THE AMAZING RACE
THIS SEASON’S RACERS
By LindaM

I’ve waited to write this piece about the Amazing Race because of several reasons.  I was having trouble warming up to some of the racers and I wasn’t sure what to think of them.  Well, my opinions are beginning to form and while my favorite racers (Zev and Justin) are gone, I want to address a few of the other teams that I now have an opinion on.  Remember – this is MY opinion and everyone is entitled to their own!

The Globetrotters – Sorry to refer to them that way but the Harlem Globetrotters were always viewing when they played on the Wide World of Sports.  My dad enjoyed their antics and wanted the family together to have a good laugh.  I wasn’t sure whether I liked the fact that two sports “celebrities” were running the race but this team has grown on me.  I admire their respect for each other, the other teams, and the countries they are visiting.  Often times, Americans come across as demanding but this team has a respect that other teams should emulate.

Gary and Matt – This father and son team has quickly proved that a family can run this race together.  It’s not the first time that a father has run the race with their child but it is the first time that I have seen few fights or anger.  This combo seems to respect each other, their differences, and even if they do fight – in the end they are comfortable and cheerful.   They also have a respect for the different cultures, a knowledge of history, and a clear determination to play fair.

Dan and Sam – This brother team has been in the background but what I have seen has impressed me.  They seem honest and straight-forward and determined to play the game with a sense of fairness that could lead to their downfall.  Their one problem is that they trust too easily and maybe the wrong people.

Ericka and Brian – This husband and wife team are a class act!  They came on the race I think to prove to each other that they can do it and to Ericka’s mother that the relationship is real.   Very seldom do they fight or have major disagreements.  Ericka may have been Miss America but she doesn’t mind getting into the challenges and getting wet and dirty.  Brian is a motivator who believes in pulling his weight.  They seem to respect each other and the people they are with.  They don’t really question the culture but observe and offer respect.  My feeling is that they believe in the goodness of everyone and that they will help others when they are in need.

Now there are two I really haven’t warmed up to yet.  They are Lance and Keri and Maria and Tiffany.  Both have traits in their racing skills that make me think they could easily appear to others as “ugly Americans.”

Lance and Keri – Lance comes across too strong.  He’s determined to win and I have to question at any cost.  Keri is milder and tries to calm Lance down but Lance is the type that knows everything.  In one stage, he referred to himself and Keri as the Maya.  While there are people who are Maya still in the Central and South American countries, their race has been considered to have disappeared.  Does he mean they (Lance and Keri) will disappear?  He needs to think before he speaks.

Maria and Tiffany – this team comes across too strong.  I really think that the reason I can’t warm up to them is they started the trip with a lie.  Professional poker players – especially those who are ranked – should have known that their secret would be revealed.  And after coming off of Big Brother and Natalie the poker player, the profession has left a slight sour taste in my mouth.  While they seem determined to win, I don’t honestly see them respecting the other teams or the cultures around them.  If they did, would they have lost two members of their tour group in Japan?

The Amazing Race is still running and I’m sure my opinion will change as it is run.  The teams that I didn’t mention are just teams that I have no opinion on yet.  I’ll be dropping my with more opinions as the race unfurls.

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