GENTING HIGHLANDS: It was a race to be the last (cold) man standing in Resort World Genting’s recent Sub-Zero Challenge held on June 26, 2019.
A total of 31 Malaysian journalists from 18 media agencies took part in the challenge which required them to brave frigid temperatures with only a minimal amount of clothing.
The Resorts Communication and Public Relations vice president Katherine Chew said, “Life is all about challenges and I hope our media friends enjoyed this unique challenge here.”
She added that Genting Highlands was known for its cool mountain weather and Snow World was beloved for its recreation of a European winter.
“We have taken this to a new extreme by turning it into a polar region for the Sub-Zero Challenge. This is just one of the many interesting ways that we can ‘twist’ our attractions in Resorts World Genting into a whole new world of fun and challenge. So, look forward to more of this!”
The rules for the challenge were simple as the journalists made their way to the resort.
Some chose to accept the challenge and others preferred to cover the event from the safety of temperatures above 0 degrees.
Held at the resort’s popular Snow World, the space was transformed from a twinkling Alpine village into an Antarctic base camp with constant temperatures under-6 degrees Celsius for the event.
For those that did not fear the cold, the rules were simple – stay in Snow World for as long as possible with only a single layer of clothing under the standard jacket, boots and gloves provided.
“It was freezing!” said Siti Ampuan Azizan and Asriana Ahmad who came out after 53 minutes inside.
“I usually like the cold, but with one layer of jacket, this was not for the faint hearted. We only had mobile phones and power banks as distractions, and let me tell you … mobile phone batteries drain very fast below zero degrees to counteract the cold. But it was a fun experience.”
One hour later, another brave challenger fell out. Athirah from InTrend Magazine said, “I really thought I could pull through but I just couldn’t.” With that, only 12 challengers from ten media agencies remained.
At the third hour, a tie breaker was implemented where participants have to take off their jackets. All that was left was the one layer of clothes they came with.
At this point, it was all about mental will and physical endurance. It was half an hour later that seven challengers came to an agreement to walk away with the consolation prize.
Lokman Hakiem Abd Samad from Ideaktif said, “I thought I would be the strongest person that can stay in -6 degrees Celcius the longest.
“But I was wrong. They were others who were better than me. Most of us stayed more than three hours and that was more than the expected time. No one would like to give up.
“But after our jackets were taken, we still did not admit defeat instead we became a team. We all took our breaks together and came back in together. Alas, after three hours and 31 minutes, my partner and I chose to step out. Not because we didn’t want to win, but we allowed the others a chance to do so.”
Then it came down to the strongest five – Eddy Ong from Xuan Play, Iqram Rosli and Muzzamil from Bernama News Channel, Zamir Akmal Zambri from Media Prima, Brian Lee from Like Media and Nik from Astro Gempak – who faced off in a battle of mental will and physical endurance.
After three hours and 49 minutes, the cold proved too much for the strongest five. All five came out of Snow World with a solid proposal that they would split all their winnings and came out all winners.
“Our hands and feet started cramping, we couldn’t feel our face anymore and we had to come to a conclusion. All of us stood in a circle to discuss the best possible way to all come out as winners. So, we decided to split our prizes. Some decided to take home the trophies while others took home the stay at the hotel. It was a win-win for everyone,” said Iqram Rosli.
The thrilling Sub-Zero challenge in Snow World then came to an end with everybody walking home with a prize in their hands.
The Grand Prize winner Brian Lee took home the Gold Media Trophy while Iqram Rosli and Muzzamil took home a 3 days’/2 nights’ stay at Genting Grand Hotel and passes to The Void and Skytropolis for 2 pax.
Rewards were also showered on those who gamely challenged the wintry conditions, with the Second Prize Winner Eddy Ong taking home a Silver Trophy while Nik took the 3 days’/2 nights’ stay at Resorts World Langkawi and a Skytropolis Fun Day Pass for 2 pax and Third Prize Winner Zamir winning a Bronze Trophy, a 2 days’/1 night’s stay at Awana Hotel and a Skytropolis Fun Day Pass for 2 pax.
Consolation Prizes were given to six additional contestants for a 2 days’/1 night’s stay at First World Hotel and a Skytropolis Fun Day Pass for 2 pax and all remaining competitors took home a Skytropolis Fun Day Pass for 2 pax.
