The Amazing Race 14

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The Amazing Race 14
Season 14
Amazing Race Fourteenth Season Region 1 DVD.png
Region 1 DVD cover
Presented by Phil Keoghan
No. of teams11
WinnerTammy & Victor Jih
No. of legs12
Distance traveled40,000 mi (64,000 km)
No. of episodes12
Release
Original network CBS
Original releaseFebruary 15 (2009-2-15) 
May 10, 2009 (2009-5-10)
Additional information
Filming datesOctober 31 (2008-10-31) [1]  
November 21, 2008 (2008-11-21) [2]
Season chronology
 Previous
Season 13
Next 
Season 15
List of episodes

The Amazing Race 14 is the fourteenth season of the American reality competition show The Amazing Race . Hosted by Phil Keoghan, it featured eleven teams of two, each with a pre-existing relationship, competing in a race around the world in order to win US$1,000,000. This season visited three continents and nine countries and traveled over 40,000 miles (64,000 km). Starting in Los Alamitos, California, racers traveled through Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Romania, Russia, India, Thailand, and China before returning to the United States and finishing in Maui. New twists introduced in this season include the Blind U-Turn, which a team could use anonymously, and the no-rest leg, where teams immediately began the subsequent leg after finishing the previous leg. The season premiered on CBS on February 15, 2009, and the season finale aired on May 10, 2009.

Siblings Tammy and Victor Jih were the winners of this season, while former cheerleaders Jaime Edmondson and Cara Rosenthal finished in second place, and mother and son Margie and Luke Adams finished in third place.

Production

Development and filming

Teams were brought to the season's starting line at Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base in California by Seahawks. HSL-47 Flyoff.jpg
Teams were brought to the season's starting line at Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base in California by Seahawks.

The Amazing Race 14 lasted for 22 days and traveled over 40,000 miles (64,000 km). The teams raced in nine countries, including Romania and the Russian region of Siberia for the first time. In an interview, executive producer Bertram van Munster revealed that the teams took a 13-hour train ride on the Trans-Siberian Railway and got into a Siberian snowstorm with below-zero temperatures. [2] [3] He also revealed that the teams suffered extreme climates, intense Roadblocks, and less time in airports, which added up to an exhausting course for the racers. In addition, CBS revealed the season included the world's second tallest bungee jump, suffocating heat in India, and an Olympic-themed challenge that left the teams "gasping for air." [4]

The show's route map was updated via Google Earth, and according to van Munster prior to the show's debut, the season included new graphics, a new opening sequence, and a tuneup in the musical score, [3] as well as the use of a split screen to show several scenes at the same time.

Season 14 introduced a new twist to the U-Turn: the Blind U-Turn, in which a team could use it anonymously; other U-Turns required teams to acknowledge their use to subsequent teams.

The double-length legs format previously used from season 6 to season 10 were changed in this season to legs without a mandatory rest period between them. The first team to check in was still awarded a prize, but the last team to check in was not eliminated and did not have to perform a Speed Bump. However, this double-length leg was the first where it was revealed to the teams at a location that was explicitly called a Pit Stop, but teams were not warned of an elimination in the clue. After checking in, teams were told "this leg of the race is not over" and were given a clue by Phil Keoghan to continue racing. [5]

Contestants

Mel white christmas.jpg
Mike White in 2011.jpg
Margaret and Luke Adams (cropped).jpg
Jaime Faith Edmondson 2011.jpg
Tammy Jih.jpg
From left to right: Mel White, Mike White, Margie Adams, Luke Adams, Jaime Edmondson, and Tammy Jih

Luke Adams, was the first deaf contestant in the American series and relied on his mother to communicate in the competition. [6] Margie & Luke had originally applied to be on The Amazing Race: Family Edition (along with two other family members), but ended up being one of the last families cut. [7] Mike White had originally been chosen to participate on The Amazing Race 13 with director Jon Kasdan, but the latter dropped out before filming. The show's casting director wanted White for season 14 and he was ultimately paired with his father. [8]

After this season, Jodi Wincheski began working as a casting producer for both The Amazing Race and Survivor . [9]

ContestantsAgeRelationshipHometownStatus
Preston McCamy28Dating Columbia, South Carolina Eliminated 1st
(in Stechelberg, Switzerland)
Jennifer Hopka26
Steve Cole43Married Martinsville, Virginia Eliminated 2nd
(in Salzburg, Austria)
Linda Cole52
Brad Hunt52Married Columbus, Ohio Eliminated 3rd
(in Bran, Romania)
Victoria Hunt47
Amanda Blackledge23Dating San Diego, California Eliminated 4th
(in Krasnoyarsk, Russia)
Kris Klicka24
Christie Volkmer37Flight Attendants Choctaw, Oklahoma Eliminated 5th
(in Jaipur, India)
Jodi Wincheski40 Houston, Texas
Mel White 68Father & Son Lynchburg, Virginia Eliminated 6th
(in Phuket, Thailand)
Mike White 38 Santa Monica, California
Mark Munoz48Brothers & Stuntmen Los Angeles, California Eliminated 7th
(in Guilin, China)
Michael Munoz51 Maui, Hawaii
Kisha Hoffman28Sisters The Bronx, New York Eliminated 8th
(in Beijing, China)
Jen Hoffman24 Louisville, Kentucky
Margie Adams50Mother & Son Denver, Colorado Third place
Luke Adams22
Jaime Edmondson 29Former NFL Cheerleaders Fort Lauderdale, Florida Runners-up
Cara Rosenthal26 Boca Raton, Florida
Tammy Jih26Siblings & Lawyers San Francisco, California Winners
Victor Jih35 Los Angeles, California
Future appearances

Amanda & Kris, Mel & Mike, Kisha & Jen, Margie & Luke, and Jaime & Cara raced again in The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business . [10] Margie & Luke also competed in the second All-Star edition. [11]

Outside of The Amazing Race, Jaime Edmondson appeared on The Girls Next Door and The Girls Next Door: The Bunny House . [12] [13] Victoria Hunt appeared on the TLC reality show Extreme Cheapskates in 2012. [14] Mike White later competed on Survivor: David vs. Goliath . [15]

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 11 12
Tammy & Victor2nd1st8th3rd2nd1st1st3rd2nd3rd1st [a] 1st
Jaime & Cara7th6th7th5th3rd5th2nd2nd4th1st3rd2nd
Margie & Luke1st4th4th4th [b] 1st4th4th1st3rd2nd2nd3rd
Kisha & Jen8th7th3rd2nd6th3rd5th4th [c] 1st4th [d] 4th [a]
Mark & Michael3rd8th5th7th5th6th3rd [e] 5th [f] 5th
Mel & Mike4th2nd1st6th4th2nd6th
Christie & Jodi10th9th6th1st7th7th
Amanda & Kris5th3rd2nd8th [b]
Brad & Victoria6th5th9th
Steve & Linda9th10th
Preston & Jennifer11th
Notes
  1. 1 2 Tammy & Victor chose to use the U-Turn on Kisha & Jen.
  2. 1 2 Margie & Luke chose to use the U-Turn on Amanda & Kris.
  3. Kisha & Jen initially arrived 3rd, but could not check in because they had left their travel documents and money at the Roadblock. They had to retrieve them before they could check in. Tammy & Victor checked in during this time, dropping Kisha & Jen to 4th.
  4. This team arrived last at the Pit Stop, but they were instructed to continue racing.
  5. Mark & Michael initially arrived 1st, but were issued two 30-minute penalties: one for intentionally tampering with the bike pumps at the Detour and the other for hiring a taxi to guide them through the task, which was explicitly prohibited in the clue. Tammy & Victor and Jaime & Cara checked in during this penalty time, dropping Mark & Michael to 3rd.
  6. Mark & Michael initially arrived 4th, but were issued two 2-hour penalties, both for "using personal belongings to settle a bill." Kisha & Jen checked in during this penalty time, dropping them to last.

Race summary

The route of The Amazing Race 14. The Amazing Race 14 map.png
The route of The Amazing Race 14.
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 Detour    Roadblock icon.svg Roadblock    U-Turn icon.svg U-Turn    Speed Bump icon.svg Speed Bump    TAR-pitstop-icon.png Pit Stop

Leg 1 (United States → Switzerland)

While in Switzerland, teams traveled to the Verzasca Dam near Locarno and performed the second-highest bungee jump in the world. BarrageDeContra.JPG
While in Switzerland, teams traveled to the Verzasca Dam near Locarno and performed the second-highest bungee jump in the world.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional notes

Leg 2 (Switzerland → Germany → Austria)

While in Germany, teams visited the lake town of Schonau am Konigsee deep in the Bavarian Alps. St.Bartholoma.jpg
While in Germany, teams visited the lake town of Schönau am Königsee deep in the Bavarian Alps.
Locations
Episode summary

Leg 3 (Austria → Germany → Romania)

Teams ended the leg in the shadow of Bran Castle in Transylvania, the fabled home of Dracula. Bran Castle TB1.jpg
Teams ended the leg in the shadow of Bran Castle in Transylvania, the fabled home of Dracula.
Locations
Episode summary

Leg 4 (Romania → Russia)

After arriving in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, teams had to figure out that their next destination was the Krasnoyarsk Hydroelectric Dam. KrasnoyarskDam.jpg
After arriving in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, teams had to figure out that their next destination was the Krasnoyarsk Hydroelectric Dam.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 5 (Russia)

The Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre in the city of Novosibirsk was the fifth Pit Stop. Teatr opery i baleta, g. Novosibirsk.jpg
The Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre in the city of Novosibirsk was the fifth Pit Stop.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 6 (Russia → India)

One of the Detour choices in Jaipur had teams transporting hay alongside its city wall, including the Zorawar Singh Gate. Jaipur 03-2016 13 Jorawar Singh Gate.jpg
One of the Detour choices in Jaipur had teams transporting hay alongside its city wall, including the Zorawar Singh Gate.
Locations
Episode summary

Leg 7 (India → Thailand)

At the Phuket Zoo, teams had to participate in an elephant show. Asian elephant trunk.jpg
At the Phuket Zoo, teams had to participate in an elephant show.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 8 (Thailand)

Teams traveled along Bangkok's series of canals using traditional Thai long-tail boats in this leg. Longtail boat (8285781332).jpg
Teams traveled along Bangkok's series of canals using traditional Thai long-tail boats in this leg.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 9 (Thailand → China)

The Roadblock in Guilin introduced teams to the traditional Chinese method of cormorant fishing on the Li River. Yangshuo, Guilin, Guangxi, China - panoramio (28).jpg
The Roadblock in Guilin introduced teams to the traditional Chinese method of cormorant fishing on the Li River.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 10 (China)

In Beijing, the host city of the 2008 Summer Olympics, teams compete in a swimming Detour inspired by Michael Phelps. Phelps4x100.jpg
In Beijing, the host city of the 2008 Summer Olympics, teams compete in a swimming Detour inspired by Michael Phelps.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 11 (China)

The Beijing National Stadium, which had been the main venue of the Olympics, served as the Pit Stop on the penultimate leg of the Race. Beijing National Stadium 2008 Summer Paralympics.jpg
The Beijing National Stadium, which had been the main venue of the Olympics, served as the Pit Stop on the penultimate leg of the Race.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 12 (China → United States)

While in Maui, teams prepared pua`a kalua: a pig roasted in the traditional kalua method. Roasted puaa.jpg
While in Maui, teams prepared puaʻa kālua: a pig roasted in the traditional kālua method.
Locations
Episode summary
LegPictureSourceNation
1 Saint Christopher Clue at Church of Sant'AntonioSwitzerland
2 Ruhpolding Gondola Gondola Ride to Rauschberg Germany
3GymnastGymnastics Roadblock TaskRomania
4 10 Ruble Banknote Krasnoyarsk Dam Russia
5 Lada Automobile Novosibirsk Lada
6 Nose Flutist Jaipur Pit Stop GreeterIndia
7Esso the Tiger Phuket Zoo TaskThailand
8 Long-Tail Boat Boat Riding in Bangkok
9 Cormorant Guilin Cormorant Roadblock TaskChina
10 Reflexology Foot Chart Beijing Foot Massage Roadblock Task
11Skewered ScorpionsBeijing Delicacies Roadblock Task

Elimination Station

After elimination, the first six teams eliminated were sequestered at a villa in Ko Samui, Thailand, to await the finale. CBS posted short videos on its website after each episode aired in the Pacific time zone to show the eliminated teams interacting at the villa.

Reception

Critical response

The Amazing Race 14 received mixed-to-positive reviews. Andy Dehnart of reality blurred praised the reduction of time in airport, the cast, and improvements in editing and said that the season finished with "a strong end to an even stronger season." [18] [19] Michael Hewitt of the Orange County Register wrote that the season was "another excellent edition of 'The Amazing Race.'" [20] Michael Russnow of The Huffington Post criticized this season's route as the show "didn’t travel in as diversified a fashion, and wherever the teams wound up they stayed in the immediate region a lot longer than in earlier years." [21] Alan Sepinwall of The Star-Ledger wrote that his "interest in the season dropped rapidly after Mel and Mike were eliminated" and that he "lacked either an emotional investment in another team or an admiration for them as pure Racers." [22] In 2016, this season was ranked 12th out of the first 27 seasons by the Rob Has a Podcast Amazing Race correspondents. [23] In 2021, Val Barone of TheThings ranked this season as the show's 9th best season. [24] In 2022, Jason Shomer of Collider ranked this season among the show's top seven seasons. [25] In 2023, Rhenn Taguiam of Game Rant ranked this season as the fifteenth-best season. [26] In 2024, Taguiam's ranking was updated with this season ranked 18th out of 36. [27]

Ratings

U.S. Nielsen ratings
#EpisodeRatingShare Rating/Share
(18-49)
Viewers
(millions)
Rank
(Overall)
1"Don't Let A Cheese Hit Me"5.492.6/7 [28] 9.20#27
2"Your Target Is Your Partner's Face"4.47 [29] 2.6/6 [29] 7.81 [29] #34
3"I'm Not Wearing That Girl's Leotard"6.6113.0/8 [30] 10.60#18
4"It Was Like a Caravan of Idiots"6.1103.1/810.13#28
5"She's a Little Scared of Stick, But I Think She’ll Be OK!"5.9103.1/810.33#26
6"Alright Guys, We're at War!"7.2113.6/912.42 [31] #15
7"Gorilla? Gorilla?? Gorilla???"7.1113.7/911.99#12
8"Rooting Around in People's Mouths Could Be Unpleasant"6.2103.1/8 [32] 10.57#18
9"Our Parents Will Cry Themselves to Death"6.1103.0/810.30#20
10"Having a Baby's Gotta Be Easier Than This"6.0103.2/910.27#17
11"No More Mr. Nice Guy"6.893.2/910.84#20
12"This is How You Lose a Million Dollars"7.6103.1/912.49#19
Canadian ratings
#EpisodeViewers
(millions)
Rank
(Overall)
1"Don't Let A Cheese Hit Me"1.96 [33] #5 [33]
2"Your Target Is Your Partner's Face"1.45 [34] #15 [34]
3"I'm Not Wearing That Girl's Leotard"2.00#4
4"It Was Like a Caravan of Idiots"2.01#4
5"She's a Little Scared of Stick, But I Think She’ll Be OK!"1.89#8
6"Alright Guys, We're at War!"1.94#5
7"Gorilla? Gorilla?? Gorilla???"1.88#5
8"Rooting Around in People's Mouths Could Be Unpleasant"1.56#10
9"Our Parents Will Cry Themselves to Death"2.07#6
10"Having a Baby's Gotta Be Easier Than This"2.18#2
11"No More Mr. Nice Guy"1.99#5
12"This is How You Lose a Million Dollars"2.17#4

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