The Amazing Race 9, Episode 8 First Class and Cargo Class Awards

Our teams opened this leg in Greece. By now you’ve most likely read Jenn’s always thorough recap, so you know where they ended up and what happened in between. So now, onto the awards!

First Class this week goes to sentimental favorites Fran & Barry. Jenn and I both thought they were likely the next team to go when this leg started. Although they hadn’t been close to Philimination yet this season, the combination of their second-to-last start time and having to deal with extreme heat seemed likely to doom them. (Yes, I know that they could still be the next to go since BJ & Tyler were not Philiminated, but they seemed very likely to finish last in this leg.) They set a goal from the start, which was to move up a spot. But they did far more than that, arriving at the mat in first place and winning a trip to Rome in the process. And they seemed to be quite far ahead of the second place team (Mojo).

Jumping up from fourth to first is an amazing feat for any team, but for the oldest team on the race, who admit that they are not as physically strong as the other teams, it is almost unbelievable. Barry & Fran were last to the incense burner but managed to pass the Frat Boys when the latter stopped for directions. At the detour they had good luck and found the message box right away. At the roadblock, Barry could have fallen apart as his shuwa collapsed into the hole. However, he kept going and remained calm. He gets extra credit for doing so while standing under the hot sun and digging in an underground oven. They left the roadblock after Mojo but benefited when Mojo got lost. So, Fran & Barry, for rising up to the top of the heap, head right onto the plane and take your nice, soft, leather First Class seats. Pull up a soft blanket and relax with a nice hot towel. You’ve earned it!

Cargo Class. A few teams were in the running for Cargo Class this week. Ultimately I decided to award it to Ray & Yolanda. They both admitted at the end of the leg that a lot of the fun has gone out of the race for them. They have never spent more than four days together, so they are getting to see sides of each other that they have never had to deal with before. It seemed that some jokes were taken too seriously, other comments were misinterpreted, and there was too much tension between the two of them throughout the leg.

It’s a given that things are going to be stressful at this point of the race. However, there are ways to react to that stress that are productive, and ways that are counter-productive. Yolanda & Ray definitely reacted in a counter-productive way. They bickered about little things, seemed to take things overly personally, and didn’t appear to want to be together at all. Phil even asked them about it on the mat. So, Ray & Yolanda, for losing sight of the goal and letting the stress get the better of you, you’ll be riding under the plane with the luggage. I do like you, so I hope you’re able to pull it together on the next leg.

Was it just me, or did the world seem to spin upside down this week? As Jenn noted, the Frat Boys and the Hippies have been in first and second for most of the race, but this week finished in the bottom two. And Fran & Barry, finishing at the top? This late in the race? I suppose stranger things have happened but I have to say I was not expecting this order at all. Another thing that makes The Amazing Race my favorite reality show!

So there you have it folks. Next week, Australia, tunnels under prisons, and bickering while bike riding. I can’t wait! Join me for next week’s awards, and in the meantime stay with Reality News Online for all things Amazing Race. Ciao!

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out these other recent Amazing Race 9 articles:

Sandy Lamparello is an Assistant Editor for Reality News Online and a Legal Editor for a publishing company in Washington, DC. You may reach her at realitytvjunkie@gmail.com. She doesn’t care whether you agree or disagree, she just wants to hear from you!

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