E
CO-CHALLENGE 2002,
FIJI,
OCTOBER 11-21
Destination-Fiji!
In October 2002, the 9th Eco-Challenge will be held among the 333 islands that make up the Fiji archipelago. The “Crossroads of the Pacific,” Fiji is a land of abiding beauty and imminent adventure.
From impenetrable jungles to jagged limestone cliffs to stunning turquoise lagoons, Fiji is both a paradise and a fascinating study in contrasts. Azure blue waters crash against white sand beaches. The descendants of cannibals and fierce warlords are now gracious hosts. Brilliant vegetation flourishes in the shadow of black volcanic rock. An entire ecosystem can thrive in a tiny piece of coral.
And everywhere the mix of old and new, fact and fable, reef and rainforest, sky and sea casts a spell upon the islands. Fiji is truly an adventurer’s paradise.
Competitors will navigate and trek over mountain ranges and highlands, bushwhacking through intense jungles to remote villages. In Fiji it is customary to drink Yaqona in a sevusuvu (kava ceremony) when visiting old friends or meeting new ones. Those who travel to remote villages will find the warm Fijian hospitality of the turanga-ni-koro (village chief) both a relief from the journey and the source of valuable race information.
Teams will mountain bike deep into the heart of the jungle to gorgeous waterfalls, paddle scenic rivers and negotiate narrow gorges. Some areas may prove impassable forcing teams to make a crucial decision: choose the seemingly best route, or craft from available materials, a means of continuing to their destination.
As problem-solving becomes a key element during the Fiji race, world class athletes may need to recognize that power, physical strength and experience might not be what they need to win.
A course that favors the quick-witted, resourceful and intelligent problem solver, Eco-Challenge Fiji will test not only the physical limits of the best teams in the world but offer an expedition into the heart of the unexplored and unknown.
Fiji's diverse terrain varies across its island interiors, from sand dunes to waterfalls to rainforests. The pristine waters offer a chance for outstanding whitewater rafting, scuba diving, windsurfing, ocean kayaking, snorkeling and surfing.
Fiji has over 3000 identified species of plants, with one third of these being endemic. Fijians use much of the native flora for food, medicine, implements and building materials. The country's richest diversity of fauna lies under water, especially inside its reefs and protected lagoons. There are hundreds of species of hard coral, soft coral, sea fan and sea sponge, and these are often intensely colourful and fantastically shaped. There is a seemingly infinite variety of fish with exquisite colours, and of different sizes and shapes.
Fiji has an interesting blend of various cultures, namely Melanesian, Polynesian, Indian, European and Chinese. This mix is reflected in Fijian food, language and architecture.
Traditionally, Fijian society is based on communal principles and is led by a hereditary chief. The villagers come together to work on projects varying from gardening, fishing, house building, and village clean up projects, to the making gifts for presentation and the preparation of food for feasts. Today, village life is still the foundation of Fijian society. Although some individuals may move out of the village to establish their career in an urban setting, village ties and family obligations are still very strong.
Fiji preserves an amazing variety of traditional customs and crafts such as kava or yaqona drinking, the presentation of the whale 's tooth, firewalking, fish driving, turtle calling, tapa beating, and pottery making. Alongside this fascinating human history is a dramatic diversity of landforms and seascapes, all concentrated in a relatively small area. Fiji's sun-drenched beaches, blue lagoons, panoramic open hillsides, lush rainforests, and dazzling reefs are truly magnificent.
October 8: Competitors arrive Nadi, Fiji
9: Competitors arrive in Nadi, Fiji/ Team Registration & Ability Testing/ Opening Ceremonies
10: Team Registration & Ability Testing/ Travel to Start Line
11: Race Start
21: Race Cut Off/ Prize Giving and Awards Ceremony/ Closing Party
22: Competitors Depart Nadi, Fiji
