) at least 24 hours before the start of the race. But the Eco-Challenge had promised this year to put more “expedition” back into the race, and started the race allowing teams more flexibility on routes along the course.

Eco-Challenge made good on its promise again at CP 1. Teams began arriving approximately 3 hours into the race to find piles of bamboo and instructions that they were to build bilibili rafts – traditional Fijian crafts used to travel Fiji’s many rivers – for the next leg of the race.

After radio reports that EarthLink took an early lead right from the start, a navigational miss-step may have been what dropped them to 14th arriving at CP 1. They made up time by working together to build a sturdy craft, and hours into the bilibili, radio reports once again put them at the front of the pack.

Teams moved into CP 2 over the night, dropping their bilibili rafts and beginning the next trekking leg into the Sovi Basin, which is also known as “The Lost World” for its impenetrable jungles.

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Competitor Registration and Ability Testing, 10/9

Teams converged on the Tokatoka Hotel, near the Nadi International Airport, at 7 a.m. on Wednesday morning for competitor registration and ability testing.

After a last minute scramble to replace a broken paddle – fortunately the only casualty from the long flight – and some blown bike shocks, the team hit the chaos of the 81-team registration quickly and calmly. Luckily, they wrap after one day – passing tests at stations for climbing, water, safety, medical, media, etc., and signing all final registration and waiver forms.

Following the registration, teams headed to the competitor briefing, where the Eco-Challenge crew and Fijian Tourism department formally welcomed them to town. Mark Burnett cautioned competitors of the changes in this year’s race – it will be more of an exploration, with less Check Points and more decision making. And unlike years past, maps were not yet provided. Team Captains gathered the mandatory packing list and herded their teams to the opening ceremony.

Fire walking and traditional Fijian Tribal dances were performed for the crowd at the ceremony, but the party did not last long. Competitors, anxious to get started on their last night of sleep, moved back to their respective hotels and lock themselves in. It all begins tomorrow, starting with an over-night bus ride to the Race Start.

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Pre-Race Update, 10/6

Arriving in Fiji, the Team is greeted with BULA! Hello, and welcome to Fiji! Home to some of the friendliest people on Earth, Fiji is a tropical paradise comprising more than 300 islands. And the Team plans to soak up as much sun, sand and surf as possible in a few days, enjoying the friendly climate and an atmosphere most conducive to lounging by the Pacific sipping Fiji Bitters (the popular island brew).

The team did not show up early to train, but to rest up for the grueling course that will take them 300-miles over land and sea, 24-hours a day, for 5 to ten days.

“I like to sit around for a few days [before a long race] and start to feel a little pudgy – then I’m ready to get out on the course and work it off!” Jason jokes.

But a few days is not enough for these athletes to get “pudgy.” They’ve worked all year to be in peak physical and mental shape for this race. The many shorter races and copies training sessions over the summer have prepared them for this – the world’s toughest adventure race – the Eco-Challenge.

In the final days before the race, the team will also focus on organizing gear, and making sure there are no last-minute emergencies. A few trips into the bush or out on the ocean to re-confirm they’re well prepared, and then it’s time for race briefings, registration, and the starting line.

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August 24, Balance Bar 24-Hour Adventure Series Race #3, Boston

Following an impressive 4th place finish at the Ford Gorge Games and a win at the Cal-Eco Adventure Series Finals, Team EarthLink traveled to Boston for the third of five races in the Balance Bar 24-Hour Adventure Series.

Team members, Jason Middleton, Robyn Benincasa and Isaac Wilson, battled 56 other teams through approximately 28 miles of kayaking, 22 miles of mountain biking and 19 miles of running/hiking through downtown Boston, Wompatuck State Park, Bumpkin Island and Quincy. Team EarthLink fought for the title all day – exchanging the lead several times – in what the Balance Bar Series has billed as “the most highly contested battle yet” in their series and earned a 2nd place finish after approximately 13.5 hours – just 20 minutes behind the winning team.

Team EarthLink took the lead early during the first paddling section of the race, which started at approximately 6 a.m. at Fan Pier in the Boston Harbor. After the initial 12 mile kayak, the team jumped on their mountain bikes two minutes ahead of the next team, and took off towards Wompatuck State Park.

EarthLink exchanged leads with rival Team Sobe throughout the 22-mile bike ride completing the section together, with Team Balance Bar only minutes behind. Another 8-mile ocean paddle section led teams to the town of Quincy, where Team EarthLink once again gained the lead before trading their kayaks for climbing gear.

Sobe passed Team EarthLink on the following running/hiking leg beating them to the ropes. Teams trekked to the ropes section – a 50-ft. rappel and zip line – before dumping their climbing gear and continuing on their 20-mile run to the final section of the race.

Holding second, Team EarthLink paddled to the finish line only 20 minutes behind 1st place.

The 3rd Balance Bar 24-hour Adventure Series race is scheduled to air on the Outdoor Life Network on October 16 at 10 p.m. EST (check local listings).

Team EarthLink’s next stop will be in Fiji for the world’s toughest adventure race, the Eco-Challenge 2002.

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August 3, Cal-Eco Adventure Race Finals and Series Championship, Tahoe

Team EarthLink won the Cal-Eco Adventure Race Finals this weekend and brought home the over-all series championship! (The Cal-Eco series began this March and included five 1- and 2-day adventure races throughout California. Team EarthLink finished 1st, 4th, 3rd and 2nd respectively in the 4-person, coed division leading up to the finals. Official results can be seen at: http://www.csmevents.com/results.html.)

The race kicked off at approximately 8:20 p.m., California time, at the Orville Reservoir (near Lake Tahoe in Northern California) and led teams through approximately 30 miles of paddling in two-person, inflatable kayaks. Team EarthLink powered through the first leg, and finished the paddle in approximately 10 hours -- an hour and 30 minutes ahead of the rest of the field.

Coming out of the water, the team immediately jumped on their EPX mountain bikes for a 75-mile ride, with more than 30 miles of climbing, followed by serious "bike-whacking" (bush-whacking with bikes) to the second transition area (TA).

The next leg of mountaineering pushed the Team to the highest elevation of the race -- approximately 8,500 ft. -- up the Pacific Crest Trail. After successfully negotiating a technical rappel, the Team took off for a long trial run before landing at Passport Control (PC) station 10, where their growing lead allowed them to take a quick nap (40 minutes) before continuing to the finish.

Another good hike, 2 hour bush-whack, and 1 and a half hour run finished off the course at approximately 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, giving the team top honors for the course, and the points needed to win the series outright.

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July 20, Ford Gorge Games, Hood River, Oregon

Team EarthLink traveled to the Columbia River Gorge for the Ford Gorge Games adventure race, which was also the second stop for the Balance Bar 24-hour Adventure Series. The prestige of the event and the $80,000 adventure racing purse attracted world class athletes and drew the largest field in adventure racing history with 100 teams competing.

The race kicked off at approximately 5:30 a.m. at the base of Mt. Hood. Team EarthLink bolted from the starting line as everyone embarked on the initial uphill hike/run that would require the use of crampons and ice axes to get around Mt. Hood’s glacier. Teams looped back down to the starting line that also served as Transition Area 1 (TA1), where they switched gear for the first mountain bike leg. EarthLink, one of the first 10 teams all racing within minutes of each other, left the TA and began a 15-mile ride that included 2,000 ft. of elevation gain.

After the brutal climbs, teams dropped their bikes at TA2, which led them to a difficult ropes section requiring all competitors to pull themselves across a tyrolleon traverse, one at a time, approximately to 300 ft. off the ground.

From the ropes, teams began another running/hiking section through 20 miles of difficult cross-country navigation and bushwhacking.

Still holding to 4th place, EarthLink hit the last mountain bike leg hoping to catch teams by navigation or sheer horse power but were unable to pass the top three. After 2 and a half hours winding through the mountains south of Hood River, they traded the bikes for kayaks at the Gorge Games Athlete Village.

The final leg of the race – a demanding kayaking section against wind and current – was the final chance for EarthLink to catch the leaders. Jason launched a giant kite, and they quickly pulled close to 3rd place, but an unfortunate spill caused the kite to come back down to the water. After recovering, Team EarthLink paddled strong to the finish line completing the course in 14 hours and 56 minutes – one hour behind 1st and only 15 minutes after 3rd –earning an impressive 4th place finish among the world’s best adventure racers.

You can watch the Gorge Games adventure race unfold on NBC, Sept. 8 from 3-4 p.m. EDT (check local listings), and on the Outdoor Life Network throughout October (check local listings).