CBS

The twelfth edition of THE AMAZING RACE kicked off in spectacular fashion as Teams flew to the lush, green hills of Shannon, Ireland, and rode bicycles across a ravine suspended over the North Atlantic. Siblings Azaria & Hendekea claimed victory, while karma stung best friends Ari & Staella, who stole another Team’s taxi and ended up eliminated when they couldn’t coax their donkey to move.

READY, SET, SLOW!
Eleven Teams of two with preexisting relationships, ranging from friends to family to couples, converged at the famous Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles for the start of the 12th edition of THE AMAZING RACE. After host Phil Keoghan informed the excited Teams that the winner after 11 legs of racing would take home the one million dollar prize, he raised his arm, wished them safe travel and sent the Teams running to their bags.

Armed with only the knowledge that they must fly to Shannon, Ireland, Teams raced to the vehicles lined single-file in the narrow driveway of the Playboy Mansion. The nervous anticipation of the incredible adventure ahead made Teams anxious to speed away, all except for grandfather and grandson Nicolas & Donald, who snagged the lead vehicle and slowly prepared for their journey. Even with honking horns from impatient drivers behind them, Nick said, “Take your time, Don. We’re number one.” Even Phil seemed somewhat confused at the hold up as Don counted their money before finally driving away.

LEFT OR RIGHT?
The intersection at the end of the long Playboy Mansion driveway forced Teams to make their first decision of the race: turn left, the correct direction to the freeway and airport, or turn right. Nicolas & Donald, best friends Ari & Staella, newly dating couple TK & Rachel, dating Goths Kynt & Vxysin, and sisters Marianna & Julia all made the wrong turn. Siblings Azaria & Hendekea initially made the correct turn, but second-guessed their decision and turned around, allowing dating couple Jason & Lorena to take the lead to the airport.

At the airport Jason & Lorena continued to set the pace as they booked the earlier British Airways flight to Shannon, Ireland, along with friends Shana & Jennifer, married ministers Kate & Pat and dating couple Nathan & Jennifer. Sisters Marianna & Julia showed some speed running from the shuttle to snag the last pair of tickets on the British Airways flight, beating out siblings Azaria & Hendekea who settled for tickets on an Aer Lingus flight 45 minutes behind. Nick & Don, newly dating TK & Rachel, best friends Ari & Staella, dating Goths Kynt & Vyxsyn and father and daughter Ron & Christina were also on the Aer Lingus flight.

Instead of bemoaning their fate on the second flight, siblings Azaria & Hendekea decided to turn lemons into lemonade by teaming up with father and daughter Team, Ron & Christina, to research information on Shannon, as well as call a service to have taxis waiting for them when they landed. On this budding alliance, Christina remarked, “They have a family bond and we have a family bond. We share the same spirit of the game.”

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