The Word On The Winners

18.10.2002

Here’s the press release about the winners from Eco-Challenge in Fiji - a fantastic performance by the Kiwi’s who paced themselves brilliantly for a long race.

Denarau Island, Fiji (Oct. 18, 2002) - Team Seagate.com NZ, of New Zealand, won the ninth Eco-Challenge Friday at 8 a.m., finishing the gruelling 500 km Fijian course in 6 days and 23 hours. They paddled to the finish line hours ahead of Teams GoLite from the United States and Air Pacific of Australia who are still currently fighting for second place.

With a crowd of staff, media, volunteers, family and fans cheering on the Kiwis, they paddled two kayaks in unison toward the finish on the sand in front of the Sheraton Royal Hotel. Eco-Challenge Creator Mark Burnett greeted the exhausted but smiling team with congratulations, traditional Fijian Sulu wraps, and a bottle of champagne.

\"I congratulate the Kiwis on an outstanding race and a tremendous comeback from adversities faced in this true expedition,\" Burnett said. \"Half-way through the race, no one, including myself and the Kiwis, thought they could finish even in the top three. But just as in life, when people keep pushing, keep moving, and work together, they are able to achieve great things. There\'s a moral in this victory that could apply to all of us.\"

He championed the team\'s resilience along the course despite both Kristina Penny-Strode\'s perseverance after taking ill for 12 full hours during the race and Team Buff AXN\'s day six lead of almost 24 hours.

The win was sweet redemption for the Kiwis, who suffered a heart-breaking meltdown less than 24 hours from the finish line in last year\'s Eco-Challenge on their home soil. That strategy of racing without any sleep served as their ultimate demise after sleep depravation and total exhaustion forced them to rest as the winning Eco-Internet - the team racing under the GoLite moniker this year - passed them by en route to their second consecutive title. A mere 14 minutes split the two teams\' final times.

At one point during this year\'s race, Seagate.com NZ ranked ninth on the leaderboard before charging through the final leg of the race with little sleep. They continued at a steady pace - only sleeping for 30 minutes of the final 40 hours. Aware that the water-savvy Australians had reached the final Checkpoint, Seagate.com NZ charged ahead.

In addition to strategic sleep breaks, co-captain Nathan Fa\'avae cited smooth transitions and her man with a hug and kiss. In response to \"what\'s for breakfast,\" the team shouted \"everything!\"

It\'s been a triumphant week for Mark Burnett in general - he was just named Number 38 on Entertainment Weekly\'s \"100 Most Powerful People in Hollywood\" list, his hit show \"Survivor\" continues to flourish at the top of the viewership charts, and Eco-Challenge\'s new expedition format has now proven successful with today\'s strong Kiwi finish which also happens to be the 20th anniversary of the day Burnett emigrated to America with $600 in his pocket.

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