Amazing Race (French TV series)

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Amazing Race
Amazing Race France logo.jpg
Presented by Alexandre Delpérier
No. of teams9
WinnersAnthony Martinage and Sonja Sacha
No. of legs10
Distance traveled50,000 km (31,000 mi)
No. of episodes10
Release
Original network D8
Original release22 October (2012-10-22) 
24 December 2012 (2012-12-24)
Additional information
Filming dates30 June (2012-06-30) 
23 July 2012 (2012-07-23)

Amazing Race : la plus grande course autour du monde ! (English: Amazing Race: the biggest race around the world!) is a French reality competition show based on the American series The Amazing Race . Following the premise of other versions in the Amazing Race franchise, the show follows nine teams of two as they race around the world. The show was split into legs, with teams tasked to deduce clues, navigate themselves in foreign areas, interact with locals, perform physical and mental challenges, and travel by air, boat, car, taxi, and other modes of transport. Teams are progressively eliminated at the end of most legs for being the last to arrive at designated Pit Stops. The first team to arrive at the Finish Line wins a grand prize of 50,000.

The show was hosted by Alexandre Delpérier, produced by Shine France for CBS Studios International and in association with ABC Studios (a division of The Walt Disney Company), distributed by The Walt Disney Company France and broadcast on D8. [1] Starting in Paris, teams traveled through the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Japan, the United States, Brazil, and South Africa before returning to France and finishing in the Paris Region. The finale aired on 24 December 2012 with cyber-friends Anthony Martinage and Sonja Sacha as the winners, while childhood friends Hadj Semara and Yacim Djabali finished second, and surfers Stéphanie François and Alice Digne finished third.

D8 began airing the season on Monday 22 October 2012, and D17 on Tuesday 23 October 2012, both at 8:50 p.m. CEST (UST+2) [2]

Production

Development and filming

The Starting Line for the inaugural French Amazing Race was at the Rond-point de la Balustrade in the Parc de Saint-Cloud, Paris. Parc de Saint-Cloud - Rond-point de la Balustrade 1.jpg
The Starting Line for the inaugural French Amazing Race was at the Rond-point de la Balustrade in the Parc de Saint-Cloud, Paris.

On 23 March 2012, it was announced that Canal+ had acquired the format for a French version of the show. Filming started on 30 June 2012 in Paris. Teams travelled to seven countries for 24 days, spanning over 50,000 kilometres (31,000 mi) in five continents, finishing on 23 July at the Stade de France. [3] [4] This season visited the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Japan, the United States (making it the first foreign version of the show to visit this country), Brazil and South Africa. Among the highlights are a leg in the streets of Bangkok, an African safari, an excursion to Iguazu Falls and the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. Teams also visited Tokyo, Dubai, Los Angeles, Hawaii and Cape Town.

Unlike its American counterpart, the show is more narrative and informative in content as the show stopped several times throughout each episode to provide viewers with information about the culture and life in the places they visit. [5] Also differing from the American version is that teams are presented their first clue for the next leg at the Pit Stop of the previous leg. The teams are also often told of their next destination at the Pit Stop before they even open these clues. Teams normally don't begin the next leg at the Pit Stop, rather, they are released separately from airports or begin the next leg at hotels they stayed in during the Pit Stop.

Casting

Applications for the show started 16 April 2012 and ended on 29 May 2012. [6] On 27 September 2012, the teams were announced on Télé-Loisirs.fr. [7]

Broadcasting

Amazing Race premiered on D8 22 October 2012 and aired each Mondays at 8:30 p.m., with three rebroadcasts on weekends: two on Saturdays at 1:45 p.m. and 10:45 p.m., and one on Sundays at 5:35 p.m. [8] These rebroadcasts were later cancelled due to declining ratings. [9] D17 also offered a rebroadcast of the show on Tuesdays starting 23 October 2012 at 8:50 p.m.

On Friday before the premiere date, D8 posted the first hour of the premiere episode via Dailymotion. [10]

Contestants

ContestantsAgeRelationshipHometownStatus
Antoine 23Belgian Couple Charleroi, Belgium Eliminated 1st
(in Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
Héléna 21
Fabien 30Police OfficersParisEliminated 2nd
(in Ayutthaya, Thailand)
Aurélien 30
Mathilde 22Parisians Garches Eliminated 3rd
(in Kualoa Valley, Hawaii)
Séverine 21
Ouceni Touré28Twins Villetaneuse Eliminated 4th
(in Los Angeles, California)
Lassana Touré28
Francis Boutleux54Father & Son Calais Eliminated 5th
(in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Benjamin Boutleux27
Heïdi 32Bikers Alpes-Maritimes Eliminated 6th
(in Stellenbosch, South Africa)
Michel 54
Stéphanie François29Surfers Pau Third Place
Alice Digne31
Hadj Semara24Childhood Friends Maubeuge Second Place
Yacim Djabali25
Anthony Martinage29Cyber-FriendsParisWinners
Sonja Sacha33

Results

The following teams are listed with their placements in each leg. Placements are listed in finishing order.

Team placement (by leg)
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Anthony & Sonja2nd5th [a] 7th [b] 2nd1st2nd3rd4th2nd1st
Hadj & Yacim3rd3rd6th6th4th5th1st3rd1st [c] 2nd
Stéphanie & Alice5th2nd4th3rd5th3rd4th1st3rd3rd
Heïdi & Michel1st6th [a] 3rd1st3rd4th2nd2nd4th [c]
Francis & Benjamin7th4th2nd5th2nd1st5th
Oucéni & Lassana8th [d] 1st1st [b] 4th6th
Mathilde & Séverine4th7th5th7th
Fabien & Aurélien6th8th
Antoine & Héléna9th
Notes
  1. 1 2 Anthony & Sonja and Heïdi & Michel initially arrived 5th and 6th, respectively, but were issued a 5-minute penalty for taking a taxi to Wat Arun instead of the ferry. This did not affect their placement.
  2. 1 2 Oucéni & Lassana chose to use the U-Turn on Anthony & Sonja.
  3. 1 2 Hadj & Yacim chose to use the U-Turn on Heïdi & Michel.
  4. Oucéni & Lassana lost their key for the Pont des Arts task. They were able to continue racing, receiving a new key, but incurred a 20-minute penalty once they landed in Dubai.

Race summary

The complete route map for the first series of the French Amazing Race. Amazing Race (France) map.tif
The complete route map for the first series of the French Amazing Race.
Destinations Legenda lotnisko.svg Air travel    Legenda kolej.svg Rail travel    BSicon BOOT.svg Water travel    Bus-logo.svg Bus travel
Maki-heliport-15.svg Helicopter travel    Maki-bicycle-15.svg Bicycle travel    Maki-aerialway-15.svg Gondola travel
Route Markers Detour icon.svg Cross Road (Detour)    Roadblock icon.svg Road Block (Roadblock)    U-Turn icon.svg Demi-tour (U-Turn)    TAR-pitstop-icon.png ligne d'arrivée (Pit Stop)

Leg 1 (France → United Arab Emirates)

Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai hosted the season's first Pit Stop. Atlantis auf Palm Jumeirah - 'tlntys fy nkhl@ jmyr - panoramio.jpg
Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai hosted the season's first Pit Stop.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 2 (United Arab Emirates → Thailand)

In Bangkok, teams had to take the ferry to Wat Arun where they later encountered a Roadblock. Wat Arun 03-2012-01.JPG
In Bangkok, teams had to take the ferry to Wat Arun where they later encountered a Roadblock.
Locations
Episode summary

Leg 3 (Thailand → Japan)

At Tokyo's Shibuya Scramble Crossing teams had to look for their next clue on the big center right screen located on the building. Shibuya Night (HDR).jpg
At Tokyo's Shibuya Scramble Crossing teams had to look for their next clue on the big center right screen located on the building.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional notes

Leg 4 (Japan → United States)

For the Roadblock in Hawaii, one team member had to board the USS Missouri and decipher flag semaphore. USS Missouri from bow.jpg
For the Roadblock in Hawaii, one team member had to board the USS Missouri and decipher flag semaphore.
Locations
Episode summary

Leg 5 (United States)

In Los Angeles, teams had to find a saxophonist outside the Walt Disney Concert Hall playing one of the songs on a CD given to them, "The Bare Necessities". WaltDisneyConcertHall.jpeg
In Los Angeles, teams had to find a saxophonist outside the Walt Disney Concert Hall playing one of the songs on a CD given to them, "The Bare Necessities".
Locations
Episode summary

Leg 6 (United States → Brazil)

The sixth leg had teams visit Iguacu Falls in Iguacu National Park. Iguazu National Park Falls.jpg
The sixth leg had teams visit Iguaçu Falls in Iguaçu National Park.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional notes

Leg 7 (Brazil)

In Rio de Janeiro, teams visited the famous Christ the Redeemer statue to find a clue. Cristo Redentor - Rio.jpg
In Rio de Janeiro, teams visited the famous Christ the Redeemer statue to find a clue.
Locations
Episode summary

Leg 8 (Brazil → South Africa)

In this leg, teams traveled to Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town to perform one of the selected Detours. Cape Town Waterfront.jpg
In this leg, teams traveled to Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town to perform one of the selected Detours.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 9 (South Africa)

Much of the second leg in South Africa was set in the Aquila Private Game Reserve. Cape Winelands District Municipality.jpg
Much of the second leg in South Africa was set in the Aquila Private Game Reserve.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 10 (South Africa → France)

The final task of Amazing Race took place at Chaalis Abbey. Chaalis ensemble.JPG
The final task of Amazing Race took place at Chaalis Abbey.
Locations
Episode summary
LegCityDistance
1Dubai5245
2Bangkok9443
3Tokyo9712
4Honolulu11969
5Los Angeles9085
6Iguaçu9982
7Rio de Janeiro9168
8Cape Town9341
9Aquila9192
Additional notes

Ratings

The following information was taken from Médiamétrie.

EpisodeAirdateViewersMarket Share (Ages 4+)Rank
122 October 2012868,0003.5%#8
229 October 2012634,0002.5%#9
35 November 2012618,0002.4%#10
412 November 2012596,0002.3%#11
519 November 2012587,0002.3%#9
626 November 2012559,0002.1%#11
73 December 2012445,0001.7%#12
810 December 2012445,0001.7%#12
917 December 2012418,0001.6%#10
1024 December 2012220,0001.5%#11

References

  1. "Canal+ a acquis le format "The Amazing Race"... pour Direct 8". 24 April 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  2. "Amazing Race : la course démarre le lundi 22 octobre sur D8". 2 October 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  3. "The Amazing Race : Focus sur la folle course d'aventure autour du monde !" . Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  4. "CAN, Frédéric Mitterrand, Amazing Race : tous les détails sur les programmes de D8". 20 September 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  5. "Programmes TV – "Amazing Race, un jeu d'aventures comme au cinéma" – Divertissement – le Figaro TV". Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  6. "Casting de la plus grande course autour du monde jamais organisée à la télévision…c'est pour vous !". Archived from the original on 11 June 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  7. "Amazing Race : Tout sur le Pékin Express de D8". 27 September 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  8. "Amazing Race – Upcoming & Past Episodes". Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  9. "EXCLU: D8 déprogramme les rediffusions de "Amazing Race"" . Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  10. "Amazing Race : Regardez la première heure du jeu d'aventures de D8 (VIDEO)". Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.