After watching this 5-hour show over 4 days that recorded the expiditionary-style racing, I am very excited. I wish I was 20 to 25 years younger, as I would be in great shape to take part in it.
You know, I think that oine of the things that our society lacks are real physical challanges of this nature for young folk of both sexes. Instead of getting into crime gangs and other trouble, it would be a great thing to have these sorts of races throughout the USA. The problem stems from the fact that only so many people can compete in the Olympics, and nowadays, if you don't start your training by the age of three years old, you may never qualify to compete.
But this Eco-Challange thing: it's more than just a race, it's a test of courage, endurance, willpower, ingenuity, and teamwork. These are great skills to instill in any person, especially teens and young adults (although some in that race were near 50 years old!).
If we pushed this sort of thing as a national past-time and there were so many of them that everyone who wanted to could attend a local event, I'd think that we'd be a lot better off as a society. Don't you think so?
This was the site that was on-line while the race was being run...it's got day to day reporting on the race. You can check the standings and see how each and every team did (Team Sabaru Outback--who came in 9th place -just ahead of Team High Tech--had an awesome race--one of their team members had to be carried for 5 hours)....you can look up all the teams.
There is video snipets of things not shown on the TV show.
It was a hoot checking in on this site when the race was being run--I'm looking forward to New Zealand.
posted on April 5, 2001 04:38:59 AM new
Thanks for the tip, Zazzie! I'm looking forward to the New Zealand thing too. I'd like to see this event live instead of a year later. Maybe it'll catch on.
posted on April 5, 2001 12:34:58 PM new
I don't know about promoting peace, love and harmony.....I for one would *love* to wack Carlos (US team....don't recall the name off hand) when he started crying about his blisters while his teammate was puking his guts out.
Was it just me, or was this one of the worst coverages of the event?
posted on April 5, 2001 01:04:36 PM new
Hey Lotzfuzz---I know the reason why the coverage has changed.
In previous years Discovery Channel had the broadcast & production rights---but last year USA Network won the bid and the format changed on how the show was edited.
Discovery Channel still broadcasts it here in Canada but it looks like it is the same show that you see in the USA.
But we got some added bits---2 hours of complete focus on 3 Canadian teams and a 1/2 show called CODE RED --that was just about the Medical teams---so I'll still send you the tapes even though 5 hours are identical to what you saw.
I also put on an added bonus--there was an hour long comedy special on just before Eco started called
"Talking to Americans"---we have this show on Canadian Broadcasting called 'This Hour has 22 Minutes' which is a news program parody--and they have a small bit in there where one of the newcasters/comedians asks USA citizens questions about Canada---the responses are quite humourous---I hope you enjoy it.
Now all I need is your address---click on my name and email me.
posted on April 5, 2001 04:16:14 PM new
Zazzie: I just sent an email! I'd love to have a copy of what you have (this seals it, I *will* have a new VCR!!).
The comedy show sounds great. It doesn't take much for us Americans to make fools of ourselves!
