"The Amazing Race 17" is About to Begin - Meet the Cast

"The Amazing Race 17" began airing Sunday, September 26, at 8:30pm ET, on CBS, Eleven teams met at the starting line in Gloucester, Massachusetts for the globe trotting race.

"The Amazing Race 17" - Cast
As always, the producers of "The Amazing Race" have assembled a varied cast of racers. The group includes the following cast members for season 17: (Find out more about the cast at "The Amazing Race.")

Andie and Jenna - Mom and daughter team of "The Amazing Race 17" Cast
Andie, age 43, is having a self-proclaimed mid-life crisis and is looking for an adventure outside of her comfort zone. Her teammate, Jenna, age 21, is one of Andie's 10 children. If that woman can raise 10 kids and come through the crises of life with her sanity intact, there shouldn't be any task too difficult for her on "The Amazing Race 17."

Jenna is Andie's daughter, but she has only recently met her birth mother. "The Amazing Race" offers them an opportunity to get to know each other and build a trusting, inter-dependent relationship.

Brook and Claire - Best friends team up for the cast of the race
Brook and Claire are best friends and co-hosts on a home shopping network show. Brook is 27 and almost over-confident. Claire and Brook both admit that Brook is a control freak. Claire, age 30, works allows Brook to take the ball and run, but says she will not hesitate to reign her in or egg her on if necessary. Brook and Claire want to be the first women's team to win "The Amazing Race."

Chad and Stephanie - A whirlwind romance hit's the road together among the cast of "The Amazing Race 17"
Chad is a 26 year-old from Florida and is in "The Amazing Race" with his girlfriend Stephanie, age 23. Chad appears to be mild mannered on the surface, but Stephanie has already ratted him out for having a temper. The couple recently purchased a home together following a 5 month whirlwind romance. If their relationship survives "The Amazing Race 17" it will be a miracle. I think Chad is going to run all over her in the course of the race. Chad seems focused and driven, while Stephanie strikes me as eclectic and emotional.

Conner and Jonathan - college buddies and choristers on "The Amazing Race 17"
Conner, age 22, and Jonathan, age 22, are best friends and acapella choir pals from Princeton. Conner is the more aggressive of the two, while Jonathan has a great sense of humor. Conner is afraid that Jonathan may lack the courage to step outside the box to complete a challenge or win "The Amazing Race." I don't think these choirboys have what it takes to win the race, but they did a great video in which they sang an ode to "The Amazing Race." (Watch The Amazing Race - Sing Along video on CBS.com)

Gary and Mallory - the father-daughter team among the cast of "The Amazing Race 17"
Gary, 53, has entered the race with his daughter Mallory, age 24. Gary is a fit, confident, family man who should compete well with his daughter. The question is, will she be able to compete at the level her father expects. He is a former coach, she is a runner-up in the Miss America pageant, as Miss Kentucky. She, like Brook, is a talker.

Jill and Thomas - an edgy couple, likely to become fractured during "The Amazing Race 17"
Jill, 27, is looking for an "Eat, Pray, Love" experience from "The Amazing Race 17" with her boyfriend, Thomas, age 30. Jill and Thomas are looking to work on communication skills and grow as a couple. I think they should have worked out their communication skills before entering "The Amazing Race 17." I look for Thomas and Jill to be one of the most confrontational teams.

Katie and Rachel - beach volleyball players travel the world on "The Amazing Race 17"
Katie, age 23, and Rachel, age 24 are best friends and beach volleyball players. They are true competitors who will be driven to win the race. This year's cast is full of women who love to talk. Katie and Rachel are two more players who will have plenty to say, to each other and the camera. Katie and Rachel have a good shot at winning the race, if Katie will not get too laid back on Rachel and will work with her to keep ahead in the game.

Michael and Kevin - fun father and son join the cast of "The Amazing Race 17"
Michael, at age 58, is competing with his 20 year-old son Kevin. Kevin and Michael already have a fan base of people who faithfully watch their Youtube videos. Kevin and Michael have good chemistry. They may be a fun team to watch, but I'm not sure they will be very competitive. Michael even said that he doesn't like to be in competitive situations. If that is the case he is on the wrong path in "The Amazing Race."

Nat and Kat - the doctors are on call for season 17 of "The Amazing Race"
Nat, 31, and Kat, 35, are doctors and friends. They are accustomed to working under pressure and being sleep deprived, so they should function well under the pressures of "The Amazing Race 17." They feel like they are nerds, but they don't look like nerds. They are intelligent women who may give the girls volleyball team, Katie and Rachel, a run for the money.

Nick and Vicki - the tough as nails team on the cast of "The Amazing Race?"
Nick, 26, and Vicki, 26, are a couple who has been together for two years. They want to win, but they also have a message to deliver. They look like rough and tumble players, but insist that their looks misrepresent who they are. Their message to the word: Don't judge a book by its cover. Nick and Vicki seem to know each other well. Their easy-going persona may give them an edge when the pressure is on.

Ron and Toni - a theater pair takes up "The Amazing Race"
Ron, age 45, and Toni, 42 are another pair of best friends. Both men appear insightful and intelligent, but while other contestants list sports among their favorite hobbies Ron is more a fan of theater. That's not a bad thing, but it will not give him an edge in "The Amazing Race 17." Ron and Toni both think they have the physical make-up and stamina to make it to the end, and maybe they do.

Enjoy "The Amazing Race 17" Sundays at 8:00 pm ET, on CBS. The season premier will air at 8:30 pm ET.

Watch videos of "The Amazing Race" at CBS.com

Sources:
The Amazing Race, CBS
The Amazing Race - Sing Along
The Amazing Race 17 - Cast, CBS.com