Welcome to your team’s very own Primal Quest Website!

Add content, share, & enjoy! Please feel free to delete this post and start adding your own content and photos right away.

If you are new to blogging, you should find the following information to be very helpful:

• Administering Your Blog: http://codex.wordpress.org/Administering_Your_Blog
• Writing Posts: http://codex.wordpress.org/Writing_Posts
• Using Image and File Attachments: http://codex.wordpress.org/Using_Image_and_File_Attachments
• Using Pages: http://codex.wordpress.org/Pages

We look forward to learning much more about your team through the content that you add here. If you have any questions, or need any assistance you may email us at support@ecoprimalquest.com.

Sincerely,

~The Primal Quest Team
http://www.ecoprimalquest.com

Merrell
What began in the Green Mountains of Vermont in 1981, now roams, hikes, splashes, jumps, races and plays all over the world. Merrell has redefined what “outdoor” means, combining modern design, legendary comfort, and proven performance to create footwear and apparel that are at home on the trail or out on the town.

Merrell invites everyone outside by making it easier to get there.

www.merrell.com

Wigwam
Wigwam, based in Sheboygan, WI, is an authentic American brand that designs, manufactures and markets socks that America grew up with.

Visit www.wigwam.com for more information.

Zanfel Laboratories, Inc.
Zanfel Laboratories, Inc., is dedicated to producing high-quality dermatological consumer products. The premier product developed by this laboratory is Zanfel™. Zanfel™ Poison Ivy-Oak Wash is the only product clinically shown to remove poison ivy, oak and sumac (urushiol) from the skin after breakout and relieve itching within seconds of washing. Zanfel is sold in first aid sections of pharmacies nationwide and is available online through our website www.zanfel.com.

Zanfel’s sponsorship of this team is in effort to support the hundreds of thousands of outdoor enthusiasts who come into contact with poison ivy, oak or sumac each year through their outdoor activities. Poison Ivy, Oak or Sumac reactions afflict some 55 million people yearly in the U.S. Our goal is to help you identify these plants so you can avoid them and educate you on actions to take if you’ve been exposed to them. Visit our website www.zanfel.com to learn about the plants, find answers to your frequently asked questions about poison ivy-oak-sumac, and learn about how Zanfel can help relieve the biggest itch you may ever encounter.

Klear Water
KlearWater water treatment is a safe, fast acting, and powerful water treatment containing active Chlorine Dioxide.

The KlearWater formula is the only pre-measured, pre-mixed, active, Chlorine Dioxide water treatment available in the world today. www.klearwater.com

Powerbar
The leader in sports nutrition since 1986 provides you with the energy to be great, no matter what the challenge. www.powerbar.com

Montbell
MontBell is the brainchild of Isamu Tatsuno , who is the founder and CEO of the largest outdoor clothing and equipment manufacturer and retailer in Japan and Asia. Tatsuno has been an avid outdoor enthusiast, skiing, paddling, and climbing mountains all around the world for most of his life. www.montbell.us

Zoot Sports
Since 1983, Zoot Sports began making performance apparel that catered to elite athletes competing in the emerging sport of Triathlon. With over two decades of
multisport apparel design and manufacturing, Zoot Sports has established
itself as the premier apparel brand in the endurance multisport market.
www.zootsports.com

Ellsworth Mountain Bikes
Only the finest materials, 5-axis CNC machining, aerospace CAD/CAM development and manufacturing standards are employed in bringing each model to life. Ellsworth finishes frames in our tough-as-nails shot-peened and anodized surface with laser-etched graphics; it costs more, but our frames will last a lifetime, and so will the finish-why bother with anything else?
www.ellsworthbikes.com

Headsweats
Headsweats Perspiration Technology Headwear ® was founded in the fall of 1999 by shoe industry veteran and obsessed cyclist, Alan Romick. Frustrated by the perils of heavy sweat blindness, migrating sunscreen, and odd sunburn pattern on his head through his helmet, he set out to develop headgear that worked. Encouraged by the constant feedback within the local cycling community, he took the best attributes of what was available and improved on them. Starting with one product — The Classic — available at first in just four colors, Alan’s products quietly became elite athlete’s secret weapon around the world, eventually expanding to over 17 different products available in over 140 different colors and styles.

Headsweats
www.headsweats.com

AlpineAire Foods
As a pioneer in the food marketplace for over 21 years, we have a reputation for excellence surpassed only by our distinction for outstanding taste.

We produce freeze-dried, dehydrated and ready-to-eat instant meals, side dishes, breakfasts, soups and desserts. Our products can be used every day but also for backpacking, hiking, hunting, fishing, and long-term food storage. We offer selected items for those who are gluten-intolerant. We have also recently introduced a new line of low-carbohydrate soups. www.tyry.com

Light and Motion
Light and Motion is a vertically integrated manufacturer of HID bike lights, underwater camera housings, underwater video camera housings and photographic equipment. All of our products are born right here in our historic Monterey Cannery; designed, tested, manufactured, sold and serviced by hard core users who appreciate your needs because they are our needs.
www.lightandmotion.com

Mysterioso

Mysterioso is the Original SPF 25 water and board wear apparel company offering its customers genuine scientifically tested and validated sun protection on its own 5.5 oz Multi-strechth Poly-Lycra material.
www.mysterioso.com

Kahtoola
Kahtoola’s goal is to get you directly where you want to go by making innovative products for your outdoor adventures. We also contribute a portion of our profits directly to nonprofit organizations that support the Tibetan people and the preservation of their culture. For sure-footing on ice and snow, Kahtoola Inc’s innovative, flexible traction system is designed to be used with any common footwear from trail running shoes or hiking boots to snow boots. Kahtoola’s 10-point gripping system is made from the strongest aluminum alloy and weighs only 19 ounces (540 g) per pair, making it the lightest 10-point system available. Straps and quick-release buckles make it easy to put the Kahtoola Traction System on any shoe.

Kahtoola expanded on the best crampon and snowshoe traction technology available, creating an extremely secure and comfortable product for outdoor enthusiasts, outdoor professionals, and anyone who wants a better grip on icy conditions. Ideal for winter walking, hiking, trail running, adventure racing, non-technical mountaineering, or even shoveling show! www.kahtoola.com

Mandatorygear.com
We’re constantly looking for new products and designing new gear. We stock gear for adventure racing and lightweight backpacking.
www.mandatorygear.com

Princeton Tec
Since 1975, Princeton Tec has developed products for the outdoor sports enthusiast. Princeton Tec’s 30 year journey has pushed the limits of self-discovery and provides light for those who have explored all ends of the Earth. This spirit of adventure and history of meeting challenges continues to drive the growth and development of Princeton Tec and its products.
www.princetontec.com

Buff
Buff® is the original brand of an innovative family of multifunctional headwear that offers technical performance, protection from the elements and a stylish appearance for a wide range of outdoor activities. The beauty of Buff® Headwear is simplicity – one garment serves many functions. Among its many uses, Buff® serves as a beanie, headband, neck gaiter, balaclava, pirate-style cap, hairband, helmet liner, scarf, sun, wind or dust screen, bandana or wristband.

Visit www.buff.es for more information.

Face Level Riverboarding
The mission of FaceLevel.com is to educate, equip, and entertain the general public interested in the extreme whitewater sport of Riverboarding. FaceLevel.com strives to be the most complete & comprehensive source in the world for information regarding riverboarding instruction, river board & gear innovations, and community events such as boardercross.
www.FaceLevel.com

Rudy Project
Rudy Project was founded in Treviso in 1985, immediately gaining a prominent position and establishing itself as one of the leading companies in Europe in the sporting and optical sector.
The basis for this success lies in its intensive distribution network, its continued investment in targeted communication strategies and especially in its mission to concentrate on excellent product quality and on a constant search for new materials and technologies to apply to lenses and frames.

Rudy Project
www.rudyproject.com

Pacific Outdoors, Inc.
Greg Letts
greg@pacoutdoors.com
phone (925) 552-6526 fax (925) 820-8262
www.pacoutdoors.com

Project Athena
The mission of Project Athena is to help women with breast cancer and other medical or traumatic setbacks live their athletic and adventurous dreams through the Project Athena Foundation.

Project Athena
www.projectathena.org

Epic Kayaks
After enjoying the benefits of lightweight, well designed racing equipment, it was a shock to us the first time we padled with heavy, unrefined touring kayaks and paddles. We thought, “Why can’t modern technology be used to build better touring equipment?” We’ve paddled the equivalent of 6 times around the world with 70 years combined experience in all water conditions. Our passion for paddling and knowledge of high performance racing technology is contained in every Epic desinged kayak and paddle. Our models are optimized for ease of handling, efficiency in the water and to be extremely lightweight. Whether you’re a beginning recreational paddler or a highly competitive racer, our equipment will improve your paddling experience.

Epic Kayaks
www.epickayaks.com

Acid Zapper
Acid Zapper is specifically designed to help competitive athletes. Users who experience the most dramatic results and benefits are those who test themselves at their anaerobic threshold. Acid Zapper helps competitive athletes sustain healthy pH balance and prevents hydrogen ion buildup by neutralizing acidic wastes. As a result, many athletes and coaches are also discovering that Acid Zapper is helping them push beyond their previous limits and achieve performance breakthroughs and new personal bests.

Acid Zapper
www.acidzapper.com

Occupation: Race Director

John is one of the most experienced and accomplished adventure racers in the world, having been involved in the sport since its inception. John was awarded the Keys to the City of Melbourne in 1987 after being crowned World Marathon Kayak Champion for the 3rd year in a row.

John has completed 30 major international adventure races in 16 countries. Since then, John has developed a reputation as a designer of very challenging but interesting courses: both MTB & adventure racing.

Recent Sporting highlights:

• 4 times World Marathon Kayaking Champion 1985, 86, 87 & 88
• 3 times World Multisport Champion (New Zealand Coast to Coast) 1988, 89 & 93
• 6 times Australian Kayaking Champion 10k to 42k between 1985 & 1993
• 5 times Winner JLL/JLW Challenge Mt. Buller to Melbourne 1994, 95, 96, 98 & 2001 (undefeated & race record holder)
• 2 times Winner JLL/JLW Challenge Katoomba to Sydney 1999 & 2000
• 5 times Winner Mars Challenge Ballarat to Barwon Heads 2001, 02, 03, 04 & 05 (undefeated & race record holder)
• 2 times Winner Tasmania 3 Peaks Race (Ocean Sailing & mountain running) ‘94 & ‘95
• 2 times Australian Rogaining Champion 1998 and 2001
• 1st place Eco Challenge, Maine, USA 1995
• 1st place Raid Gauloises - Krygyzstan 2003
• 1st place Mild Seven Outdoor Quest (4 day multisport race) Lijiang, China 2001
• 1st place Expedition British Virgin Islands Adventure Race 2001
• 1st place Extreme Adventure Hidalgo - Mexico 2005
• 1st place Elf Authentique Adventure race Brazil 2000
• 1st place Western Isles Challenge, Scotland 1999
• 1st place Thredbo Enduro 1993
• 1st place Cradle to Coast multisport race (Tasmania) 1994
• 1st place Australian Winter Classic Multisport race Omeo, Australia 2001
• 1st place Australian Rogaining Championships W.A. 2001

Recently dubbed an “adventure racing prodigy” by Adventure Sports Magazine, Travis has rushed from a successful history of running, triathlon, and snowshoe racing (he ran varsity cross country and track for the national champion CU Buffaloes, placed in the top ten at the USATF Collegiate National Championship Triathlon, and won the Colorado Snowshoeing State Championship) into a full-time career as a professional adventure racer. Son of Eco-Challenge legend Mark Macy, Travis has taken the adventure racing world by storm with top finishes at Mexico’s Nuevo Leon Outdoor Challenge, the Teva Mountain Games, the Nike-Beaver Creek 6-hr Adventure Race (all with teammates Danelle Ballengee and Dave Mackey), the Explore Sweden expedition adventure race, and a win at the Adventure Xstream Expedition Race. The charismatic and dynamic youth recently graduated from the University of Colorado with a 3.9 GPA, and has already drawn attention from The New York Times and Adventure Sports Magazine (cover, June 2005). Travis leads America’s next generation of adventure racers with a unique combination of the experience required for success on top professional team coupled with the hot, young image that is so attractive to media and consumers. Travis is a professional freelance writer, and his articles can be found at Sleepmonsters.com and in various adventure publications.

Race Results:

• 2nd, KEEN Adventure Race Great Ocean Road (Coed Division 2007), Australia
• 3rd, Mangataupo Mountain Bike Challenge 2007, New Zealand
• 8th, Adventure Racing World Championship 2007, Scotland
• 17th, Speight’s Coast to Coast Multisport World Championship 2007, New Zealand
• 1st, Raid X-Adventure 2006, Australia
• 1st, Adventure Xstream Moab 2006, Utah
• 1st, Leadville 20-Mile Snowshoe Race 2006, Colorado
• 2nd, Camdex Adventure Race 2006, Mexico
• 5th, Raid World Championship 2006, Canada
• 7th, Adventure Racing World Championship 2006, Sweden
• 1st, Adventure Xstream Breckenridge 2005, Colorado
• 1st, Snowshoe Racing State Championships 2005, Colorado
• 2nd, Desafio de los Volcanoes 2005, Chile/Argentina
• 3rd, Beaver Creek Professional Adventure Race 2005, Colorado
• 4th, Teva Mountain Games Adventure Race 2005, Colorado

Age: 27
Occupation: Civil Engineer

Aaron is the prince of adventure racing’s royalty. His father won the very first Raid Gauloises and the first Coast to Coast, the original adventure race in New Zealand. Aaron’s mother Viv was on the winning team in the 1996 Eco-Challenge in British Columbia and had top finishes in every major race in the world.

As for Aaron, he started doing full-length adventure races at the tender age of 17 and is the youngest finisher and the youngest winner of the prestigious Southern Traverse Adventure Race. He is also a member of the New Zealand Orienteering Squad and navigation is the major contribution he makes to the team.

Race Results:

• 1st New Zealand Rogaine Championships 2006
• 3rd Raid World Championships, Canada 2006
• 2nd Teva Games, USA 2006
• 4th Adventure racing World Championships 2006, Sweden/Norway
• 1st Cyclic Saga 2005
• 1st New Zealand Rogaine Championship 2005
• 3rd Adventure Racing World Championship 2005, NZ
• 1st Arrow Adventure Race 2005, NZ
• 2nd Adventure Racing World Series 2004, NZ
• 6th Primal Quest 2004, USA
• 5th Primal Quest 2003, USA
• New Zealand Team for World Orienteering Championship 2002, Finland
• 1st Southern Traverse 1999

Robyn Benincasa was born in Long Island, NY, but spent most of her youth in Tempe, AZ, where she competed at the state and national level in gymnastics, diving, and cross country. After graduating from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Marketing, Benincasa accepted a pharmaceutical sales job in the San Diego Territory and earned honors as “Rookie of the Year” in 1990.

Benincasa was shortly thereafter caught by the triathlon bug , and ultimately went on to complete nine Ironman races, with two podium finishes in her age group in Kona, Hawaii. By 1995, however, she was really really tired of triathlon AND wearing panty hose to work, so she embarked on a mission to live her dreams of becoming an adventure racer and firefighter.

In the past 13 years, she has completed over 36 “expedition length” Adventure Races(7-10 day non stop multisport events), and has earned World Champion honors in both the EcoChallenge and the Raid Gauloises. In 2004 Robyn organized some of the best racers on earth to form Team Merrell/Wigwam, ranked among the top three teams in the world.

Ever in search of a way to spread the luuuuuuv, Robyn launched a corporate teambuilding company in 2000, called World Class Teams, which brings the teamwork lessons of Adventure Racing to the corporate world. In the past 7 years, her “Extreme Teams” keynotes have been embraced by Starbucks, Boeing, Amgen, Tony Robbins, Coldwell Banker, Schering Plough, Earthlink, Nestle, The Four Seasons Resorts, Honda, and the US Cycling team, just to name a few.

When she is not out playing all over the world with her teammates or creating World Class Teams for Fortune 500 companies, Robyn is at her “real” job as a full time Firefighter for the City of San Diego. In 2006, she became a member of the only all-female fire crew in the US, Engine 22 in Point Loma. In January 2006 they were featured in the New York Times and on Good Morning America, and the media whirlwind hasn’t stopped since!

Race Results:

• 3rd, Primal Quest, Utah 2006
• 2nd, EcoMotion Brazil, Rio 2006
• 3rd, Ironman Arizona, Age Group 2006
• 10th Ironman Triathlon Finish, Kona, 2006
• 1st, Bull of Africa Expedition Race, South Africa, July 2005
• 1st, Patagonia Expedition Race 2004
• 1st place Cal Eco Adventure Series ~ 2003
• 2nd Place Balance Bar 24 Hour Series ~ 2003
• 3rd place, Wild Onion Urban Adventure Race, NYC ~ 2003
• 1st Place, Balance Bar Series, Los Angeles, CA ~2002
• 1st Place, Cal Eco-Series, California ~2002
• 5th Place, Eco-Challenge, Fiji ~2002
• 4th Place, NBC Gorge Games, Oregon ~2002
• 4th Place, Eco-Challenge, New Zealand ~2001
• 1st place, Raid the North Extreme, Canada ~2001
• 2nd place, Gorge Games Outdoor World Championship ~2001
• 3rd place, Discovery Channel Adventure Race World Championship ~2001
• 3rd place, Southern Traverse, New Zealand ~2000
• 1st place, Eco-Challenge, Borneo ~2000