Editor's Note:
I admit it. I'm not a fan of this particular reality series where teams of competitors go dashing around the world, striving to be first to reach a destination in order not to be eliminated. I disregarded the first four series of this program from CBS.
However, I was indulging in channel surfing one night and heard people talking about Bariloche and tuned in. Imagine how surprised I was to find out it was Amazing Race 5 taking place, at least so far, in South America! I did a little checking and found the CBS website where I delved around and found background information about the series and the teams.
To recap:
Eleven two-person teams gathered at the Pier in Santa Monica, California to begin a 75,000 mile race around the world. Some are married to each other, some are dating, some are related, some are best friends. I wonder how their relationships will stand the tests of the competition? At any rate, the teams are:
- Brandon and Nicole, a dating Christian couple from Los Angeles
- Kami and Karli, identical twins from Eugene, Oregon
- Linda and Karen, best friends, mothers and amateur bowlers from Palmdale, California
- Marshall and Lance, brothers who run a pizza restaurant in Dallas, Texas
- Charla and Mirna, cousins from Baltimore, Maryland
- Dennis and Erika, formerly engaged, now trying to find their way back together from New York
- Bob and Joyce, widowers who found each other on the internet, from Mount Laurel, New Jersey
- Colin and Christie, dating from Corpus Christie, Texas
- Chip and Kim, married parents from Orange County, California
- Jim and Marsha, an ex-military father/daughter wanting a closer relationship from Florida
- Alison and Donny, an on-again, off again-couple from Pennsylvania
The teams met Host Phil Keoghan who told them there would be thirteen legs on this race, with eight being elimination points. Naturally, there will be twists to the game. At each destination, the teams must find clues and follow them to the next destination. In addition, there are tests of skills, endurance and common sense. There are enforced rest periods for eating and sleeping, but the teams will have to face language problems, culture shock, short deadlines and not much time to recoup from any errors they might make.
The teams set off on the first destination, Punta Ballena, Uruguay. At this time, Alison and Donny were in first place and Dennis and Erika were eliminated.
In the second episode, the teams take the buquebus from Colonial de Sacramento across the Rio de la Plata and on to Buenos Aires, where after squabbles and a fall from first place, Alison and Donny were eliminated and Colin and Christie moved into first place.
In Episode Three, the teams flew from Buenos Aires to San Carlos de Bariloche where Jim and Marsha were the last to arrive and were eliminated.
Next stop? Who knows? Perhaps somewhere in Chile?
Post your guess on the forum at Amazing Race 5 in South Anerica.
