50 hopefuls will compete for MAT

JAKARTA (JP): PT Philip Morris Indonesia will hold the local competition for its adventure program Marlboro Adventure Team (MAT) Winter Challenge 2000 at Bromo Mountain, East Java, late January.

"We have picked 50 candidates for the local competition which will determine the 10 participants for the Winter Challenge Adventure Team," marketing manager David Tjokro told reporters on Thursday during a breaking of the fast gathering.

"This adventure program is the largest ever since we started in 1995 and the first to take place in winter. Previously, we held it during the summer."

Company' records show that the program has attracted some 500,000 applicants since it was launched. The program has been organized annually since 1995 except in 1998 when the effects of the economic crisis were most severe.

The local competition is scheduled to take place from Jan. 26 to Jan. 28 at the Bromo mountain resort to stimulate the wintry conditions of the adventure from Telluride tundra, Colorado, to Moab desert, Utah, from March 20 to March 28.

The adventure will take place during spring instead of winter to enable the Indonesian team members to adapt to the climate.

The local competition will include waterskiing, jetskiing, cross country, obstacle course, swimming, rock climbing, jeep and all terrain vehicle (ATV) driving.

The real adventure in Colorado and Utah will feature jeep driving, hiking, ATV, rodeo, horse riding, ranch life and repelling.

Commenting on Bromo's recent volcanic activity, David said the company had prepared contingency plans.

"We have sent an advance team there who have reported that the conditions are just fine. But we have prepared contingency plans should anything happen," he said convincingly. (nvn)