U.S. Eco-Challenger conquers Canadian currency

Vytenis Benetis (shown) of York, Pennsylvania's Team Gung Ho bravely faced down his first Canadian $10 bill after Saturday night's opening ceremonies for the 2003 Eco-Challenge North American Championship.

We caught up with the multi-talented eco-athlete outside the Roberta Bondar Tent Pavilion, as he was reading aloud to his teammates from the first verse of John McCrae's 1915 poem 'In Flanders Fields' printed on the colourful currency.

We're pleased to report that Benetis successfully negotiated the bill at the snack bar.

The official Gung Ho team biography promises that Benetis and one other male member will complete one leg of the race wearing only their race bibs.

This, they assert, will be "an incentive for the girls."

The document contains no indication of how the two lads propose to pin their bibs.

SooToday.com joins production team

Starting on Sunday, 37 four-person, co-ed teams from across North America will be racing non-stop, 24 hours a day for up to seven days.

Participants will cover a 450-kilometre wilderness course by mountain biking, running, canoeing, kayaking and rappelling.

As previously announced, SooToday.com will move its newsroom to Searchmont on Sunday as part of a unique partnership with the Eco-Challenge organization.

Under the agreement, SooToday's Dave Helwig will join the production crew all next week as senior writer for the Eco-Challenge website.

Go there now

Helwig's insider coverage and photos will also be featured here on SooToday.com, with special emphasis on the two local teams competing in this elite contest.

Want to watch the action?

Eco-Challenge organizers are keeping the course locations secret until the time of the race start, 9 a.m. on Sunday.

SooToday.com is advised that maps and timelines may be obtained after that time by visiting either Algoma’s Water Tower Inn or the Searchmont Resort.

Meet Team Sault Ste. Marie Meet Team Algoma's Water Tower Inn

The following is a backgrounder about the event as supplied by the Eco-Challenge organization, followed by a news release about FedNor funding:

**************************************************************** Eco-Challenge North American Championship

Building on the success of the 2002 Eco-Challenge Canadian Championship, Race Director, Steve Menzie has expanded the race to incorporate all of North America!

This year, the Eco-Challenge North American Championship will be the only public qualifying event for the Eco-Challenge World Championship.

An adventure race, unlike all others, the Eco-Challenge North American Championship (ECNAC) is a five-day world-class Expedition Race™ modeled after its ten-day predecessor.

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Canada is the host city for this year’s event.

Located on the north end of Lake Superior, the region is comprised of historic fur-trade routes through to the world’s largest game reserve, Chapleau Game Reserve.

The geographic diversity and historical significance of the area will test and amaze the Eco-Challenge North American Championship participants.

The diverse terrain of Sault Ste. Marie will offer competitors an extremely challenging racecourse, as they cover approximately 350km using only non-motorized forms of transport ("disciplines").

Co-ed teams of four will race non-stop, 24-hours a day for up to five days.

This race will combine several disciplines including: fixed ropes, mountain biking and canyoneering.

Competitors will also experience the Northern Ontario paddling mecca as they travel through both flat and white water.

The course, designed by 2002 course designer Rich Marshall, will include healthy portages that connect the myriad of lakes and rivers that range in size from small tributaries to the daunting Lake Superior.

With an intricate network of waterways and heavily forested areas, teams can expect a wide choice of routes characterized by very challenging navigation.

**************************************************************** FedNor invests in international tourism event SAULT STE. MARIE, Ontario - Sault Ste. Marie MP, Carmen Provenzano, and Algoma-Manitoulin MP, Brent St. Denis, are pleased to announce, on behalf of the Honourable Andy Mitchell, Secretary of State (Rural Development) (FedNor), FedNor funding of $100,000 to the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to market and promote the 2003 North American Eco-Challenge Championship, set for July 18 - 27 in Sault Ste. Marie and area.

"Promotion of this event will contribute to the development of the tourism sector in Sault Ste. Marie and across parts of Northern Ontario – a high priority of the Government of Canada," says Mr. Provenzano. "FedNor is dedicated to assisting communities in developing successful high-profile tourism attractions and events as economic development vehicles," adds Mr. St. Denis.

Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, a division of the Sault Ste. Marie EDC, has prepared an extensive marketing and promotional campaign to highlight the event, tourism amenities, and regional linkages for outdoor opportunities in the city and the Algoma region. Participants will compete over a 450-kilometre wilderness course by canoeing, kayaking, rappelling, mountain biking and running.

Approximately 45 four-person co-ed teams from Canada and the U.S. are expected to participate.

The race will be held in Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding area, including Searchmont Resort, (main base camp and race finish line), the Great Lakes Heritage Coast (location for canoeing and kayaking), and Roberta Bondar Pavilion (opening and closing ceremonies).

Teams are being transported into the wilderness by the Algoma Central Railway. "This project demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to the promotion and development of tourism-related events and infrastructure," says Mr. Mitchell.

"Investments in these areas pay off many times over by increasing the awareness of what Northern Ontario has to offer." FedNor funding will assist with television production and commercial development, business marketing kits, the hiring of a project coordinator, print advertising, Web site development, and other related promotional and marketing tools.

"We appreciate FedNor’s contribution to this initiative," says Bruce Strapp, President and CEO of the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation. "This is an excellent opportunity to promote this community and the pristine beauty of the region."

FedNor works in partnership with Northern Ontario businesses, economic development stakeholders and key tourism partners to ensure Northerners enjoy full access to the tools and services they require to be successful.

By supporting the 2003 North American Eco-Challenge Championship through its programs and services, FedNor is opening doors and building futures for a prosperous Northern Ontario. Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2003 federal budget.

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