The Star Spangled Banner, sung by 17-year-old Amanda Kozloski, rocked the still night air as teams, who now were comprised of "the Seeker," "the Waiter" and "the One Who is Lost," readied for the start. In true Hi-Tec fashion, this was a new twist in the making. Pre-race instructions directed teams to assign these labels to each member. The Lost teammate would be taken to a pre-disclosed location, the Seeker would be sent out to find the lost teammate, and the Waiter would wait at the start for the Seeker and the Lost to return.

The "Circle of Love," an infamous Hi-Tec special test, also returned. The Seeker had to carry a six-inch in diameter ring of rubber and find his Lost teammate. Both would link onto the Circle and carry it back to the Waiter who would then link on. The three-person teams would then run the 5.5-mile trail run bound together by "love." At no time was anyone allowed to let go of the Circle until instructed.

In hopes of making the race more even between teams, race organizers also added another element to the race. Because the Elite/Pro teams usually are able to dash from the start at breakneck speeds, trying to distance themselves from the remainder of the pack, they travel unimpeded and gain more time in order to play out their respective strategies. But, in this race, while the Seeker was trying to find the Lost, organizers numbered the teams: 1-80, 81-160, 161-240, and 241-330, and the Waiting teammate was brought to a location with the distance being based on the team number. The lower the number, the farther out the Waiter was brought. and placed the Waiting teammmate

This gave a distinct advantage to the middle- and back-of-the-packers. It is the non-elite teams that make the race interesting, the ones the race is targeted towards and the ones that make the series a success. Much to their dismay, upon returning to pick up their Waiting teammate, elite teams realized they were, at best, in 30th position.

Approximately four miles into the trail run, teams were thrown another curve ball. Orienteering maps were doled out to the teams which were then required to find all three points marked on their maps and then head back to the transition area. Team Balance Bar emerged from the run and orienteer in 1st place, followed closely by Team Red Bull and Team dsports.com.

Teams then took to the woods, on the first of two five-mile, mountain bike loops. Earlier thunderstorms had settled the dust, but muddied the course. At one portion of the bike, racers were instructed to "Hike-a-Bike," where they had to travel over land, not allowing their bikes to touch the ground. Some shuffling of the top spots was seen, as racers with mountain biking backgrounds began to close the gap.

Entering the kayak, Team Balance Bar miraculously managed to extend its lead. Team Red Bull was still nipping at its heels with Team Exide Batteries and Team BMC Software narrowing the gap. The two-mile, two-loop kayak portion was raced in total darkness. Buoys depicting the course were unlit and racers navigated the circumference of the lake by moonlight and headlamp. Teams exited the water and took to mountain bikes for a second loop, with little change in the top standings.

After racers dumped their bikes, the true fun began. Teams were faced with two remaining special tests: a cargo-net sandbag carry and the famed "Slippery Mountain." Team Balance Bar, showing true form and teamwork, breezed through these final tests to post its fourth win of the series, in a time of 2:32:50.

Team Red Bull and Team Exide Batteries emerged tied for 2nd with only the Slippery Mountain awaiting. The 10-foot long, 40-foot wide wall of formica, sloped at a 45-degree angle and lathered with 200 pounds of Crisco and Wesson Oil would separate these teams.

Hoping to overcoming the disappointing loss in Sacramento, Team Exide Batteries battled with Team FogDog for the final podium spot. Capitalizing when Team Red Bull lost its grip and slid down Slippery Mountain, Team Exide Batteries summitted "cleanly" — if you can call being slathered in Crisco and oil clean — and claimed 2nd place. Team BMC Software, after missing most of the season due to teammate Julie Dauphine pregnancy, returned with a new female and posted a 4th-place finish. Team dsports.com continued to stand atop the podium with an impressive 5th-place finish.

The all-male division saw Team Shugendo emerge victorious, while Team Activate.com.uk continued its string of 2nd-place finishes and Team 4Jeanne taking 3rd.

Continuing to sit highest on the podium, all-female team, Team Heineken crossed the line victorious. Team Title IX took 2nd, with Team Out of Control rounding out the top-three, all-female teams.

The corporate division saw Team Prolab Nutrition top-out the field with Team City of Bethlehem Police Department and Team Mud, Sweat, and Gears taking 2nd and 3rd, respectively.

Team Christine, once considered an elite team, changed team members and divisions. Walter Rochefort, wife Trish, and family friend Chris Chisholm, who race in honor of Christine Greif, a triathlete and mother tragically killed by a drunk driver while training, posted a very impressive victory in the masters division. Team Crash, Burn and Sink grabbed 2nd place with Team Wolf Pack taking 3rd.

Writer's Note: Title sponsor Hi-Tec Sports was without representation at this race. Team Hi-Tec members Karen Lundgren and David Kelly, after posting a 10th-place finish in the Eco-Challenge 2000 in Borneo, Malaysia, earlier in the month, were both hospitalized this week with a severe case of an unknown illness. This illness is accented by a 105-degree fever, diarrhea, vomiting and other woes and is striking many Eco-Challenge competitors. We wish Karen, David and our other fallen comrades full and speedy recoveries.

— Tiger Mann, Team Timex Adventure Racing, MountainZone.com Correspondent