Recap, Episode 12: Ellis Beach, Australia
A WOOLY SITUATION Leaving the Pit Stop first at 10:41 pm, best friends David & Jeff opened their clue, discovering they must drive over 80 miles to the town of Ferny Hills, find a woolshed, and search through a giant pile of wool for their next clue. Commenting on his Team, David said, "Our strategy and our plan was use the Fast Forward in Leg 11, go in Leg 12 with the lead, and then our goal for Leg 12 is to increase that lead. God knows what's going to happen over the next two legs of the Race." Departing eighteen minutes later, engaged couple Kelly & Jon took the one dollar given to them for the leg and headed for Ferny Hills. On the bickering, Kelly remarked, "Yeah, Jon & I fight, but we made it to the top three, so what happens on the Race stays on the Race. So far, it has only made us stronger." Leaving the Pit Stop in last place, 34 minutes behind Kelly & Jon because of their time penalty, married couple Reichen & Chip got directions from a local and began driving to the woolshed. As they set off, Reichen remarked, "We have a penalty coming into this round, but we're so glad to still be in the Race. We need to stay intense, but make a conscious effort to be relaxed. We'll do fine in third place, and we're gonna catch back up. Watch out!" Arriving at the woolshed in the order they left the Pit Stop, all three Teams discovered that it didn't open until 6:00 the following morning and prepared for a night of sleeping in their trucks. When they awoke with the rising sun, Kelly & Jon joked around with an unresponsive Reichen & Chip. On their demeanor, Kelly said, "It's just fun to push their buttons and get them all riled up, because they take it seriously. As soon as that Race starts, you can't even get a friendly wave. Nothing." On this situation, Chip said, "I think Jon's strategy is to constantly just nudge us, nudge us, nudge us to try to distract us." Reichen added, "When we're on the Race and running, we do like to be serious and stay focused." At 6:00 am, the gates to the woolshed opened, allowing the three Teams to race through the sheep- and kangaroo-filled pathway that led to three separate stalls, each containing a monstrous pile of wool. As each Team took a stall, they furiously searched through the wool for their next clue. Kelly & Jon, both commenting on how awful the wool smelled, found their clue first, quickly running off to read the clue without the others listening. Opening it, they learned they now must drive to Brisbane Airport and fly over 1,000 miles to the city of Cairns, where they would take a marked car to the entrance of Wild World Tropical Zoo to find their next route marker. Leaving in the car, Jon said, "There's not a better feeling than just having that clue and running away from the two boy Teams." The two "boy Teams" continued to rummage unsuccessfully through the wool until Reichen & Chip eventually found their clue. A frustrated David & Jeff searched through their entire pile, realizing they somehow overlooked the clue, forcing them to start over. After several more minutes of sifting and saying words of encouragement to his partner like, "Eyes wide open, dude," David finally found the clue, and the best friends drove to the airport now in last place. Arriving at Brisbane Airport first at 6:55 am, Kelly & Jon ran to the Qantas domestic terminal where a ticketing agent told them that the next available flight to Cairns departed at 7:45 am. After the engaged couple booked their flight, Reichen & Chip entered the terminal and asked the agent, "Can we just do what they did?" David & Jeff came in just behind Reichen & Chip and booked the same flight as well. TAKE A PICTURE After landing in Cairns, Kelly & Jon led the Teams out of the airport and were the first into their car and driving away as a light rain fell. During the drive to Wild World, Kelly & Jon managed to keep their lead as David & Jeff tried several times to pass them, but failed as they were continually boxed in by another car. Pulling into the Wild World parking lot, Kelly & Jon ran to the Cluebox, followed by David & Jeff and Reichen & Chip, respectively. The three Teams now had follow a marked path to the crocodile pen, where one Team member had to choose a feeding stick and feed a fish to the 15-foot crocodile named Sultan while the other Team member took a picture with a Kodak Easyshare Camera. Only one Team could perform this task at a time. After Sultan was fed and the picture taken, Teams had to walk through Wild World to the souvenir shop, where they would develop their picture at a Kodak printer dock and receive their next clue. While reading their clue, Kelly & Jon walked past the table containing the Kodak Easyshare cameras and continued on to where Sultan waited to be fed. Seeing the mistake, David & Jeff grabbed their camera quietly, making sure Kelly & Jon didn't notice. At the feeding station, Kelly quickly realized their mistake and the couple forfeited their place in line. Returning for the camera, Jon blamed Kelly, saying, "You grabbed the clue out of my hand." Annoyed, Kelly replied, "Why are you blaming me? Why don't you take half the responsibility?" This mistake allowed David to use the feeding stick to feed Sultan first while Jeff took the picture. As the best friends ran off to develop their photo, Chip slowly approached the water's edge to feed Sultan as Reichen snapped the picture. As David & Jeff began developing their picture at the souvenir shop, Jon fed Sultan with Kelly taking the picture. Soon, Kelly & Jon joined the other two Teams at the processing center, where David & Jeff received their picture first. Printed on the back of the photo were instructions for them to drive 15 miles to Wangetti Beach to find their next clue. While David & Jeff breezed out of the souvenir shop in first place, a frustrated Reichen & Chip could not figure out how to process their picture, allowing Kelly & Jon to finish second. On the way to Wangetti Beach, Kelly & Jon each apologized to one another about the camera incident at the feeding station. Later Kelly commented, "I love Jon. There's no changing that. We're going to fight at least once a day. We'll get over it, and we will be together forever." HORSING AROUND Arriving at Wangetti Beach first, David & Jeff found a Detour. In this Detour, Teams had to choose between "Saddle" and "Paddle." Teams choosing "Saddle" must search a one-and-a-half mile stretch of beach on horseback for one of four Race flags. Once they found a flag, they must search within a 25-foot radius for a cluster of clue envelopes. However, only one of the clusters contained their next clue; the other three instructed Teams to try again. While not physically demanding, the task of searching for the right cluster could take a long time. Teams opting for "Paddle" must inflate their own kayak and paddle to an orange buoy to get their next clue. The task required a great deal of energy, but the clue would be easy to find. Opting for "Saddles," David & Jeff mounted their horses and began riding down the right side of the beach. Reichen & Chip, arriving second, also chose "Saddles" and rode down the left side. Jon, not listening to Kelly's directions, passed Wangetti Beach and continued driving several miles further until he asked a local for directions. Having chosen the shorter path, Reichen & Chip reached one of the Race flags before David & Jeff. Opening a clue in the bunch, Reichen read, "Sorry, try again," so the pair continued on further until they reached a second Race flag. Opening this clue, the frustrated pair found another empty envelope, meaning they must backtrack and go down to the other end of the beach. Meanwhile, David & Jeff, having chosen the correct path, found their clue at the first Race flag they encountered. Opening it, they learned they must drive 35 miles to the town of Julatten and look for Off Road Rush, an adventure sport company, to find their next route marker. As Reichen & Chip retraced their path, Kelly & Jon arrived at the Detour. Opting for "Saddles" as well, the engaged couple noticed Reichen & Chip coming from the left side without a clue and immediately knew they had to go to the right, as David & Jeff drove off in first place. WHAT A RUSH! Leading the way to Julatten, David & Jeff arrived at Off Road Rush in first place to encounter a Roadblock. In this Roadblock, one Team member had to choose a race buggy and, along with a racing instructor, drive as fast as they could along a bumpy, muddy, 7-mile course. After finishing the course and making it back to their partner, they would receive their next clue. Electing to drive for his Team, David donned a black racing suit and matching helmet, and got into the buggy with his instructor. With Jeff supporting him from the sidelines, David navigated the dusty, hilly course, enjoying the speed the buggy provided. As David raced around the rugged terrain, Chip endured an icy drive to Off Road Rush after accidentally running over Reichen's foot in the parking lot at Wangetti Beach. While not seriously injured, Reichen was extremely upset by the incident and Chip's carelessness in causing it. When the pair got lost, Reichen made Chip get out and ask for directions. Later in the car, a repentant Chip asked, "Am I really that bad of a driver?" Reichen replied, "I'm not answering that." The married couple managed to cool down and entered Off Road Rush just as David finished the Roadblock and read the clue instructing them to drive 50 miles to the next Pit Stop at Ellis Beach along the Coral Sea. As Kelly & Jon searched for Julatten, Chip took his turn on the course with a buggy. He was doing great until he cut a corner and ended up in some nearby bushes disabling his vehicle. A frustrated Chip had to wait until a replacement buggy was taken to him and he completed the course. As Reichen & Chip drove away from Off Road Rush, last-place Kelly & Jon arrived. Although Kelly volunteered to perform the Roadblock, Jon wanted to drive the buggy himself. Kelly became worried when Jon began taking corners a little too fast, forcing his buggy onto two wheels. After several close calls, Jon rolled the buggy over as a screaming Kelly ran to his side. A smiling, laughing Jon was pulled from the buggy, unharmed. After setting the buggy upright, Jon continued on the course with Kelly screaming, "Jon, be careful! I need you to win the million bucks!" After completing the course, Jon got their clue and the pair headed to Ellis Beach. ANOTHER WIN Driving back towards Cairns, David & Jeff searched for Ellis Beach. After spotting the yellow and red flag, the best friends parked their vehicle and ran down the beach to where Phil waited. Stepping onto the mat in first place once again, David & Jeff were informed by Phil that they had won a vacation to Europe compliments of American Airlines Website. An exultant Jeff noted, "We're coming into the home stretch. We're confident in that we think we're going to win the Race. We just don't think we're going to make the mistakes that other Teams may." After a jog down Ellis Beach, Reichen & Chip stepped onto the mat in second place. On their showing thus far, Reichen commented, "I think there are a few critics out there who didn't think we'd do so well, and I'm pretty proud to have made it through and to be here." As Kelly & Jon stepped onto the mat in last place, Phil informed the engaged couple that this was not an elimination leg. On his partner, Jon said, "Kelly can do anything she puts her mind to. She has that will to win at any costs. I love that about her, and I like our chances DAVID & JEFF MAINTAIN THEIR LEAD DOWN UNDER With only three Teams remaining, competition grew fierce as the million-dollar prize grew closer. After taking the lead from engaged couple Kelly & Jon at a crocodile feeding route marker, best friends David & Jeff never looked back, cruising to their fourth first-place finish. Married couple Reichen & Chip, finishing second, showed some strain in their relationship when Chip accidentally ran over Reichen's foot with their vehicle. Kelly & Jon, starting the leg off well, endured a day of careless mistakes that took them from first to worst, but were saved by the last non-elimination leg.http://www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race4/show/episode12/ar4story01.shtml
A WOOLY SITUATION Leaving the Pit Stop first at 10:41 pm, best friends David & Jeff opened their clue, discovering they must drive over 80 miles to the town of Ferny Hills, find a woolshed, and search through a giant pile of wool for their next clue. Commenting on his Team, David said, "Our strategy and our plan was use the Fast Forward in Leg 11, go in Leg 12 with the lead, and then our goal for Leg 12 is to increase that lead. God knows what's going to happen over the next two legs of the Race." Departing eighteen minutes later, engaged couple Kelly & Jon took the one dollar given to them for the leg and headed for Ferny Hills. On the bickering, Kelly remarked, "Yeah, Jon & I fight, but we made it to the top three, so what happens on the Race stays on the Race. So far, it has only made us stronger." Leaving the Pit Stop in last place, 34 minutes behind Kelly & Jon because of their time penalty, married couple Reichen & Chip got directions from a local and began driving to the woolshed. As they set off, Reichen remarked, "We have a penalty coming into this round, but we're so glad to still be in the Race. We need to stay intense, but make a conscious effort to be relaxed. We'll do fine in third place, and we're gonna catch back up. Watch out!" Arriving at the woolshed in the order they left the Pit Stop, all three Teams discovered that it didn't open until 6:00 the following morning and prepared for a night of sleeping in their trucks. When they awoke with the rising sun, Kelly & Jon joked around with an unresponsive Reichen & Chip. On their demeanor, Kelly said, "It's just fun to push their buttons and get them all riled up, because they take it seriously. As soon as that Race starts, you can't even get a friendly wave. Nothing." On this situation, Chip said, "I think Jon's strategy is to constantly just nudge us, nudge us, nudge us to try to distract us." Reichen added, "When we're on the Race and running, we do like to be serious and stay focused." At 6:00 am, the gates to the woolshed opened, allowing the three Teams to race through the sheep- and kangaroo-filled pathway that led to three separate stalls, each containing a monstrous pile of wool. As each Team took a stall, they furiously searched through the wool for their next clue. Kelly & Jon, both commenting on how awful the wool smelled, found their clue first, quickly running off to read the clue without the others listening. Opening it, they learned they now must drive to Brisbane Airport and fly over 1,000 miles to the city of Cairns, where they would take a marked car to the entrance of Wild World Tropical Zoo to find their next route marker. Leaving in the car, Jon said, "There's not a better feeling than just having that clue and running away from the two boy Teams." The two "boy Teams" continued to rummage unsuccessfully through the wool until Reichen & Chip eventually found their clue. A frustrated David & Jeff searched through their entire pile, realizing they somehow overlooked the clue, forcing them to start over. After several more minutes of sifting and saying words of encouragement to his partner like, "Eyes wide open, dude," David finally found the clue, and the best friends drove to the airport now in last place. Arriving at Brisbane Airport first at 6:55 am, Kelly & Jon ran to the Qantas domestic terminal where a ticketing agent told them that the next available flight to Cairns departed at 7:45 am. After the engaged couple booked their flight, Reichen & Chip entered the terminal and asked the agent, "Can we just do what they did?" David & Jeff came in just behind Reichen & Chip and booked the same flight as well. TAKE A PICTURE After landing in Cairns, Kelly & Jon led the Teams out of the airport and were the first into their car and driving away as a light rain fell. During the drive to Wild World, Kelly & Jon managed to keep their lead as David & Jeff tried several times to pass them, but failed as they were continually boxed in by another car. Pulling into the Wild World parking lot, Kelly & Jon ran to the Cluebox, followed by David & Jeff and Reichen & Chip, respectively. The three Teams now had follow a marked path to the crocodile pen, where one Team member had to choose a feeding stick and feed a fish to the 15-foot crocodile named Sultan while the other Team member took a picture with a Kodak Easyshare Camera. Only one Team could perform this task at a time. After Sultan was fed and the picture taken, Teams had to walk through Wild World to the souvenir shop, where they would develop their picture at a Kodak printer dock and receive their next clue. While reading their clue, Kelly & Jon walked past the table containing the Kodak Easyshare cameras and continued on to where Sultan waited to be fed. Seeing the mistake, David & Jeff grabbed their camera quietly, making sure Kelly & Jon didn't notice. At the feeding station, Kelly quickly realized their mistake and the couple forfeited their place in line. Returning for the camera, Jon blamed Kelly, saying, "You grabbed the clue out of my hand." Annoyed, Kelly replied, "Why are you blaming me? Why don't you take half the responsibility?" This mistake allowed David to use the feeding stick to feed Sultan first while Jeff took the picture. As the best friends ran off to develop their photo, Chip slowly approached the water's edge to feed Sultan as Reichen snapped the picture. As David & Jeff began developing their picture at the souvenir shop, Jon fed Sultan with Kelly taking the picture. Soon, Kelly & Jon joined the other two Teams at the processing center, where David & Jeff received their picture first. Printed on the back of the photo were instructions for them to drive 15 miles to Wangetti Beach to find their next clue. While David & Jeff breezed out of the souvenir shop in first place, a frustrated Reichen & Chip could not figure out how to process their picture, allowing Kelly & Jon to finish second. On the way to Wangetti Beach, Kelly & Jon each apologized to one another about the camera incident at the feeding station. Later Kelly commented, "I love Jon. There's no changing that. We're going to fight at least once a day. We'll get over it, and we will be together forever." HORSING AROUND Arriving at Wangetti Beach first, David & Jeff found a Detour. In this Detour, Teams had to choose between "Saddle" and "Paddle." Teams choosing "Saddle" must search a one-and-a-half mile stretch of beach on horseback for one of four Race flags. Once they found a flag, they must search within a 25-foot radius for a cluster of clue envelopes. However, only one of the clusters contained their next clue; the other three instructed Teams to try again. While not physically demanding, the task of searching for the right cluster could take a long time. Teams opting for "Paddle" must inflate their own kayak and paddle to an orange buoy to get their next clue. The task required a great deal of energy, but the clue would be easy to find. Opting for "Saddles," David & Jeff mounted their horses and began riding down the right side of the beach. Reichen & Chip, arriving second, also chose "Saddles" and rode down the left side. Jon, not listening to Kelly's directions, passed Wangetti Beach and continued driving several miles further until he asked a local for directions. Having chosen the shorter path, Reichen & Chip reached one of the Race flags before David & Jeff. Opening a clue in the bunch, Reichen read, "Sorry, try again," so the pair continued on further until they reached a second Race flag. Opening this clue, the frustrated pair found another empty envelope, meaning they must backtrack and go down to the other end of the beach. Meanwhile, David & Jeff, having chosen the correct path, found their clue at the first Race flag they encountered. Opening it, they learned they must drive 35 miles to the town of Julatten and look for Off Road Rush, an adventure sport company, to find their next route marker. As Reichen & Chip retraced their path, Kelly & Jon arrived at the Detour. Opting for "Saddles" as well, the engaged couple noticed Reichen & Chip coming from the left side without a clue and immediately knew they had to go to the right, as David & Jeff drove off in first place. WHAT A RUSH! Leading the way to Julatten, David & Jeff arrived at Off Road Rush in first place to encounter a Roadblock. In this Roadblock, one Team member had to choose a race buggy and, along with a racing instructor, drive as fast as they could along a bumpy, muddy, 7-mile course. After finishing the course and making it back to their partner, they would receive their next clue. Electing to drive for his Team, David donned a black racing suit and matching helmet, and got into the buggy with his instructor. With Jeff supporting him from the sidelines, David navigated the dusty, hilly course, enjoying the speed the buggy provided. As David raced around the rugged terrain, Chip endured an icy drive to Off Road Rush after accidentally running over Reichen's foot in the parking lot at Wangetti Beach. While not seriously injured, Reichen was extremely upset by the incident and Chip's carelessness in causing it. When the pair got lost, Reichen made Chip get out and ask for directions. Later in the car, a repentant Chip asked, "Am I really that bad of a driver?" Reichen replied, "I'm not answering that." The married couple managed to cool down and entered Off Road Rush just as David finished the Roadblock and read the clue instructing them to drive 50 miles to the next Pit Stop at Ellis Beach along the Coral Sea. As Kelly & Jon searched for Julatten, Chip took his turn on the course with a buggy. He was doing great until he cut a corner and ended up in some nearby bushes disabling his vehicle. A frustrated Chip had to wait until a replacement buggy was taken to him and he completed the course. As Reichen & Chip drove away from Off Road Rush, last-place Kelly & Jon arrived. Although Kelly volunteered to perform the Roadblock, Jon wanted to drive the buggy himself. Kelly became worried when Jon began taking corners a little too fast, forcing his buggy onto two wheels. After several close calls, Jon rolled the buggy over as a screaming Kelly ran to his side. A smiling, laughing Jon was pulled from the buggy, unharmed. After setting the buggy upright, Jon continued on the course with Kelly screaming, "Jon, be careful! I need you to win the million bucks!" After completing the course, Jon got their clue and the pair headed to Ellis Beach. ANOTHER WIN Driving back towards Cairns, David & Jeff searched for Ellis Beach. After spotting the yellow and red flag, the best friends parked their vehicle and ran down the beach to where Phil waited. Stepping onto the mat in first place once again, David & Jeff were informed by Phil that they had won a vacation to Europe compliments of American Airlines Website. An exultant Jeff noted, "We're coming into the home stretch. We're confident in that we think we're going to win the Race. We just don't think we're going to make the mistakes that other Teams may." After a jog down Ellis Beach, Reichen & Chip stepped onto the mat in second place. On their showing thus far, Reichen commented, "I think there are a few critics out there who didn't think we'd do so well, and I'm pretty proud to have made it through and to be here." As Kelly & Jon stepped onto the mat in last place, Phil informed the engaged couple that this was not an elimination leg. On his partner, Jon said, "Kelly can do anything she puts her mind to. She has that will to win at any costs. I love that about her, and I like our chances DAVID & JEFF MAINTAIN THEIR LEAD DOWN UNDER With only three Teams remaining, competition grew fierce as the million-dollar prize grew closer. After taking the lead from engaged couple Kelly & Jon at a crocodile feeding route marker, best friends David & Jeff never looked back, cruising to their fourth first-place finish. Married couple Reichen & Chip, finishing second, showed some strain in their relationship when Chip accidentally ran over Reichen's foot with their vehicle. Kelly & Jon, starting the leg off well, endured a day of careless mistakes that took them from first to worst, but were saved by the last non-elimination leg.