Recap, Episode 1: Cortina, Italy
READY, SET, GO! THE AMAZING RACE began in Los Angeles, California as stretch Hummers transported the 12 Teams of two, each pair having an existing relationship, to world famous Dodger Stadium. In the first Hummer were Tian & Jaree, friends and models from Florida, who recognize that their good looks will be a real asset in the Race. Steve & Dave, friends and air traffic controllers from Chicago, climbed out next, followed by Beverly Hills married couple Reichen & Chip, who hope to prove that just because they are gay, they're not "inadequate." Millie & Chuck, from Chattanooga, Tennessee, view the Race as an opportunity to -*test*-('") their compatibility: Millie wants marriage; Chuck is on the fence. Next out of the Humvee were Steve & Josh, father and son from California, who have had a rocky past and hope to use the Race as a way of exploring their newfound friendship. Close friends Russell & Cindy walked out next. Cindy is hoping for more in their relationship, and the Race will -*test*-('") whether Russell can give her what she needs. In the second Hummer were Monica & Sheree, friends, NFL wives and mothers from Atlanta. Next out were David & Jeff, bachelors and best friends from Southern California. Amanda & Chris, dating for five years, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, know that because they're from a small town, the other Teams might perceive them as being weak or pushovers. But they have a style all their own that they know may cause some real surprises. Next emerged recently engaged couple Kelly & Jon from Southern California. Kelly is hoping to use the Race as a way of seeing her future husband in a unique light under the stress and strain of traveling 40,000 miles, and hopes the results are positive! Finally came Debra & Steve, married parents from Indiana, and Jon & Al, best friends and circus clowns from Long Island, New York. Host Phil Keoghan greeted the Teams on the infield, informing them that there would be thirteen legs in the race around the world, with nine of the thirteen Pit Stops having elimination points. Phil wished the Teams good luck, adding, "The world is waiting for you." When Phil signaled the start of the Race, Teams ran to their bags. Russell & Cindy reached theirs first, ripping open the clue instructing them to fly to Milan, Italy. As Millie told Chuck to grab his bag, Teams ran through the opened center field wall to the stadium parking lot, where marked vehicles waited. As Reichen & Chip grabbed an early lead out of the stadium, Chip remarked, "There's going to be a lot of people following us. They don't know where they're going, but if we can try to lose some of those people, that would be great." In the vehicle behind Reichen & Chip, Kelly wisely told Jon, "Follow the California-looking boys. I'm telling you, those guys are from California. They got the look." While most Teams got started in the right direction quickly, a few lagged behind. Although from Southern California, best friends David & Jeff inexplicably chose Sunset Boulevard out of the stadium, a much slower route than the 110 Freeway the other Teams chose. Jeff commented, "It's ironic that we would actually get lost in L.A. going to an airport that we've each been to maybe fifty times." Tian & Jaree remained in the parking lot, because the latch on their vehicle would not close. The pair had to wait for a replacement vehicle, which put them squarely in last place. According to the rules, no time credit would be given for the unlucky circumstance. Once they got the new vehicle, Tian remarked, "Let's just get out of here!" On the way to the airport, Steve & Dave discussed flight options. "Because we are air traffic controllers," Dave remarked, "I think we will have an advantage." The pair, somewhat lost on the freeway, oriented themselves by spotting planes heading for a landing in the distance. Monica & Sheree, also lost, caught a huge break. After passing Amanda & Chris and Kelly & Jon, a California Highway Patrol officer pulled alongside the NFL wives' vehicle. When Sheree asked for directions, the officer gave them an escort to the airport. CHEATERS NEVER WIN At the airport, Teams had three flight choices. Swiss Air, scheduled to arrive first in Milan, had room for four Teams. Lufthansa, leaving the same time as Swiss Air, but arriving forty minutes later, had room for three Teams. The remaining five Teams had to take the KLM flight, which departed an hour later. While Steve & Josh took a long hike from the parking lot to the terminal, Monica & Sheree ran to catch a shuttle carrying Kelly & Jon and Reichen. & Chip. Jon pointedly told the driver not to open the door. A disappointed Monica & Sheree watched the shuttle speed away. Kelly then turned to Jon and warned him about karma. Cindy & Russell reached the terminal first and promptly chose the Lufthansa flight, unaware of the difference in arrival time in Milan. They were soon joined by Amanda & Chris and Millie & Chuck, completely filling the Lufthansa flight. Jon & Al thought to ask about arrival times and became the first Team on the faster Swiss Air flight. Teams raced to Swiss Air for the remaining three openings. Kelly & Jon arrived first, securing their spot on the flight. Steve & Josh stood in line behind the engaged couple from Miami, hoping to get on the flight. Behind them were Monica & Sheree, Reichen & Chip and a discouraged Steve & Dave in the rear. The air traffic controllers said, "There's just too many people in this line. We've got to be prepared to move on." Steve & Dave caught a break when Steve & Josh walked to the counter to buy tickets. The father and son noticed the air traffic controller caps that Steve & Dave wore and invited the duo to join them at the counter. These two Teams took the remaining two spots on Swiss Air, joining Jon & Al and Kelly & Jon. Bumped off the flight by Steve & Josh, Monica & Sheree stormed off, while Josh explained that he and his dad had formed a "superteam" with Steve & Dave. As they walked out of the terminal, Monica warned, "We're going to see them again." Sheree agreed, exclaiming, "Cheaters never win, and they cheated!" Debra & Steve, David & Jeff and Reichen & Chip joined Monica & Sheree on the walk to KLM after their unsuccessful bids for earlier flights. After their early mishap, Tian & Jaree finally arrived, bickering, at the airport. Jaree snapped, "Don't even irritate me right now." While waiting to board their flight, Reichen & Chip approached David & Jeff about forming an alliance, and the pair agreed. Departing 55 minutes behind the other Teams, Monica said, "We need some luck. We need some planes to be delayed on the other two flights." BUS STOP Monica got her wish, but it did her no good. The Swiss Air flight was delayed thirty minutes, arriving only ten minutes ahead of the Lufthansa flight. Once off the planes, Teams had to get to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II to find their next clue. Kelly & Jon caught the first cab out of the airport and arrived at the Galleria in the lead. Opening the clue, they learned they were to search the mile of storefronts in the Galleria for hidden bus tickets leaving at 2:00 am, 4:00 am, and 6:00 am, with each bus holding four Teams. Once Teams claimed a ticket, they would be unable to exchange it for another. Soon, Cindy & Russell and Amanda & Chris joined the engaged couple in searching for the tickets. Not realizing they had a choice, Kelly & Jon and Russell & Cindy both grabbed tickets to the 4:00 am bus. After seeing the 4:00 am tickets, Amanda & Chris decided to search for a better option. Meanwhile, Jon & Al also settled for the 4:00 am bus. Millie & Chuck arrived at the Galleria and quickly found the 2:00 am tickets and alerted Amanda & Chris to this. Chris then told Steve & Josh and Steve & Dave, which rounded out the first bus. As the seven Teams in front got their bus tickets, the other five landed in Milan and made their way to the Galleria, hoping to catch up. Trying to gain an advantage, Reichen & Chip and David & Jeff, now working together, took the train to the Galleria on the advice of locals. Unfortunately, this information proved incorrect, as Monica & Sheree, Debra & Steve and Tian & Jaree, all in taxis, beat the guys to the Route Marker. Seeing a chance to make amends for his action at LAX, Josh showed Monica & Sheree where the sole remaining 4:00 am bus ticket was located, leaving the other four Teams on the last-place 6:00 am bus. The NFL wives thanked Josh and said they were even. Josh commented, "It's not going to hurt us, and I felt like they needed the help, and I don't really want those two blond chicks with the fake tits up in there." With plenty of time on their hands until their bus departure the following morning, married parents Debra & Steve toyed with the idea of getting a hotel room for the night, but didn't like the price they were quoted. After walking around, they came back intending to get the room. By this time, other Teams had arrived and taken all the available rooms. Reichen & Chip decided to let Debra & Steve share their room, saying, "Our good friends were going to be out in the cold tonight, and that was not going to happen." When Reichen & Chip left for dinner, Steve broke down crying, feeling he had let Debra down. Debra comforted him, saying "I love you so much." Meanwhile, Russell & Cindy decided to brave the elements and camp outside, but argued over where to sleep. On their fighting, Russell commented, "I think we need to work on communication." DETOUR IN THE SNOW After leaving at 2:00 am, the first bus drove into the beautiful Dolomite Mountains to the town of Cortina d'Ampezzo, reaching the clock tower at 9:00 am. The scenery was spectacular as the Teams breathed in the sight of the quaint village nestled cozily amidst the snow-capped mountains. Opening their next clue, Teams now had to make their way to the outskirts of town and board the chairlift at the base of Cinque Torri. After taking a bus together, the four lead Teams arrived at the base and ascended the mountain on the lift. At the top, Mille & Chuck, Steve & Josh and Amanda & Chris all ran along a marked path to the clue box, while the older, heavier and slower Steve & Dave lagged behind. This clue provided Teams with their first Detour. In this Detour, Teams were to choose either "Search" or "Rescue." Teams choosing to Search would use a locator beacon to find a signal emanating from beneath the snow somewhere in a 160-acre field. After digging at this spot, they would find keys to a snowmobile, which they could drive to their next clue. While not scary, finding the key in the field could take some time. Teams opting for Rescue would make their way to a pair of rock towers and walk across an alpine rescue bridge constructed of only four steel cables. Then, they would have to use a zipline to travel 250 feet across a deep ravine. While potentially frightening, Teams could complete this task quickly. All four Teams immediately decided to opt for Rescue. Taking the lead, Chris said, "With my fear of heights, I did not even look down. I was focused. I wanted to get moving as fast as we could." After successfully crossing the steel bridge, the dating couple from South Dakota then sailed along the zipline, followed by Millie & Chuck. Amanda & Chris reached the clue box in first place, discovering they had to endure a grueling hike back to the chair lifts before returning to the town of Cortina and their first Pit Stop at the Hotel Lajadira. Millie & Chuck and Steve & Josh trailed behind in second and third, respectively. Having difficulty with the terrain, air traffic controllers Steve & Dave were in fourth place, still trying to finish the Detour. "Steve and I are old, untalented, and not very athletic," Dave remarked, "Falling behind for Steve & I is not a good thing." As the second bus pulled into Cortina, Amanda struggled on the long hike back to the chairlifts. Chris yelled to Amanda, "Come on, Flo! You're stopped! You're not coming!" Amanda replied, "Dude, if you yell at me again, I'm going to die." Chris became irate at his partner when Millie & Chuck effortlessly passed them on the hike and took the lead. On the ride down the mountain, Amanda & Chris made up and received a surprise at the bottom. Millie & Chuck waited for them, as well as for Steve & Josh, so all the Teams could step on the mat together. Meanwhile, Steve & Dave suffered a setback while hiking through the snow to the chairlifts. Dave took a step in the deep snow and his knee gave out, causing him to fall. Dave instantly knew he had hurt his right knee, and the pair rested on the mountain until Dave could continue. When they started again, Dave said, "We're okay. We're going to make this." The two used sheer willpower to get Dave up the hill, battling their physical handicap as well as the wounded knee to make it all the way to the top. Steve even dug holes in the snow so that Dave could use them as leverage, a sort of snow-ladder, in navigating his way up. Once at the top, Dave thanked his teammate profusely, claiming Steve was the only one in the world with whom he would want to do this. MONICA & SHEREE'S DECISION While waiting for taxis to take them to Cinque Torri, Monica & Sheree toyed with the idea of taking the Fast Forward, which is an pass that, once earned, allows the team to bypass all remaining tasks in the leg and go directly to the Pit Stop. This award can only be won and used once by a Team during the entire run of the Race. To win this Fast Forward, Teams had to find a nearby mountain, don snowshoes, and trek to the top. After they had waited for some time for their cab to arrive, the NFL wives agreed to go for the Fast Forward to make up for lost time. Sheree said, "We're going to cross our fingers and hope we're making the right decision." The duo arrived at the field and began their journey up the hill. While the course proved tougher than they expected, Monica & Sheree made it to the top and claimed the Fast Forward, allowing them to head directly to the Pit Stop at the Hotel Lajadira. FIRST PLACE After a ride back into Cortina, Millie & Chuck, Amanda & Chris and Steve & Josh all arrived at the Hotel Lajadira, stepped onto the mat together and tied for first place. Shouts of excitement broke out when Phil Keoghan informed them that they had all won a vacation to Hawaii, compliments of the American Airlines website. On her strategy, Millie commented, "I want to befriend as many Teams as we can. I think it will be a beneficial thing for us to all leave together." As the three Teams finished the leg, the Teams from bus two, led by Kelly & Jon and circus clowns Jon & Al, began the Detour, all opting for the quick-but-scary Rescue. Conquering her fear of the zipline, Kelly crossed the ravine, just as Monica & Sheree stepped on to the Pit Stop mat in fourth place and Steve & Dave soon followed in fifth place. ELIMINATION As Kelly & Jon, Jon & Al and Cindy & Russell completed the Detour, the final bus arrived in Cortina. Knowing that someone on their bus would be eliminated, Reichen & Chip, David & Jeff, Tian & Jaree and Debra & Steve raced off of the bus to the Route Marker. Among the final Teams, Reichen & Chip took the lead at Cinque Torri as Tian & Jaree fell into last place, having difficulties getting a taxi quickly. As Reichen & Chip began the Rescue option at the Detour, Kelly & Jon finished in sixth place, followed by Jon & Al in seventh place and Cindy & Russell in eighth. After arriving at the top of Cinque Torri together, David & Jeff ran past Debra & Steve, as both Teams decided to do Rescue. At this point, Tian & Jaree reached the base of the mountain, still in last place. Soon the models caught up to the slow Debra & Steve, while David & Jeff continued through the Detour. Watching Debra traverse the bridge, Tian commented, "I can't believe we got behind the slow Team." After helping Debra across the bridge, Tian passed her, apologizing for doing so. With Teams in a race to the Pit Stop, best friends David & Jeff made an error on the hike back to the chairlift. They overshot the path leading back to the mountaintop and hiked all the way down to the snowfield far below, where the Search Detour option was located. Unaware that they had actually reached an area that was of no use to them, the two saw the snowmobiles and thought they could use them to get back up. Dissuaded of the notion, the two then faced the grim prospect of an extra-long hike back up the mountain to the chairlifts. Though the two were in top physical shape, this task was daunting even for them. Back on the mountain, Tian & Jaree began to gain ground, having finished the Detour. Much to Tian's chagrin, Jaree began to get winded on the way up the hill, while the athletic Tian powered through the ordeal. Tian begged, "Please, Jaree, don't give up. You can do it." As all three Teams struggled with the long hike, Reichen & Chip stepped onto the mat in ninth place. With a cab ride to the Pit Stop, Debra & Steve, Tian & Jaree and David & Jeff all hoped for the best. David & Jeff finished in tenth place and Tian & Jaree excitedly arrived in eleventh. While giving it their all, Debra & Steve arrived at the Hotel Lajadira in last place. Phil informed the married parents from Indiana that they had been eliminated. About his experience, Steve quipped, "Despite all the emotional and physical damage we've done to ourselves, we had a good time!" A little choked up, Debra added, "I did things today I didn't think I could ever do in my whole life. It's wonderful. Just wonderful." Steve also added, "What's most important to me is Debra and the fact that I'm going to get to spend every day with her for the rest of my life. That's what really matters to me." THREE TEAMS TAKE THE LEAD AS DEBRA & STEVE ARE ELIMINATED A journey of 40,000 miles began with the first big step at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. From there, Teams journeyed to the snow-capped peaks of Italy, careening into the first Pit Stop at the Hotel Lajadira in the snowy village of Cortina, nestled among the fabulous vistas of Italy's Dolomite Mountains. At the airport in Los Angeles, tensions boiled over when NFL wives and moms Monica & Sheree were denied desired tickets after father and son Steve & Josh had formed an alliance with air traffic controllers Steve & Dave. Stalking off in disgust, the wives shouted, "Cheaters never win, and they cheated!" Once in Italy, 12-year dating virgins Millie & Chuck and dating couple Amanda & Chris formed an alliance with Steve & Josh, and the three energetic Teams raced together to a first-place finish. Facing a grueling Detour in the snowy mountain passes, married parents Debra & Steve rallied to overcome both age and physique issues as they climbed their way to the top of a huge mountain. In the end, though, it wasn't enough to save them, and they became the first Team to be eliminated from THE AMAZING RACE.http://www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race4/show/episode01/ar4story01.shtml
READY, SET, GO! THE AMAZING RACE began in Los Angeles, California as stretch Hummers transported the 12 Teams of two, each pair having an existing relationship, to world famous Dodger Stadium. In the first Hummer were Tian & Jaree, friends and models from Florida, who recognize that their good looks will be a real asset in the Race. Steve & Dave, friends and air traffic controllers from Chicago, climbed out next, followed by Beverly Hills married couple Reichen & Chip, who hope to prove that just because they are gay, they're not "inadequate." Millie & Chuck, from Chattanooga, Tennessee, view the Race as an opportunity to -*test*-('") their compatibility: Millie wants marriage; Chuck is on the fence. Next out of the Humvee were Steve & Josh, father and son from California, who have had a rocky past and hope to use the Race as a way of exploring their newfound friendship. Close friends Russell & Cindy walked out next. Cindy is hoping for more in their relationship, and the Race will -*test*-('") whether Russell can give her what she needs. In the second Hummer were Monica & Sheree, friends, NFL wives and mothers from Atlanta. Next out were David & Jeff, bachelors and best friends from Southern California. Amanda & Chris, dating for five years, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, know that because they're from a small town, the other Teams might perceive them as being weak or pushovers. But they have a style all their own that they know may cause some real surprises. Next emerged recently engaged couple Kelly & Jon from Southern California. Kelly is hoping to use the Race as a way of seeing her future husband in a unique light under the stress and strain of traveling 40,000 miles, and hopes the results are positive! Finally came Debra & Steve, married parents from Indiana, and Jon & Al, best friends and circus clowns from Long Island, New York. Host Phil Keoghan greeted the Teams on the infield, informing them that there would be thirteen legs in the race around the world, with nine of the thirteen Pit Stops having elimination points. Phil wished the Teams good luck, adding, "The world is waiting for you." When Phil signaled the start of the Race, Teams ran to their bags. Russell & Cindy reached theirs first, ripping open the clue instructing them to fly to Milan, Italy. As Millie told Chuck to grab his bag, Teams ran through the opened center field wall to the stadium parking lot, where marked vehicles waited. As Reichen & Chip grabbed an early lead out of the stadium, Chip remarked, "There's going to be a lot of people following us. They don't know where they're going, but if we can try to lose some of those people, that would be great." In the vehicle behind Reichen & Chip, Kelly wisely told Jon, "Follow the California-looking boys. I'm telling you, those guys are from California. They got the look." While most Teams got started in the right direction quickly, a few lagged behind. Although from Southern California, best friends David & Jeff inexplicably chose Sunset Boulevard out of the stadium, a much slower route than the 110 Freeway the other Teams chose. Jeff commented, "It's ironic that we would actually get lost in L.A. going to an airport that we've each been to maybe fifty times." Tian & Jaree remained in the parking lot, because the latch on their vehicle would not close. The pair had to wait for a replacement vehicle, which put them squarely in last place. According to the rules, no time credit would be given for the unlucky circumstance. Once they got the new vehicle, Tian remarked, "Let's just get out of here!" On the way to the airport, Steve & Dave discussed flight options. "Because we are air traffic controllers," Dave remarked, "I think we will have an advantage." The pair, somewhat lost on the freeway, oriented themselves by spotting planes heading for a landing in the distance. Monica & Sheree, also lost, caught a huge break. After passing Amanda & Chris and Kelly & Jon, a California Highway Patrol officer pulled alongside the NFL wives' vehicle. When Sheree asked for directions, the officer gave them an escort to the airport. CHEATERS NEVER WIN At the airport, Teams had three flight choices. Swiss Air, scheduled to arrive first in Milan, had room for four Teams. Lufthansa, leaving the same time as Swiss Air, but arriving forty minutes later, had room for three Teams. The remaining five Teams had to take the KLM flight, which departed an hour later. While Steve & Josh took a long hike from the parking lot to the terminal, Monica & Sheree ran to catch a shuttle carrying Kelly & Jon and Reichen. & Chip. Jon pointedly told the driver not to open the door. A disappointed Monica & Sheree watched the shuttle speed away. Kelly then turned to Jon and warned him about karma. Cindy & Russell reached the terminal first and promptly chose the Lufthansa flight, unaware of the difference in arrival time in Milan. They were soon joined by Amanda & Chris and Millie & Chuck, completely filling the Lufthansa flight. Jon & Al thought to ask about arrival times and became the first Team on the faster Swiss Air flight. Teams raced to Swiss Air for the remaining three openings. Kelly & Jon arrived first, securing their spot on the flight. Steve & Josh stood in line behind the engaged couple from Miami, hoping to get on the flight. Behind them were Monica & Sheree, Reichen & Chip and a discouraged Steve & Dave in the rear. The air traffic controllers said, "There's just too many people in this line. We've got to be prepared to move on." Steve & Dave caught a break when Steve & Josh walked to the counter to buy tickets. The father and son noticed the air traffic controller caps that Steve & Dave wore and invited the duo to join them at the counter. These two Teams took the remaining two spots on Swiss Air, joining Jon & Al and Kelly & Jon. Bumped off the flight by Steve & Josh, Monica & Sheree stormed off, while Josh explained that he and his dad had formed a "superteam" with Steve & Dave. As they walked out of the terminal, Monica warned, "We're going to see them again." Sheree agreed, exclaiming, "Cheaters never win, and they cheated!" Debra & Steve, David & Jeff and Reichen & Chip joined Monica & Sheree on the walk to KLM after their unsuccessful bids for earlier flights. After their early mishap, Tian & Jaree finally arrived, bickering, at the airport. Jaree snapped, "Don't even irritate me right now." While waiting to board their flight, Reichen & Chip approached David & Jeff about forming an alliance, and the pair agreed. Departing 55 minutes behind the other Teams, Monica said, "We need some luck. We need some planes to be delayed on the other two flights." BUS STOP Monica got her wish, but it did her no good. The Swiss Air flight was delayed thirty minutes, arriving only ten minutes ahead of the Lufthansa flight. Once off the planes, Teams had to get to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II to find their next clue. Kelly & Jon caught the first cab out of the airport and arrived at the Galleria in the lead. Opening the clue, they learned they were to search the mile of storefronts in the Galleria for hidden bus tickets leaving at 2:00 am, 4:00 am, and 6:00 am, with each bus holding four Teams. Once Teams claimed a ticket, they would be unable to exchange it for another. Soon, Cindy & Russell and Amanda & Chris joined the engaged couple in searching for the tickets. Not realizing they had a choice, Kelly & Jon and Russell & Cindy both grabbed tickets to the 4:00 am bus. After seeing the 4:00 am tickets, Amanda & Chris decided to search for a better option. Meanwhile, Jon & Al also settled for the 4:00 am bus. Millie & Chuck arrived at the Galleria and quickly found the 2:00 am tickets and alerted Amanda & Chris to this. Chris then told Steve & Josh and Steve & Dave, which rounded out the first bus. As the seven Teams in front got their bus tickets, the other five landed in Milan and made their way to the Galleria, hoping to catch up. Trying to gain an advantage, Reichen & Chip and David & Jeff, now working together, took the train to the Galleria on the advice of locals. Unfortunately, this information proved incorrect, as Monica & Sheree, Debra & Steve and Tian & Jaree, all in taxis, beat the guys to the Route Marker. Seeing a chance to make amends for his action at LAX, Josh showed Monica & Sheree where the sole remaining 4:00 am bus ticket was located, leaving the other four Teams on the last-place 6:00 am bus. The NFL wives thanked Josh and said they were even. Josh commented, "It's not going to hurt us, and I felt like they needed the help, and I don't really want those two blond chicks with the fake tits up in there." With plenty of time on their hands until their bus departure the following morning, married parents Debra & Steve toyed with the idea of getting a hotel room for the night, but didn't like the price they were quoted. After walking around, they came back intending to get the room. By this time, other Teams had arrived and taken all the available rooms. Reichen & Chip decided to let Debra & Steve share their room, saying, "Our good friends were going to be out in the cold tonight, and that was not going to happen." When Reichen & Chip left for dinner, Steve broke down crying, feeling he had let Debra down. Debra comforted him, saying "I love you so much." Meanwhile, Russell & Cindy decided to brave the elements and camp outside, but argued over where to sleep. On their fighting, Russell commented, "I think we need to work on communication." DETOUR IN THE SNOW After leaving at 2:00 am, the first bus drove into the beautiful Dolomite Mountains to the town of Cortina d'Ampezzo, reaching the clock tower at 9:00 am. The scenery was spectacular as the Teams breathed in the sight of the quaint village nestled cozily amidst the snow-capped mountains. Opening their next clue, Teams now had to make their way to the outskirts of town and board the chairlift at the base of Cinque Torri. After taking a bus together, the four lead Teams arrived at the base and ascended the mountain on the lift. At the top, Mille & Chuck, Steve & Josh and Amanda & Chris all ran along a marked path to the clue box, while the older, heavier and slower Steve & Dave lagged behind. This clue provided Teams with their first Detour. In this Detour, Teams were to choose either "Search" or "Rescue." Teams choosing to Search would use a locator beacon to find a signal emanating from beneath the snow somewhere in a 160-acre field. After digging at this spot, they would find keys to a snowmobile, which they could drive to their next clue. While not scary, finding the key in the field could take some time. Teams opting for Rescue would make their way to a pair of rock towers and walk across an alpine rescue bridge constructed of only four steel cables. Then, they would have to use a zipline to travel 250 feet across a deep ravine. While potentially frightening, Teams could complete this task quickly. All four Teams immediately decided to opt for Rescue. Taking the lead, Chris said, "With my fear of heights, I did not even look down. I was focused. I wanted to get moving as fast as we could." After successfully crossing the steel bridge, the dating couple from South Dakota then sailed along the zipline, followed by Millie & Chuck. Amanda & Chris reached the clue box in first place, discovering they had to endure a grueling hike back to the chair lifts before returning to the town of Cortina and their first Pit Stop at the Hotel Lajadira. Millie & Chuck and Steve & Josh trailed behind in second and third, respectively. Having difficulty with the terrain, air traffic controllers Steve & Dave were in fourth place, still trying to finish the Detour. "Steve and I are old, untalented, and not very athletic," Dave remarked, "Falling behind for Steve & I is not a good thing." As the second bus pulled into Cortina, Amanda struggled on the long hike back to the chairlifts. Chris yelled to Amanda, "Come on, Flo! You're stopped! You're not coming!" Amanda replied, "Dude, if you yell at me again, I'm going to die." Chris became irate at his partner when Millie & Chuck effortlessly passed them on the hike and took the lead. On the ride down the mountain, Amanda & Chris made up and received a surprise at the bottom. Millie & Chuck waited for them, as well as for Steve & Josh, so all the Teams could step on the mat together. Meanwhile, Steve & Dave suffered a setback while hiking through the snow to the chairlifts. Dave took a step in the deep snow and his knee gave out, causing him to fall. Dave instantly knew he had hurt his right knee, and the pair rested on the mountain until Dave could continue. When they started again, Dave said, "We're okay. We're going to make this." The two used sheer willpower to get Dave up the hill, battling their physical handicap as well as the wounded knee to make it all the way to the top. Steve even dug holes in the snow so that Dave could use them as leverage, a sort of snow-ladder, in navigating his way up. Once at the top, Dave thanked his teammate profusely, claiming Steve was the only one in the world with whom he would want to do this. MONICA & SHEREE'S DECISION While waiting for taxis to take them to Cinque Torri, Monica & Sheree toyed with the idea of taking the Fast Forward, which is an pass that, once earned, allows the team to bypass all remaining tasks in the leg and go directly to the Pit Stop. This award can only be won and used once by a Team during the entire run of the Race. To win this Fast Forward, Teams had to find a nearby mountain, don snowshoes, and trek to the top. After they had waited for some time for their cab to arrive, the NFL wives agreed to go for the Fast Forward to make up for lost time. Sheree said, "We're going to cross our fingers and hope we're making the right decision." The duo arrived at the field and began their journey up the hill. While the course proved tougher than they expected, Monica & Sheree made it to the top and claimed the Fast Forward, allowing them to head directly to the Pit Stop at the Hotel Lajadira. FIRST PLACE After a ride back into Cortina, Millie & Chuck, Amanda & Chris and Steve & Josh all arrived at the Hotel Lajadira, stepped onto the mat together and tied for first place. Shouts of excitement broke out when Phil Keoghan informed them that they had all won a vacation to Hawaii, compliments of the American Airlines website. On her strategy, Millie commented, "I want to befriend as many Teams as we can. I think it will be a beneficial thing for us to all leave together." As the three Teams finished the leg, the Teams from bus two, led by Kelly & Jon and circus clowns Jon & Al, began the Detour, all opting for the quick-but-scary Rescue. Conquering her fear of the zipline, Kelly crossed the ravine, just as Monica & Sheree stepped on to the Pit Stop mat in fourth place and Steve & Dave soon followed in fifth place. ELIMINATION As Kelly & Jon, Jon & Al and Cindy & Russell completed the Detour, the final bus arrived in Cortina. Knowing that someone on their bus would be eliminated, Reichen & Chip, David & Jeff, Tian & Jaree and Debra & Steve raced off of the bus to the Route Marker. Among the final Teams, Reichen & Chip took the lead at Cinque Torri as Tian & Jaree fell into last place, having difficulties getting a taxi quickly. As Reichen & Chip began the Rescue option at the Detour, Kelly & Jon finished in sixth place, followed by Jon & Al in seventh place and Cindy & Russell in eighth. After arriving at the top of Cinque Torri together, David & Jeff ran past Debra & Steve, as both Teams decided to do Rescue. At this point, Tian & Jaree reached the base of the mountain, still in last place. Soon the models caught up to the slow Debra & Steve, while David & Jeff continued through the Detour. Watching Debra traverse the bridge, Tian commented, "I can't believe we got behind the slow Team." After helping Debra across the bridge, Tian passed her, apologizing for doing so. With Teams in a race to the Pit Stop, best friends David & Jeff made an error on the hike back to the chairlift. They overshot the path leading back to the mountaintop and hiked all the way down to the snowfield far below, where the Search Detour option was located. Unaware that they had actually reached an area that was of no use to them, the two saw the snowmobiles and thought they could use them to get back up. Dissuaded of the notion, the two then faced the grim prospect of an extra-long hike back up the mountain to the chairlifts. Though the two were in top physical shape, this task was daunting even for them. Back on the mountain, Tian & Jaree began to gain ground, having finished the Detour. Much to Tian's chagrin, Jaree began to get winded on the way up the hill, while the athletic Tian powered through the ordeal. Tian begged, "Please, Jaree, don't give up. You can do it." As all three Teams struggled with the long hike, Reichen & Chip stepped onto the mat in ninth place. With a cab ride to the Pit Stop, Debra & Steve, Tian & Jaree and David & Jeff all hoped for the best. David & Jeff finished in tenth place and Tian & Jaree excitedly arrived in eleventh. While giving it their all, Debra & Steve arrived at the Hotel Lajadira in last place. Phil informed the married parents from Indiana that they had been eliminated. About his experience, Steve quipped, "Despite all the emotional and physical damage we've done to ourselves, we had a good time!" A little choked up, Debra added, "I did things today I didn't think I could ever do in my whole life. It's wonderful. Just wonderful." Steve also added, "What's most important to me is Debra and the fact that I'm going to get to spend every day with her for the rest of my life. That's what really matters to me." THREE TEAMS TAKE THE LEAD AS DEBRA & STEVE ARE ELIMINATED A journey of 40,000 miles began with the first big step at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. From there, Teams journeyed to the snow-capped peaks of Italy, careening into the first Pit Stop at the Hotel Lajadira in the snowy village of Cortina, nestled among the fabulous vistas of Italy's Dolomite Mountains. At the airport in Los Angeles, tensions boiled over when NFL wives and moms Monica & Sheree were denied desired tickets after father and son Steve & Josh had formed an alliance with air traffic controllers Steve & Dave. Stalking off in disgust, the wives shouted, "Cheaters never win, and they cheated!" Once in Italy, 12-year dating virgins Millie & Chuck and dating couple Amanda & Chris formed an alliance with Steve & Josh, and the three energetic Teams raced together to a first-place finish. Facing a grueling Detour in the snowy mountain passes, married parents Debra & Steve rallied to overcome both age and physique issues as they climbed their way to the top of a huge mountain. In the end, though, it wasn't enough to save them, and they became the first Team to be eliminated from THE AMAZING RACE.