Eco-Challenge TV Schedule Announced
LOS ANGELES, CA (March 6, 2003) - Eco-Challenge Fiji, a five-hour miniseries which documents the worldís premier Expedition Race(TM), will air on USA Network for four nights, beginning May 5. Showtimes are as follows:
Monday, 5/5 10-11pm, 12-1am (repeat)
Tuesday, 5/6 10-11pm, 12-1am (repeat)
Wednesday, 5/7 10-11pm, 12-1am (repeat)
Thursday, 5/8 9-11pm, 12-2am (repeat)
In October of 2002, eighty-one, four-person teams representing twenty-three countries converged on the Fiji Islands. They participated in an Eco-Challenge that was markedly different from years past, and which became one of the most dramatic races in the sportís history.
In a significant change from years past, Eco-Challenge Fiji focused on key expedition and problem-solving elements and challenged competitors with more decision-making and navigational hurdles. As a result, the race was one of the most grueling to date and only a fraction of the teams were able to complete the full course.
There is no shortage of drama in the program, as top teams play out a heated battle for the victory spot, and rookie teams struggle just to put one foot in front of the other. Over twenty long-serving camera crews (most of whom are “Survivor”-trained) were on location, racing side by side with the teams over the 500km course. The result is an unscripted drama better than could have possibly been written.
With a truly daunting course, the rookies had their work cut out for them. Hayden Christensen, the teen heartthrob best known for playing the young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones, felt the pressures of stardom as he struggled with his siblings on Team Kodak Water&Sport.
Coming full circle, a team of “reality TV veterans” comprising alumnae from “Survivor” and “Road Rules,” found the Eco-Challenge to be the ultimate test of man against nature. Team Mad River, which was made up of Ethan Zohn (winner: Survivor Africa), Jenna Lewis (Survivor Pulau Tiga), Adam Larson (Road Rules 10) and Tim Beggy (Road Rules 2), used good humor and bonhomie to get through the race.
The Playboy Bunnies of Team Smirnoff Ice Playboy X-Treme team also returned with a vengeance as they set out to prove that their performance in Eco-Challenge Borneo (which was nominated for an Emmy AwardÆ) was not a fluke - and that being beautiful doesn’t preclude being tough.
Meanwhile, at the front of the pack, the Americans and the Kiwis rekindled their rivalry from Eco-Challenge New Zealand, with the Americans vying for a three-in-a-row victory and the Kiwis looking to redeem last yearís heartbreaking second-place finish.
Throughout the 500km course, teams used only non-motorized forms of transportation including jungle trekking, swimming, mountain biking, canyoneering, river kayaking, fixed ropes, coasteering and paddling.
Mark Burnett, winner of two Emmy AwardsÆ and three People’s Choice Awards for his groundbreaking reality programs, expounded on Eco-Challenge Fiji, “In an effort to return to the roots of expedition racing, we infused a true spirit of exploration and the unexpected into Eco-Challenge Fiji. To race, athletes must be equal parts competitor, adventurer and explorer. With its dramatic story played out against the stunning backdrop of Fiji’s landscape, the resulting series is, in a word, riveting.”
For more information about Eco-Challenge and other upcoming USA Network programming, please check out www.usanetwork.com.
The Eco-ChallengeÆ name and logo are registered trademarks of J. Mark Burnett and may not be reproduced. Eco-ChallengeÆ, The Expedition Race(TM), Expedition Racing(TM) and Expedition Competition(TM) and all associated logos and service marks are all trademarks or registered trademarks of J. Mark Burnett in the United States and/or other countries.
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