the returning Team S.C.A.R., Northern Irish Team Dalriada, and the Japanese Team East Wind, which was notable for physically carrying one of their team members over Mount Bartle Frere after an ankle injury. 1998 Morocco: The race began along the coast of Essaouira, through the high Atlas Mountains, and ended in Marrakesh. Team Vail (USA, Captain Billy Mattison) won. This is the first time an American team wins Eco Challenge. Team Aussie (Australia) came in 2nd and Team Cepos (Spain), who dominated the race until one of their members suffered altitude sickness, came in 3rd. Featured teams include Team Rubicon, a team composed of 3 female competitors, Team Navigator, a team trying to redeem themselves after requiring emergency evacuation close to the finish line the previous year, Team Mexico, a team of rude men who eventually learned to appreciate their talented female teammate, Team 2020, a cheerful Malaysian team who defied expectations, and Team Urban Edge, a rookie team of New Yorkers. 1999 Argentina was based from San Carlos de Bariloche in the Andes Mountains, starting in Patagonia Lakes region on Largo Nahuei Huapi. It included an ascent of Cerro Tronador and Team Greenpeace (NZL / Eco-Internet, Captain John Howard) was 1st. Spanish team Sierra Nevada was second and local team Condor was 3rd. Team Halti from Finland briefly took the lead but made a navigational error and fade to 5th behind 4th place Team Atlas Snowshoes Rubicon with three women (USA, Rebecca Rusch, Kathy Sassin, Robyn Benincasa, and Ian Adamson), who had held second place until the final mountain leg. 2000 Sabah, Borneo traversed the north east coast of Sabah, including the Gomantong Caves, old growth rain forests and coastal islands. Team Salomon Eco-Internet (USA captain Ian Adamson with Mike Kloser) was 1st, Spie Battignole (FRA) 2nd, Team Aussie 3rd 2001 New Zealand was based in the southern alps including Lake Wanaka and the Cook Glacier. No foreign team had won an adventure race on New Zealand soil (since the start of expedition racing in 1989) and Team Pure NZ was heavily favored to win. Team Nike (USA, was Eco-Internet, captain Ian Adamson with Mike Kloser), lacked the local knowledge of the favorites and played a tactical race to pass the Kiwis on the final night for the win. Team Pure NZ (Nathan Fa'avae, Cathy Lynch, Neil Jones, Jeff Mitchell) crossed the line for 2nd just 21 minutes later.