CBS

In a small village overlooking the Zambezi River in Africa, Matt & Ana Robar, the married couple from Simsbury, Connecticut, became the first Team to be eliminated from THE AMAZING RACE.

The Adventure Begins

The race began nearly 8000 miles away in New York City. Eleven Teams of two were led into the heart of Central Park. From there, the Teams had no idea where they would be going or what adventures they would encounter. All they had was a limited amount of cash, to be used for all expenses on the first leg of the race, aside from airfare, the only expense they need not worry about. The key to their next destination lay sealed within a yellow envelope waiting for them atop a single set of stairs in the park. Lenny Hudson, partnered with his girlfriend, Karyn Jefferson, described the start as "phenomenal. It was anticipation, it was nervousness, it was excitement--I was scared. It was all of those emotions rolled into one."

Host Phil Keoghan signaled the start of the race. The eleven Teams rushed up the concrete steps and ripped open the race envelope. Frank & Margarita Mesa, separated parents from New York looking at this adventure as an opportunity to reconcile, were the first to read the instructions. They were surprised and excited to discover their next destination was Johannesburg, South Africa. (

Margarita discusses her reasons for doing the race ) The Teams then hurried out of the park and hailed taxis or hopped on subways to JFK Airport.

Team Guido Gains Early Lead

Joe Baldassare & Bill Bartek, life partners who nicknamed themselves "Team Guido" (

the teammates tell how they got their nickname ), beat the New York couple in their own backyard and were the first to arrive at the airport. As the race went on, Frank became increasingly frustrated when Team Guido beat him and Margarita every step of the way. When Frank & Margarita reached the terminal just after Joe & Bill, Frank shouted in disgust and disappointment, "We made it second. I totally expected to be first. I was just so pissed. I couldn't believe that they were just standing there with that stupid grin on their face." Much to his wife's amusement, Frank continued to pick on Team Guido's flamboyant choice of clothing.

There were three separate flight options from JFK to South Africa. Seating on each one was limited, and the Teams on the last flight would be at a severe disadvantage. The four unlucky Teams relegated to that final flight were mother-and-daughter tandem Nancy & Emily Hoyt; fraternity brothers Kevin O'Connor & Drew Feinberg; engaged couple Paul Alessi & Amie Barsky; and married couple Matt & Ana Robar. As they boarded, Nancy noted, "One of the four of us will probably be the first Team eliminated."


		Would you have competed in THE AMAZING RACE? Yes--I'd even do it for free! Yes, for a million bucks. No, not even for a million bucks.

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