There Is No “I” in “Team” – An Interview With Cindy from The Amazing Race 4

Friends/dating couple Russell & Cindy were eliminated after getting train tickets to the wrong town in Austria. Not only that, but it seemed like they were plagued by bad luck the whole race and a lack of communication with each other. Find out what Cindy has to say about her teammate, Russell, what she thought of the race and if they really did have an alliance with other teams.

RealityNewsOnline: Instead of dancing around the subject, and trying to make the question sound like I’m not really trying to ask it, are the two of you still dating? Are you even still friends?

Cindy: Have you seen the show? Look. It comes down to this. I never had a problem with Russell. This was the only display of disrespect I’ve ever encountered with him. When Phil said,” Go,” the Russell I knew was gone. I instantly was removed from the equation. Nothing is more frustrating than being blocked from something I am more than qualified to do. As far as individual tasks, Russell was excellent, as I knew he would be. He was efficient when asked to match the picture to the appropriate mask during the masquerade ball, and quick to bungee off the tower. (But then again, maybe his speed up the tower was just to avoid me following to cut the rope). To answer your question, as far as partners? I was looking for a team player.

RNO: Whose idea was it to try out for The Amazing Race and what exactly where you trying to acquire from the experience?

Cindy: I was the culprit who started towards jumping in full force. On one level, I felt this race was a perfect vehicle to break away from my projects that are a full time job, leaving me somewhat isolated from other facets of life. Secondly, I thought it would be fun with Russell, since we had always had a competitive way with each other, always trying to push the other to do well in everything we do as individuals. He agreed full on. Ironically, prior to being considered for the race, we just started talking about needing some sort of change with our lighthearted relationship, and at the time Russell was up for seeing what develops. I have a creative mind, and fantasy generates cool projects. So, I think what started as my little fantasy of the movie, Jewel on the Nile, turned into, Throw Mamma from the Train. Keeping in mind, this was a reality show, where at least in the movie, Momma got kissed before he through her ass off the train. Hey, at the end of the day, I’ve conquered fears, pushed my limitations, and opened my heart in front of millions. With this said, I can honestly say I didn’t lose, only gained, because I took chances, and for that I live life.

RNO: I know that sometimes I had dubbed you as one of the worst racing teams ever. I was not trying to be mean, but it seemed like every time you had a lead or finished a task quickly, you would still lose the lead you had. What was your racing strategy and what do you think needed to be changed most about it?

Cindy: First of all, don’t be down dubbing any more. Meanie. As far as, “seeming we had the lead and still losing the lead we had” no kidding! I agree. I’m as baffled as you are for some of it, but also, poor choices were made, trusts were given to the wrong guys, and somebody wasn’t hearing any reason. But that is not enough in a race such as this. Sometimes the experiences are hurry up and wait, but when it’s time to move, one must be a little clever. There is no time to think you’re being clever by playing a double spy with your own partner. These things will cost you dearly.

RNO: Do either of you feel that an alliance would have helped you advance in the race?

Cindy: I can’t speak for Russell, but for me it was not as necessary as everyone made it. Under extreme conditions, sharing a room to stay warm and save money on a cold night. What else? All I know is, I travel and juggle quite a bit by myself, and I always found it difficult for me to get a group of people to agree and decide quickly on going to the same place, let alone for a million dollars. Some people in this world will kill for five dollars, what makes me the expert on the other teammates, and whom to ally with? If you choose to take allies, play with allies, and then eventually trick them at the appropriate moment to advance yourself, you need to be completely in sync with you own partner, or your new-found ally will use that weakness to trip you up.

RNO: Was there any team that you did have an alliance with that the viewers did not see?

Cindy: I would say half wanted to ally with Russell, and the other half wanted to ally with me. With that nutty choice in mind, it would only split us on whom to trust, therefore my vote was not to ally with anyone. This was not the case for Russell. As you saw he allied with Reichen & Chip. Reichen, who just got done blocking the door so others couldn’t get in. Jeff & David, who just got done stating they allied with Chip & Reichen but they secretly won’t honor it. Sorry guys, but common sense told me to just focus on the target and not the distraction of the ally. As far as Russell’s strategy, you will have to ask him.

RNO: Let’s face it; the two of you had a huge personality conflict. What is it about each other that brought you together and decide to date? Did you realize you may not have been that compatible, or was most of the fighting just stress from the race?

Cindy: I’ve never had seen this type of behavior from Russell, until the race. So, I’m going to have to blame it on the stress, lack of sleep, food, and water. Oh, and the desire to win a cool million.

RNO: What are your thoughts on Reichen & Chip? Did you feel that they were playing dirty or just competitively? Were you one of the teams that wanted them to be one of the first teams eliminated?

Cindy: I thought they played the game well. I think they went places I wouldn’t have gone as well. I did feel they could be a threat, because they were on the same page with each other. I also worried about any team that Russell gave power to over our joint decisions. As you observed, when I was heard, and correct, info went from my mouth to Russell ears and then immediately shared with others teams in the Gondolas, as well as the bus station, where I quietly told him the first bus was the way to go.