SealSkinz Waterproof Socks Protecting Eco-Challenge Sabah 2000 Teams in Borneo Jungles; Rugged SealSkinz Gear Choice of Many Top Adventure Teams This Year.

Business Editors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 18, 2000

On Sunday, August 20, over 70 teams from around the world will converge on the dense jungles of Borneo in Malaysia and set off on an adventure race covering over 500 kilometers of punishing terrain pitting them against fast rivers, stifling heat, pounding rain, crushing caverns and daunting mountains.

For many of those teams, the difference between finishing and dropping out from painful foot injuries will be SealSkinz(R) Waterproof Socks. In this year's edition of the Eco-Challenge, arguably the world's premier adventure race, SealSkinz(R) Waterproof Socks and Gloves were selected by a number of teams for their durability, comfort, breathability, high performance and secure waterproof seals.

Specifically, teams opted for SealSkinz new line of WaterBlocker Socks, which feature a revolutionary in-cuff seal ensuring a tight, waterproof fit keeping everything out from the water and grit of the race to more interesting would-be hitchhikers such as the prolific number of leeches in the Borneo jungles.

The starting point of this year's race is Sabah on the island of Borneo in Malaysia where four-person teams made up of both men and women will travel through Borneo's ancient headhunter trails, remote rivers and tropical seas. The race takes approximately 7-12 days and race disciplines include jungle trekking, sailing in outrigger canoes, jungle river paddling, scuba diving, mountain biking and caving.

"The four keys to winning any extreme sport are a strong mental attitude, working as a team rather than as an individual, keeping hydrated and having a great footcare regime," said Cathy Sassin, member of the top American team in last year's Eco-Challenge and one of the world's premier adventure athletes. "After every race my team and I were generally the only ones without bloody, blistered feet and everyone wanted to know our secret. The secret was to wear SealSkinz(R) Waterproof Socks. The word's out, now everyone knows they can't afford not to wear them for this race, which explains why so many teams choose SealSkinz."

The teams sporting SealSkinz state-of-the-art waterproof socks include Team oobe, featuring Rebecca Rusch whose team was recently profiled in a NBC "Dateline" segment on the recent Raid Gauloises Trans-Himalaya 2000 race in which they placed seventh overall, the highest finish for an all-American team in the historic race.

Other teams wearing SealSkinz include: Team Outrageous Adventure, Team Sea Magazine (aka Team Dacor), Team Friction Free, Team Hong Kong and Team Goonies.

Also, the camera crew of the popular CBS television newsmagazine program "48 Hours" is also relying on SealSkinz to keep them comfortable during the shooting of a documentary focusing on the incredible physical and mental challenges faced by these teams.

"As adventure racing has exploded in popularity and given birth to all sorts of other extreme sports, it's become increasingly clear to us athletes that nothing compares to the performance, comfort and protection you get out of SealSkinz. It is truly the best tool in any foot care regime," Sassin added.

Perfect for rafting, hunting, hiking, fishing, skiing, snowboarding, boating or just about any activity where hands and feet need to stay dry, SealSkinz(R) waterproof products first entered the outdoor market in 1993 with the release of the original SealSkinz(R) Waterproof Sock. SealSkinz(R) waterproof socks and gloves remain one of the sporting industry's best sellers worldwide and are currently allocated as standard issue for the British Armed Forces and have found service with U.S. Armed Forces serving in Bosnia.

Founded in 1970 in Duarte, Calif., Danalco designs and manufactures high-performance waterproof clothing for the recreational, outdoor, military and athletic markets. To order new WaterBlocker Socks or other innovative waterproof products, call 800/868-2629, by fax [phone] or go to the Web site www.danalco.com.