The Amazing Race 4, Episode 2: Snowrafts, Gondolas, and Masks – Oh My!

Previously on The Amazing Race, we were introduced to 12 teams who would be racing around the world for one million dollars. Some struggled, like Tian & Jaree, while others completed each obstacle like it was part of their everyday life, like Millie & Chuck. At the end of the day though, someone had to go, and that ended up being one of my sentimental favorites, Debra & Steve. Eleven teams remain, but someone is going home tonight.

Here is the order in which they will be leaving the current pit stop, located at The Lajadira Hotel in the Italian Alps:

1st – Amanda & Chris – Dating Couple

1st – Millie & Chuck – Dating for 12 years/Virgins

1st – Steve & Josh – Father and son duo

4th – Monica & Sheree – NFL wives/sentimental favorites

5th – Steve & Dave – Old heads/Air traffic controllers

6th – Jon & Kelly – Engaged Couple/My pick to win

7th – Jon & Al – Circus Clowns

8th – Russell & Cindy – Who even knows at this point/Dating?

9th – Reichen & Chip – Married gay couple

10th – Dave & Jeff – Best Friends

11th – Tian & Jaree – Models/Singers/Actresses/Strippers; Well not the last part, but I’m sure they’ve dabbled.

Anyway, it’s 11:52 p.m. and Amanda & Chris, Millie & Chuck, and Steve & Josh all head out. They are told to go to the Trampolino Olympico ski jump where they will have to do some snow rafting. When they get there, they will have to load into a van that will take them to the top of the hill. Then the teams must get to the bottom of the hill, one at a time, on rafts. This looks like so much fun. Josh comments that the race is making him feel closer to dad. Why is that Josh, is he a jerk like you are? Okay, let me stop. The three of these teams decide they are going to stick together. Now, here is the thing: Millie & Chuck say that they are all in an alliance, yet neither of the other two teams mention this. I find that odd. Maybe it’s a very loose alliance or maybe Millie & Chuck are just delusional. I wouldn’t doubt it. Chuck also states that being a virgin and dating someone for 12 years shows that he has willpower. That’s not all it shows Chuck – it shows that you’re an idiot. These three front teams really get on my nerves, in case you couldn’t tell. Meanwhile, we have Chris shouting at Amanda to hurry up. They remind me of a younger version of Ian & Terri.

They quickly get to their task and complete it. Millie & Chuck go first, followed by Amanda & Chris and Steve & Josh. They get their next route marker at the bottom of the hill and it tells them to go to the Ponte Della Guglia Bridge in Venice. They will find their next route marker there. The teams have to get their by train, but there are only two train stations that will take them to Venice. One is closer and the train leaves later, and one is farther, but they have a chance to get a faster train.

It is now 12:48 a.m. and Monica & Sheree are now leaving the pit stop. They say that they are determined to succeed at all costs. I wish they hadn’t used the fast forward. It was the biggest waste of the fast forward ever and can really cripple them for the rest of the race, especially if they check in at a pit stop at the bottom of the pack. At 1:05 a.m., Steve & Dave leave. They both state that they are hurting and know they need to stay ahead of the others because if they fall behind they are doomed. Monica & Sheree do the rafting challenge, and look like they are having the time of their life. 1:15 a.m. and Jon & Kelly are on their way. Kelly says her main goal is not to let Jon down while Jon says that Kelly is blossoming. How good are these two together? I’m upgrading their status to “sentimental favorite” along with Monica & Sheree.

Steve & Dave do the rafting challenge and have a plan to take the next taxi that comes along carrying another team. However, that is not going to work because the next team, Jon & Kelly, are dropped off at the top of the hill. They realize they are in the wrong spot and have to get to the bottom. Instead of climbing back into their taxi, which may have already left, they decide it would be more fun to just slide down the hill. As they are doing this, Steve & Dave are calling them morons. They may be morons, but I must admit, they got down the hill rather quickly and managed to keep Steve & Dave there until their own taxi showed up.

It’s now 1:22 a.m. and Jon & Al are leaving. They always look like they are having fun. By this time though, Jon and Kelly have just finished going down the hill the correct way. 1:44 a.m. sees Russell and Cindy leaving the pit stop. Cindy says that she loves Russell, while Russell says they are not traveling romantically because the stress of the race may bruise their relationship. I understand where Russell is coming with this, but he better not mention it to Cindy, she may pitch a fit. Also, has anyone else noticed that Cindy has an extremely long neck? It’s not a bad thing, but I can’t believe how long it is! Maybe that is why she always wears a turtleneck. Oh, poor Cindy.