The Amazing Race 17: Team Glee Sings Their Way Out

A Brutal Detour on TAR 17Image via Wikipedia

It was a funny episode of The Amazing Race tonight, with teams headed to the Arctic Circle (Sweden). Jonathan and Connor started the 4th leg of the race in first place. It was their graduation day from Princeton, and they would have had more fun there. By the end of the leg, Team Glee were the last to arrive and sang their way off The Amazing Race 17.

The 4th leg started in Ghana, and headed the teams straight to the Arctic Circle (a 4500 mile trek). Most would choose to fly, however Nick thought the cabbie could help he and Vicki out by just driving them there. Told you it was a funny episode! Vicki quickly straightened him out, “...we need to just go to the airport!”

Kevin & Michael finished the 3rd leg in last place so they would encounter a Speed Bump on this leg. Luckily they were smart enough to find an earlier flight than the rest of the teams. They shared their good fortune with Mallory & Gary. Nat & Kat also found the earlier flight and shared the info with Brook & Claire. All four teams made the first flight and the tight connections for a big lead.


Once they got to Kiruna, Sweden, Michael & Keven had to complete their easy Speed Bump in an ice castle. Sitting on ice chairs for 10 minutes... Kevin was wearing soccer shorts. This is where the quote of the night came from: “We should have brought gloves, and um, butt pads!” from Kevin.

The Roadblock was a dog sled challenge. Teams had to pick a member to drive a dog sled team (the dogs did all the steering and work) while grabbing flags around a practice track. Jill & Thomas found the roadblock last and immediately started running in the wrong direction after getting the clue. They had the Express Pass, but chose not to use it... yet.

The Detour was called "Sleds or Beds". Teams had a choice of either going down a mountain on mini snowmobiles (on your knees) or building a tent (complete with beds and fire). Most tried the sleds first. They turned out to be much harder than they looked, as usual.

Kevin & Michael were the only team to choose Beds first, and it was the perfect choice. Chad & Stephanie and Conner & Jonathan all had to switch tasks from the sleds after at least one poor attempt at the sleds. Jill & Thomas had to break down and use their Express Pass to guarantee that they would not be eliminated. They got to leave the tent area without completing the task and go directly to the pit stop. Not surprisingly, bikers Nick & Vicki got down the mountain on the sleds in one piece and quickly.

Here’s how the teams finished the 4th leg of The Amazing Race 17:
1. Nat & Kat
2. Gary & Mallory
3. Brook & Claire
4. Michael & Kevin
5. Jill & Thomas
6. Nick & Vicki
7. Chad & Stephanie
8. Katie & Rachel
Connor & Jonathan (Team Glee) were eliminated from the race and sang right up to the ending credits. I won't soon forget the drunken music playing as they failed over and over on the sled challenge.

So now who are you rooting for on The Amazing Race 17? I’m still on the fence, but Nat & Kat have been at the top of my list. I like Brook & Claire, but the screaming has got to stop (Brook). I’m impressed that Nick & Vicki have not only hung on so long, but have stayed competitive in this season of the race. Next week involves a gross food challenge, so I may have to turn the channel for a bit. Hopefully it’s a Detour and not a Roadblock, so not all teams will have to do it. That’s it for this week, see you next week for the 5th leg of The Amazing Race 17!




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