HaMerotz LaMillion 1

Last updated

Contents

HaMerotz LaMillion 1
Season 1
Ha'Merotz La'Million 1 logo.jpg
Presented by Raz Meirman
No. of teams10
WinnerShay Kahana & Guy Osadon
No. of legs10
Distance traveled42,000 km (26,000 mi)
No. of episodes20 (22 including recaps)
Release
Original network Channel 2
Original release5 February (2009-2-5) 
11 June 2009 (2009-6-11)
Additional information
Filming datesNovember 2008 
December 2008,
30 May 2009
Season chronology
Next 
Season 2

HaMerotz LaMillion 1 is the first season of HaMerotz LaMillion (Hebrew : המירוץ למיליון, lit. The Race to the Million), an Israeli reality competition show based on the American series The Amazing Race . Hosted by Raz Meirman, it featured ten teams of two, each with a pre-existing relationship, in a race around the Eastern Hemisphere to win 1,000,000. This season visited three continents and seven countries and traveled over 42,000 kilometres (26,000 mi) during ten legs. Starting in Kfar Truman, racers traveled through Israel, South Africa, Vietnam, Japan, Macau, Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand before finishing in Otago. This season premiered on 5 February 2009 on Channel 2 with the finale airing on 11 June 2009.

Business partners Shay Kahana and Guy Osadon were the winners of this season, while dating couple Maya Kramer and Amichay Gat finished in second place, and stepdaughter and stepfather Tom Kilman and Gil Kislev finished in third place.

Production

Development and filming

Avenue Hall near Ben Gurion Airport was the very first Starting Line of HaMerotz LaMillion. PikiWiki Israel 46983 Airport City Israel.JPG
Avenue Hall near Ben Gurion Airport was the very first Starting Line of HaMerotz LaMillion.

On 8 April 2008, Disney-ABC International Television announced that it granted the license for Reshet to produce an Israeli version of The Amazing Race . [1]

Much like the American and Asian franchises, route markers were colored yellow and white in Vietnam to avoid confusion with the former flag of South Vietnam. Differing from most of the other franchises of the series, the last leg was not filmed back-to-back with the previous legs. On 30 May 2009, months after the penultimate leg had been filmed and during the broadcast of the actual show, teams were flown to the final destination to film the final leg. [2] The theme song was also different than the original American version's theme song with Israeli-style music. The song was mostly used throughout the series ever since the first season.

Graham Keating, Sydney, Australia's town crier, served as the Pit Stop greeter during Leg 8. He previously appeared as a greeter during The Amazing Race 2 . [3]

Cast

Liran Kohener Miss Israel 07 Liran Kohener.jpg
Liran Kohener
Elena Ralph Elena Ralph.JPG
Elena Ralph

The cast for this season included retired beauty queens Liran Kohner and Elena Ralph as well as the son of singer Ilanit, Amichay Gat. [4]

Maya & Amichay separated not long after the season aired, and Maya married Israeli actor Ron Shahar, who would become the show's new host in 2011, on 28 August 2010. [5] The couple had one daughter and separated April 2019. [6]

ContestantsAgeRelationshipHometownStatus
Liran Kohener (לירן)20Beauty Queens Rishon LeZion Eliminated 1st
(in Cape Town, South Africa)
Elena Ralph (ילנה)24 Ramat Gan
Asher Donsoili (אשר)24Childhood Friends Ashdod Eliminated 2nd
(in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
Maor Glam (מאור)24
Alen Bilig (אלן)32Exes Tel Aviv Eliminated 3rd
(in Vũng Tàu, Vietnam)
Inbal Harel (ענבל)26
Hannah Shaham (חנה)55Kibbutz Members Ashdot Ya'akov Medically Removed
(in Tokyo, Japan)
Margalit Koenig (מרגלית)62 Dganya Bet
Eliana Turgeman (אליאנה)33Importer & Fashion Designer Tel Aviv Eliminated 4th
(in Macau)
Yael Ambar (יעל)32 Ramat Hasharon
Hadas Federman (הדס)24Friends Herzliya Eliminated 5th
(in Sydney, Australia)
Inbal Shelevi (ענבל)24
Michal Shaviv (מיכל)35Married with 3 Children Or Yehuda Eliminated 6th
(in Auckland, New Zealand)
Ran Shaviv (רן)39
Tom Kilman (תום)54Stepfather & Stepdaughter Herzliya Third Place
Gil Kislev (גיל)25
Maya Kramer (מיה)30Dating Tel Aviv Second Place
Amichay Gat (עמיחי)33
Shay Kahana (שי)32Business Partners Tel Aviv Winners
Guy Osadon (גיא)30

Future appearances

In 2014, Maya Kramer competed with future HaMerotz LaMillion host Ron Shahar on the game show Raid the Cage . [7]

Results

The following teams participated in this season, with their relationships at the time of filming. Note that this table is not necessarily reflective of all content broadcast on television due to inclusion or exclusion of some data. Placements are listed in finishing order:

TeamPosition (by leg)Roadblocks
performed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Shay & Guy7th2nd2nd5th4th1st1stƒ2nd2nd1stShay 5, Guy 5
Maya & Amichay1st1st3rd1st1st3rd4th3rd3rd2ndMaya 4, Amichay 6
Tom & Gil5th4th4th4th6th2nd2nd4th 3 1st3rdTom 5, Gil 5
Michal & Ran3rd3rd5th2nd2nd5th3rd1st4thMichal 4, Ran 5
Hadas & Inbal4th8th7th3rd3rd 1 4th5th5th 4 Hadas 4, Inbal 4
Eliana & Yael2nd6th6th6th5th6thEliana 3, Yael 3
Hannah & Margalit9th9th1stƒ7th>7th 2 Hannah 2, Margalit 1
Alen & Inbal8th5th8th8th<Alen 2, Inbal 2
Maor & Asher10th7th9thMaor 0, Asher 3
Liran & Elena6th10thLiran 1, Elena 1
Key
Notes
  1. ^ Hadas & Inbal left the Pit Stop in Vũng Tàu in last place at the start of Leg 5 because they accidentally slept in.
  2. ^ Hannah & Margalit were unable to complete the leg because Margalit was hospitalized due to a severe abdominal infection that she began suffering during the flight to Tokyo. Raz Meirman met them at the hospital, where they were eliminated.
  3. ^ Tom & Gil initially arrived 4th, but took a taxi instead of walking to the Pit Stop. They were forced to go back to the Orient Hotel and then walk back to the Pit Stop. This did not affect their placement.
  4. ^ Hadas & Inbal had been "marked for elimination"; however, since they arrived last, they were eliminated without being issued the 30-minute penalty.

Prizes

Race summary

Route Map HaMerotz LaMillion 1 map.svg
Route Map
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 צומת (Detour)    Roadblock icon.svg מחסום (Roadblock)    Fast Forward icon.svg קיצור דרך (Fast Forward)
Yield icon.svg עצור (Yield)    U-Turn icon.svg סיבוב פרסה (U-Turn)    TAR-pitstop-icon.png נקודת סיום (Pit Stop)

Leg 1 (Israel → South Africa)

One team member had to bungee jump from Bloukrans Bridge in South Africa for the show's first Roadblock. Bloukrans Bungee Bridge.jpg
One team member had to bungee jump from Bloukrans Bridge in South Africa for the show's first Roadblock.
Locations
Episode summary (Episode 1)
Episode summary (Episode 2)
Additional note

Leg 2 (South Africa)

The Rhodes Memorial in Cape Town was the season's second Pit Stop. Rhodes memorial.jpg
The Rhodes Memorial in Cape Town was the season's second Pit Stop.

Airdates: 19 & 26 February 2009

This leg's Detour was a choice between דרך היין (Derkh HaYayn – Wine Road) or דרך הכוונת (Derkh Hekhvenet – Through the Sight). In Wine Road, teams had to drive themselves to Nelson Wine Estate and bring an empty barrel uphill to a wine vat. Then, they had to use buckets to fill their barrel with 400 litres (110 US gal) of wine to receive their next clue. In Through the Sight, teams had to drive themselves to Valley Gun Club. There, one team member had to launch clay targets while their partner had to use a shotgun to shoot down six targets to receive their next clue.

In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to drive a Formula One car on the Killarney race track and complete four laps with an average lap-time of two minutes or less to receive their next clue. If team members could not complete the task within the allotted time, then they had to serve a five-minute penalty before making another attempt.

Additional tasks

Leg 3 (South Africa → Vietnam)

In Leg 3, teams had to go to Ben Thanh Market and sell flowers to locals. Ben Thanh market.jpg
In Leg 3, teams had to go to Bến Thành Market and sell flowers to locals.

Airdates: 5 & 7 March 2009

This leg's Detour was a choice between בוץ (Botz – Swamp) or קפוץ (Qefots – Jump). In Swamp, teams had to complete a swamp obstacle course to retrieve their next clue. In Jump, teams had to cross a river by jumping across five large lily pad-shaped floating platforms without falling into the water to receive their next clue.

For this series' first Fast Forward, one team had to travel to Tân Vinh Restaurant, where they would discover that each team member had to eat a serving of roasted vole to win the Fast Forward award.

In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to collect five snakes from an enclosure and transport them into a nearby bucket to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

Leg 4 (Vietnam)

The coastal city of Vung Tau was the locale for this leg. Bo bien Vung Tau.JPG
The coastal city of Vũng Tàu was the locale for this leg.

Airdates: 12 & 14 March 2009

In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to choose a water buffalo and then lead it to plough a muddy rice paddy in a slalom pattern past a series of posts before returning to the start to receive their next clue. Team members were taught beforehand some common vocal commands to help control their carabao but had to start over if they asked for help.

This leg's Detour was a choice between סירה במים (Syrah Bemeym – Water Boats) or לדווש ברגליים (Ledvesh Bergeleym – Pedal Feet). In Water Boats, teams had to paddle basket boats across the river to retrieve a dangling clue. In Pedal Feet, teams had to pedal bikes laden with shrimp baskets 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) to a house where they would receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

Leg 5 (Vietnam → Japan)

Upon arrival in Tokyo, teams had to make their way to the Shibuya Scramble Crossing and find their next clue on one of the screens. Shibuya crossing 2.jpg
Upon arrival in Tokyo, teams had to make their way to the Shibuya Scramble Crossing and find their next clue on one of the screens.

Airdates: 19 & 26 March 2009

This leg's Detour was a choice between ללמד (Lelmed – Teach) or ללמוד (Lelmod – Learn). In Teach, teams had to teach a schoolchild who did not speak Hebrew to memorize ten Hebrew words. If the child could pass a test from a local teacher, teams would receive their next clue. In Learn, teams had to learn ten Japanese words from a local schoolchild and pass a test from a local teacher to receive their next clue.

In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to pass through three rows of archways, going through the correct archway in each row, to receive their next clue. If they entered an incorrect archway, they were sent back to the beginning by ninjas. If team members passed through 3 wrong archways, they would be sent to the back of the line of racers waiting to complete the task.

Additional tasks

Leg 6 (Japan → Macau)

In Macau, one team member had to fall 233 meters from atop the Macau Tower. Macau - Macau Tower.jpg
In Macau, one team member had to fall 233 meters from atop the Macau Tower.

Airdates: 2 & 4 April 2009

In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to walk around the outer rim of the Macau Tower observation deck and then perform the SkyJump by falling 233 metres (764 ft) in a controlled descent from the 61st floor of the Macau Tower to receive their next clue.

This leg's Detour was a choice between אטריות (Ateriot – Noodles) or עוגיות (Eogiot – Cookies). In Noodles, teams had to use traditional methods to flatten and cut dough into three acceptable bundles of Chinese noodles to receive their next clue. In Cookies, teams had to bite into 2,000 almond cookies until they found one cookie with meat in it to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

Leg 7 (Macau → Hong Kong)

Teams finished the leg at Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery in the Sha Tin area of Hong Kong. Vision of the Main Plaza.jpg
Teams finished the leg at Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery in the Sha Tin area of Hong Kong.

Airdates: 16 & 23 April 2009

In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to play ping-pong against a junior champion and score seven points to receive their next clue.

For this season's second Fast Forward, one team had to travel to Lai Chi Kok Park, where they would discover that they had to perform a Buddhist tradition of completely shaving their heads to win the Fast Forward award.

This leg's Detour was a choice between קונג פו (Kung Fu) or ריקוד האריה (Reyqod HaReyah – Lion Dance). In Kung Fu, teams had to learn a series of kung fu stances and perform them for the kung fu master. Then, both team members had to break a stack of seven clay tiles with one punch to receive their next clue. In Lion Dance, teams had to learn a lion dance, find a local master, and correctly perform the dance while in a lion costume to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

Leg 8 (Hong Kong → Australia)

While in Sydney, teams visited the Sydney Harbour Bridge where they had to climb the top of the bridge. Passing under the Sydney Harbour Bridge (6599713129).jpg
While in Sydney, teams visited the Sydney Harbour Bridge where they had to climb the top of the bridge.

Airdates: 30 April, 7 & 14 May 2009

This leg's Detour was a choice between ריקוד במים (Reyqod Bemeym – Water Dance) or גלגול בשמיים (Gelgol Beshemeym – Sky Roll). For both Detour options, teams had to don leotards and travel by Segway to their chosen task. In Water Dance, teams had learn and perform a synchronized swimming routine to receive their next clue. In Sky Roll, both team members had to perform a flying trapeze maneuver known as a "catch" to receive their next clue.

In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to perform a face-first rappel from the roof of the Hilton hotel to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

Leg 9 (Australia → New Zealand)

Teams visited the Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata, New Zealand, one of the locations used for filming The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Bag End.jpg
Teams visited the Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata, New Zealand, one of the locations used for filming The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy.

Airdates: 14 & 21 May 2009

In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to herd three sheep into a small fenced area to receive their next clue.

This leg's Detour was a choice between לחטוף (Lechtof – Snatch) or לתפוס (Letfos – Catch). In Snatch, teams had to play Rugby against three professional Rugby players. They had to run with the ball 22 metres (72 ft) without coming into contact with the rugby players or letting the ball touch the ground. Then, one team member had to kick the ball through the goalposts to receive their next clue. In Catch, teams had to learn and correctly perform a Māori stick game known as titi torea to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

Leg 10 (New Zealand)

Teams had to find a clue while riding in the Shotover Jet. Shotover Jet.JPG
Teams had to find a clue while riding in the Shotover Jet.

Airdates: 4 & 11 June 2009

In this season's final Roadblock, one team member had to ride in an airplane with a stunt pilot, enduring wild moves with heavy g-forces, to receive their next clue.

The task at the Nevis Highwire Platform was presented as an additional task, but it was actually a Detour. In the one aired choice, קפוץ יחד (Leqefotz 'Yeched – Jump Together), both team members would be harnesses together and had to swing above the Nevis Canyon to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks
QuestionsAnswers
Maya & AmichayShay & GuyTom & Gil
Who is the untrustworthy team?Michal & RanMichal & RanMichal & Ran
Which team is overrated?Hadas & InbalHadas & InbalMaya & Amichay
Which team are you most jealous of?Maor & AsherHannah & MargalitHadas & Inbal
Which of the three teams does not deserve to be in the finals?Tom & GilTom & GilMaya & Amichay
Which team should have reached the finals?Michal & RanMichal & RanMichal & Ran
Which team has the best relationship with each other?Maor & AsherShay & GuyTom & Gil
If the race was a foursome, which team would you pair up with?Shay & GuyMaya & AmichayShay & Guy
Which team argued the most?Eliana & YaelAlen & InbalAlen & Inbal

Ratings

The first season had a 23% average Jewish household rating across the season. [8]

Notes

  1. Shay & Guy and Maya & Amichay were shown reading the clue directing them to the Pit Stop outside the gate of the Saigon Zoo at 38:16, Amichay instructed a taxi driver to go to the zoo at 44:11, and Asher instructed a taxi driver to go to the zoo after leaving the theatre at 55:36. It is unknown what task was performed there.

References

  1. "The Amazing Race Heads to Israel". 8 April 2008. Archived from the original on 22 April 2008. Retrieved 9 April 2008.
  2. בר-און, ערן (31 May 2009). צ'יקי צ'יקי צ'ק אין. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  3. "Season 2 Episode 8 Summary: "Are You Allowed to Marry Your Sister in Australia?"". Reality TV World. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  4. Swissa, Eran (27 January 2009). מתחילים לרוץ: המירוץ למיליון תגיע למסך בשבוע הבא. Makor Rishon (in Hebrew). Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  5. רון שחר ומיה קרמר נשואים [Ron Shahar and Maya Kramer are married]. Ynet (in Hebrew). August 28, 2010. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  6. המירוץ נגמר: רון שחר ומיה קרמר נפרדו [The race is over: Ron Shahar and Maya Kramer say goodbye]. Ynet (in Hebrew). 18 April 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  7. פרק 13- רון שחר כובש את הכלוב [Episode 13 - Ron Shahar occupies the cage]. Reshet (in Hebrew). 29 April 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  8. רייטינג יומי: סוף המירוץ. Walla! (in Hebrew). 12 February 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2019.