2009 EPISODE 12 of 12: CANOE EVENT

In the final two events Soldiers will have to canoe down a river then complete the final Buddy Run.

SFC Hutchings: "This is a teamwork stress event, they're beat down, they've been through a whole lot and the past couple of days, and it's just salt in the wound at this point. It's very stressful on them, it's all upper-body for a good hour-and-a-half."

MSG Walter J. Zajkowski: "Keep the pressure on the leaders and see if we can get them to bobble. If they make a slip, there's a chance we could pull into the lead, but if they keep performing the way they have been they'll have it locked down. They're a good team, really good team."

SFC Chad E.W. Stackpole: "My body feels bad but mentally I'm good, the end is near. This is all mental."

SFC Chad E.W. Stackpole: "Major focuses going on-a difference in focuses. You've got teams that are literally here, they just want to make this next Buddy Run and finish it. And hopefully when it comes to the final points standing this evening, we're the ones holding the pistols."

CSM John Burns: "The biggest thing about being a Ranger is that you learn over the course of the school just how capable you are given the hardships you're put through. And that's what we do for sixty-one days."

These Rangers attacked the Darby Queen-one of the toughest obstacle course on any military instillation. Covering more than 60 miles with a 55-pound rucksack on their back. Continually testing their advanced combat skills across multiple ranges. They were challenged with eight different weapons systems with targets up to 800 meters and more than 500 rounds of ammunition. They were called upon twice to perform advanced life-saving skills under simulated combat conditions. They jumped from helicopters and then swam 500 meters to shore. And marched all night long until they were told to stop. Always facing the unknown at every turn.

At the end of the third and final day, the remaining Rangers are challenged one last time in an all-out final race to the finish.

The Ranger team of Zajkowski and Jenkins put all they had into the final run. But it wasn't enough. So after 59 hours of continuous competition only 26 of the original 49 teams finish the event. In fifth place: Team 31, Staff Sergeants Antia and Mutchie. In fourth place: Team 8, Staff Sergeants Farmer and McDowell. In third place: Team 7, Sergeants Malchow and Collins. In second place: Team 22, Master Sergeants Zajkowski and Jenkins. And the winners of the 2009 Best Ranger Competition: Sergeants First Class Chad Stackpole and Blake Simms.

SFC Chad E.W. Stackpole: "We're just glad that we're here, it's surreal, all the competitors are really happy. It was just a great field this year."