the Amazing Race Returns to Chile for Sixteenth Season Opener

The Amazing Race has returned for its sixteenth season and to be honest it somewhat feels like it never ended. The eleven new teams began their journey from Los Angeles and include a grandmother/granddaughter, Jeff and Jordan from Big Brother, two brothers that are cowboys, a lesbian couple, Caite Upton who is known for being a screw up during Miss Teen America and several others. Their first hurtle was to travel to Chile but to get to the airport their only form of transportation could be public.

Jeff/Jordan, Dana/Adrian, Monique/Shawne and Carol/Brandy were the first at the airport and all received the only tickets on the first flight except for Carol/Brandy. The two prayed for a mechanical malfunction though and their wish was granted as the three teams on the first flight were forced to equalize with the others after a malfunction on their plane. One very Jordan moment was shown as she asked for tickets to China.... luckily she was corrected and she and Jeff were off to Chile. The airport showed the teams getting to know each other and Caite/Brent got most of the talk. She is well known for screwing up during the Miss Teen America pageant and Carol/Brandy continued their bitchy streak by making fun of her. I have a feeling those two will not be liked by many.

After all teams arrived in Chile their first task was to board a bus to their next clue. Three buses arrived at different times and they quickly learned that they would be performing their first Road Block. Caite/Brent arrived first followed closely by Jeff/Jordan. Caite and Jordan took the challenge and had to walk across a wire strung across the water. Caite had no issues getting across while Jordan struggled but was proud to get across. Others had some issues with the wires, Brandy was scared of heights and almost gave up several times while Dan fall off the rope but was still able to get across. Adrian had the most issues though and it would lead to a sad moment for he and his wife at the end of the episode. Most shocking had to be the Cowboy/brother who took the Road Block. His time on the task allowed he and his brother to catch up to everyone as they went from last to third thanks to the Road Block and eventual painting task.

Before partaking in the house painting task, the teams had to go down the mountain in a funicular. It's a small car that takes them down the hill rather then going down the steps. Catie/Brent were in first place but missed the ride down and rather went down by foot. They were second to the pit stop but had to wait thirty minutes to check in thanks to their mistep. Jeff and Jordan were the eventual first placers as Jeff realized they had to climb the hill to get to the houses, leading them to an early first and putting them up there with Allison/Ronnie and Rob/Amber as being first placers on the first leg. Seems being on a reality show before the Amazing Race is a definite plus.

The rest of the teams eventually found the houses and checked in. Steve/Allie had a little screw up though as they started painting inside a random house rather then the outside. Not sure why production didn't stop them considering they walked to into a strangers house and started to paint their walls. In the end grandma Jody and her granddaughter Shannon were spared elimination since Adrian could not get across the Road Block. They become the first team ever to be Philiminated without checking in on the first episode. Dana and Adrian seemed to be one of the more "real" teams and I'm sad to see them go but I'm SO happy Jeff and Jordan stayed and hopefully they are there for the long run.