“It Looks Like I Have a Wedding to Plan!” - An Interview with The Amazing Race 9’s Ray & Yolanda

RealityNewsOnline: Hi, Ray & Yolanda! Congratulations on your third-place win! You were one of my favorite teams this season. Why do you think you were cast? What did you each think you brought to the race?

Ray & Yolanda: We are a dynamic, athletic, and competitive couple. And considering that we were long-distance daters, it probably looked like we would bring the drama and friction that makes the race so fun to watch! We are both analytical and critical thinkers (possibly to a fault) who have “sleep when I die” attitudes. During the race we never gave up, even when the odds were not in our favor! We brought the underdog spirit.

RNO: What was your biggest motivation for doing the race?

Ray & Yolanda: Traveling the world with someone you love is the experience of a lifetime condensed into a month!

RNO: How did you go about packing? Did you research how any past teams packed?

Ray & Yolanda: The day before leaving for the race we purchased backpacks and stuffed them with everything we thought we needed. We tried our best to pack in layers and had one outfit for the cold and hot climates. But somehow our bags still ended up being 30 pounds each. Our research was limited to watching past episodes on GSN.

RNO: How important do you think luck is on the race, as compared to skills and abilities?

Ray & Yolanda: Luck can be a major factor in the outcome of the race on any leg, and if you have it you really don’t need to be that skillful or capable. But usually the most skilled and capable team is more likely to be awarded good fortune... go figure!

RNO: Do you attribute getting so far more to luck or to your abilities?

Ray & Yolanda: Our physical prowess and ability to complete detours and roadblocks quickly helped us to get so far. Usually it would come down to the difference between elimination and last place at a roadblock or detour. We definitely were saved by the first yield decision and that was probably a lucky break. Still, the top three teams made it to the finals because we all had qualities needed for successful racing, such as physical and mental acuity.

RNO: Is there anything you wish you could have done on the race that you didn’t get to do, or a place you wish you could have visited?

Yolanda: Ray got to skydive and bungee, and I definitely want to do both of these activities. We would like to visit South Africa and Oprah’s house - isn’t that a country?

RNO: Do you have any advice for future racers?

Ray & Yolanda: Always keep a positive attitude because anything is possible at any time. Remember, you just have to STAY in the race.

RNO: The other teams noticed that you didn’t spend much time with them. Was there a reason, or did it just turn out that way?

Ray & Yolanda: We definitely went our own way! Our race strategy was just to run our own race and to avoid inter-team conflict. I think it worked because it got us into the finals.

RNO: Is there anything you wish you’d done differently?

Ray: Every team except the ultimate winner will think of the one thing that they should have done differently, especially the last decision that leads to their demise. In our case, it came down to a cab ride. But it is important to learn from the mistakes and use the experience to prosper in the future.

Yolanda: I have no regrets! And just in case wishes really do come true, I am saving all of mine up to use later.

RNO: What are your future plans?

Ray: Continue on a path of entertainment and law and marry the girl of my dreams… Yolanda!

Yolanda: It looks like I have a wedding to plan!

RNO: Are you still in touch with any of the other teams? Do you still hold a grudge against any of them?

Ray: We stay in contact with all the teams, especially the hippies, Dave & Lori, and Fran & Barry.

Yolanda: All of the teams were fantastic and some visits are in the works. I got to get Lake & Michelle up here, too!

RNO: Is there anything else you want to say to people?

Ray & Yolanda: The world is waiting… for Ray & Yolanda! YAYO FOR RAYO!

RNO: Thanks, guys! I wish you both lots of luck and a great future.

Jenn Brasler is an Assistant Editor of Reality News Online and an aspiring writer from Falls Church, VA. You can e-mail her at luckyjenn@hotmail.com. She figured Ray & Yolanda wouldn’t win, but wouldn’t it be cool if they had?

Be sure to sign up for our e-mail update so you can stay informed about new articles on the site! And take a look at the rest of the site. You can find all of our recaps and other info on this show at the Amazing Race 9 page, and take a look at our Apprentice page and our Survivor: Exile Island page. You can even buy reality show stuff at our Reality TV Store!

For more news about The Amazing Race, be sure to check out SirLinksALot: The Amazing Race!