Meet Team Algoma's Water Tower Inn

Team Algoma's Water Tower Inn is one of 37 teams participating in the 2003 Eco-Challenge North American Championship, which starts today.

The endurance contest runs 24 hours a day for up to seven days, pitting co-ed teams against each other in conquering a 450-kilometre wilderness course.

They'll travel by running, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking and rappelling.

For more information about the competition and how to be a spectator, please click here.

To learn about the other local team in this competition, please click here.

The following is the official team biography for Team Sault Ste. Marie:

**************************************************************** Trisha Westman

Age: 28 Sault Ste. Marie native Environmental Engineer

Trish began her athletic career mountain bike and ski racing internationally.

She has been focusing on adventure racing for four years.

While racing around the world, she has proven to be one of the best female racers in Canada.

Adeventure race highlights:

· 2003 Adv. Racing World Series Race #1, Maine 2nd · 2003 Extreme Adventure Hidalgo, Mexico 7th · 2002 Adv. Racing World Series Race #3, Maine 1st · 2002 Raid the North Series Championships, Ontario 2nd · 2001 Eco-Challenge, New Zealand 10th · 2001 Adventure Racing Canada Championships 1st

John Shoust

Age: 27 Sault Ste. Marie native Technical Sales/Engineer

John has been a competitive runner for over 15 years and a duathlete for the past five years.

In 2001 he started adventure racing and enjoyed immediate success competing across North America.

· 2002 Raid the North Extreme, Yukon Territory 2nd · 2002 Raid the North Series Championships, Ontario 5th · 2002 Adventure Racing Canada, Ontario 3rd · 2001 USARA National Championships 2nd · 2001 SKARE, Northern Michigan 1st

Dave Norona

Age: 32 Professional Athlete

In the past 13 years, Dave has cycled, run, kayaked, in-line skated, and cross-country skied throughout Greenland, Alaska, China, Africa, Europe, New Zealand and North and South America.

This gifted athlete’s career has been marked by looking beyond the normal scale of human endeavor and traditional forms of competition.

· 2002 Adrenalin Rush, Ireland 2nd · 2002 Sea to Summit Series 1st · 2002 Eco-West Adventure 2nd · Participant in EcoChallenge Fiji, New Zealand and Morroco · 2000 Mild Seven Outdoor Quest, China 11th · 2000 Iditasport Impossible 1800km Ski Race, Alaska 1st

Bob Miller

Age: 28 Sales Consultant

Bob has been competitive in marathons, triathlons and mountain bike events, having started adventure racing in 1999.

From his first race Bob has achieved consistent top results highlighting his strong navigation skills.

· 2002 Eco-Challenge Canadian Championships, B.C. 3rd · 2002 Adventure Racing Canada Series Championships 1st · 2001 Raid the North Series Championships, Ontario 4th · 2001 Raid the North, Ontario 2nd · 2001 Adventure Racing Canada Series Championships 2nd

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