The Amazing Race 9

Development and filming

The Amazing Race 9 lasted 27 days during which participants traveled over 59,000 miles (95,000 km). Filming ran from November 7 to December 3, 2005. The race visited ten countries on five continents, three of which were new to the race: – Greece, Japan and Oman. Also included as race destinations were Australia, Brazil, Germany, Italy (Sicily), Russia and Thailand. This season of the Race had the second longest course; The Amazing Race 5 was the longest to date.

This season of the race was the first (and to date, the only) one to start and end at the same location: Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the world-famous outdoor concert venue outside Denver. Other seasons have started and ended in the same city (Season 1 in New York City and Season 6 in Chicago), but the location of the start and finish lines were different.

This was the first season in which the teams had to drive themselves at least once in every leg.

Due to scheduling conflicts filming the season finale, runners-up Eric and Jeremy were unable to attend the premiere of The Da Vinci Code at the Cannes Film Festival, which was their prize for securing first place in Leg 6. They later announced that CBS had given them a different prize as compensation.

Cast

Applications for The Amazing Race 9 were closed on July 26, 2005 (a day after the original deadline). Semi-finalist interviews were held sometime in September, 2005; final casting interviews took place in October, 2005.

Following the Family Edition experiment of Season 8, which featured teams of four family members racing in the United States and Central America, this season returned to the traditional format of eleven teams of two competing in a race around the world. The teams included hippie best friends, a couple married for 40 years, and sisters living in different states.

John Lowe was painting his Chicken Paintings (folk art rooster paintings) and is known as J.Lowe, The Chicken Painter.

At The Finish Line, Eric announced that he was dating Danielle and had planned to move to New York to be closer to her. Eric and Danielle were also selected to race in The Amazing Race All-Stars among a cast of returning teams from seasons 1-10. Following the All-Stars race, Eric and Danielle said in a post-race interview that they are no longer dating due to distance and are now just friends. Danielle married in 2011 and is now a mother of two young daughters, born in 2009 and 2012.

Ray proposed to Yolanda on The Early Show the morning after the season finale. While it was a total shock to her, Yolanda enthusiastically accepted. This episode also previews their full progress on the final leg of The Amazing Race, including Yolanda's progress on the roadblock.

Joseph and Monica got married a few years after the race ended, but it ended in divorce. Monica remarried Green Bay Packers long snapper Brett Goode.

Awards

On August 27 2006, Season 9 won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program, the fourth consecutive award for the series. Producers nominated this season instead of the critically lambasted Family Edition, which was also eligible for the award.

Results

The following teams participated in the Race, each listed along with their placements in each leg and relationships as identified by the program. Note that this table is not necessarily reflective of all of the content broadcast on television, owing to the inclusion or exclusion of some data. Placements are listed in finishing order:

Episode title quotes

Episode titles are often taken from quotes made by the racers.

1. "Here We Go, Baby, Off to Win a Million Bucks!" – John
2. "I'm Filthy And I Love It" – Monica
3. "I'm In Russia Playing With Dolls" – Jeremy
4. "It's Not Over Until The Phil Sings" – Tyler
5. "Good Thing I Took That Human Anatomy Class in High School" – Tyler
6. "Sleep Deprivation Is Really Starting to Irritate Me" – Lake
7. "Herculean Effort for Some Herculean Dudes" – Tyler
8. "Here Comes The Bedouin" – Fran
9. "Do You Know How Much Running I Did Today, Phil?" – Jeremy
10. "Man, They Should Have Used Their Fake Names" – Eric
11. "I Think This Monkey Likes Me" – Eric
12. "5 Continents, 9 Countries, More Than 59,000 Miles" – Phil Keoghan

Prizes

Individual prizes were awarded to the first team to complete a leg unless otherwise noted.

Leg 1 (United States → Brazil)

Airdate: February 28, 2006

At the start of The Amazing Race 9 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Red Rocks Park near Denver, teams climbed the steps of the amphitheatre to retrieve their first clue and learned of their first destination city: São Paulo, Brazil. Teams had to drive to Denver International Airport to take one of the three flights to São Paulo leaving at 1:25 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:31 p.m.

Upon arriving in São Paulo, they made their way to the rooftop of Hotel Unique and found their next clue, sending them to Viaduto Santa Efigênia to locate the next clue. On the bridge was the first Detour, a choice between Motor Head or Rotor Head. In Motor Head, teams had to travel to a motorcycle shop named Caverna Moto Peças and assemble a motorcycle using the parts provided with a finished model for reference. When the motorcycle is properly assembled, and the mechanic could start the bike, the team would receive their next clue. In Rotor Head, teams had to travel to Campo de Marte Airport where they had to use a flight directory to locate one of three buildings from a helicopter; each location varied in distance with only a limited number of tickets provided for each. The options were: Edifício São Luís Gonzaga (Portuguese) (2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi)), Atrium V (5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi)) and Hotel Meliá (6 nautical miles (11 km; 6.9 mi)). Once they found their destination, the pilot would land the helicopter on the rooftop of that building to search the designated area for their next clue.

After the Detour, teams were instructed to travel to the district of Santa Cecilia to find the sanctuary at 114A Rua Federico Abranches for their next clue. At the Sanctuary, teams had to light a white candle and witness a traditional ceremony known as Candomblé to receive their next clue. From there, teams were directed to the Pit Stop at Estádio Municipal Paulo Machado de Carvalho at Portão 23 gate.

Leg 2 (Brazil)

Airdate: March 7, 2006

At the start of the leg, teams made their way at Edificio Copan and found Bloco F where they got their next clue, the Roadblock asking "Who's ready for a fire drill?" One team member had to climb one of three stairwells on the building's fire escape. Once at the top, they would put on a harness and rappel 400 feet (120 m) down the building to receive their next clue. The order which they arrived at the top determined the order of descent.

The clue instructed teams to travel by bus to Brotas where they went to Terminal Rodoviário Barra Funda and found tickets on one of three charter buses going to Brotas: departing 10:15 a.m., 11:15  a.m. or 12:15  p.m. Upon arrival, they chose a Volkswagen Beetle to get their next clue and discovered the Detour, a choice between Press It or Climb It. In Press It, teams had to drive to Camping Bela Vista to process raw sugar cane and distill its juice. Then, teams had to make 500 milliliters of ethanol to fuel their cars as an alternative fuel source. After completing the task, teams poured the newly created ethanol into their cars and the chemist handed them their next clue. In Climb It, teams travelled to Usina Jacaré and hiked to a nearby waterfall. Once there, they climbed 90 feet (27 m) up a waterfall using mechanical ascenders to the top to receive their next clue. The clue instructed teams to head to the Fazenda Primavera da Serra for the Pit Stop.

Leg 3 (Brazil → Russia → Germany)

Airdate: March 14, 2006

At the start of the leg, teams had to head to a marked entrance near kilometer 114 Highway SP-225, take a 300 feet (91 m) zipline from the top of the hill to the bottom before getting the next clue. The clue instructed teams to travel to Moscow, Russia. Upon departing, they drove to Brotas Bus Depot and picked a ticket for a departure time to São Paulo's Guarulhos International Airport within forty-five minutes apart.

When the teams arrived in Moscow, they made their way to Chaika Bassein and searched for the next clue inside the hall where they found the Roadblock, asking "Who wants to take the plunge?" One team member had to put on a bathing suit and dive off a 10 metres (33 ft) diving platform into the pool below. Once they took the plunge, they had to swim to retrieve the next clue.

The clue directed teams to Novodevichiy Monastery to find Smolensk Cathedral where they located their next clue: the Detour, giving the choice between Scrub or Scour. In Scrub, teams had travel to a trolley bus depot at 8 Trolley Park to thoroughly wash a Russian public trolley bus inside and out to the satisfaction of the trolley bus attendant. When the bus was cleaned, a bus driver would hand them their next clue. In Scour, teams had travel to Dubrovka Theatre to search among 1,500 pieces of Russian nesting dolls to find one of 10 microscopic clues hidden inside a doll. The clues instructed teams to head to the Pit Stop at St. Basil's Cathedral in famous Red Square. However, Phil gave the teams their next clue and advised the teams the leg was not over.

Airdate: March 21, 2006

After being told to keep racing, teams received the clue and were instructed to fly to Frankfurt, Germany, then take a train to Stuttgart. Upon arrival, they made their way to the flagship Mercedes-Benz headquarters to receive their next clue. There, teams had to choose a Mercedes-Benz vehicle and chose a driver for their thrilling ride on the test course known at the factory as the Wall of Death. After riding the high-speed course at over 170 kilometers per hour (110 miles per hour), they would receive their next clue.

The teams had to drive a car to the town of Bad Tölz and find Ellbach Field to receive the Roadblock clue, asking "Who's ready to reap their reward?" One team member was required to search among 150 hats and feet scattered across a large field for one of eleven hidden Travelocity roaming gnomescontaining the next clue.

The clue had teams drive to Grünwald and find Bavaria Film Studios and get the next clue at the gate. The clue was the Detour and the choice between Break It or Slap It. In Break It, teams broke stunt bottles over each others' heads until they found prost, the German word for cheers written on the back of the label. However, they could only smash one bottle per cuckoo from a traditional German cuckoo clock. In Slap It, teams had to learn a traditional Schuhplattler dance and correctly perform it. When the folk dance was properly completed, the team would get their next clue. The clues directed teams to drive to the city of Munich and park their cars at Leopoldstrasse to find the next Pit Stop, Siegestor.

Leg 4 (Germany → Italy)

Airdate: March 28, 2006

At the start of the leg, teams had to travel to Palermo, on the Italian island of Sicily. Once there, they travelled to Teatro Massimo and searched the grounds for their next clue, which sent them to the town of Castellammare del Golfo to find the Seaside Terrace and their next clue.

The clue was for a Detour and the choice was Foundry or Laundry. In Foundry, teams had to walk a nearby metal works called Premiata Fonderia Birrione Campane at 8 Via Renda to carry a 110-pound (50 kg) iron-cast bell. Then using a vehicle known as Ape, they had to drive the bell, drop-off at Via Don Leonardo Zangara and delivered it to Chiesa Maria SS. Del Soccorso to a priest to get their next clue. In Laundry, teams needed to find Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi to search through over 2,400 items of laundry for one of sixteen items of clothing bearing a red and yellow tag. Once the red and yellow tag was found, a laundry lady gave teams their next clue.

The clues after the Detour instructed teams to travel to the ancient city of Segesta and find the Amphiteater with the Yield board. Lake and Michelle chose to Yield Danielle and Dani, and obtained their next clue. The clue was for the Roadblock and asked, "Who's good at piecing things together?". One team member had to correctly piece together a classical Greek statue, racers were not told that there were two extra pieces that did not belong until they went to an archaeologist to receive their next clue which sent teams by foot to the Pit Stop at the Temple.

Leg 5 (Italy)

Airdate: April 5, 2006

At the start of the leg, teams had to drive to the city of Catania. Once there, they had to find Anfiteatro Romano and search within the ruins of this amphitheater to receive their next clue. At the amphitheater, teams had to count the statue heads on the fence posts surrounding its grounds. Once teams counted the heads they found the groundskeeper. If they were correct, they received their next clue.

The clue was for the Detour, a choice between Big Fish or Little Fish. In Big Fish, teams had to travel by foot to a street vendor in Via Alessi and pick up a 32-kilogram (71 lb) swordfish, then carry it for another sixth of a mile to Il Mercato Storico la Pescheria. At the market, teams had to find Jagino, the fish market vendor, to receive their next clue. In Little Fish, teams had to travel by foot to the same fish market and sell 4 kilograms (8.8 lb) of a small fish known as triglia. After selling the fish, the vendor provided their next clue.

The clue instructed teams to drive to Siracusa and find Ponte Umbertino to search for their next clue, which was the Roadblock asking "Who is well-balanced?". One team member had to participate in a popular Italian sport: kayak polo. They joined a professional team and participated in an ongoing match. When the team member scored one goal, a coach would give them their next clue. The clue directed teams to head to Fonte Aretusa for the Pit Stop.

Leg 6 (Italy → Greece)

Airdate: April 12, 2006

At the start of the leg, teams were instructed to travel by train and ferry to the Italian capital city of Rome. Upon arrival, they had to head to Trevi Fountain and search for a man with a yellow and red scooter to receive their next clue. At the Trevi Fountain, teams received one half of Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man drawing in a Manila envelope and were instructed to travel to the famous Spanish Steps where they found horse carriages and searched for a black leather portfolio to find their next clue. Also they had to find the other half of the drawing for the movie based on The Da Vinci Code.

At the Spanish Steps, with the two images from the Vitruvian Man drawing teams had to crack the code. The first team to arrive at the Pit Stop with the whole drawing won a prize. The clue instructed the teams to travel to Athens, Greece. Upon arrival in Athens, they had to head to the Ancient Agora for the next clue. This clue contained the Fast Forward. Teams had to travel on foot less than a mile to Stamatopoulos Taverna and take part in a traditional Greek method of dispelling mischievous spirits: plate breaking. Teams had to break plates and find a little yellow and red flag that was baked into one plate. Once the team found the flag, they would win the Fast Forward.

Other teams had to take a train from Agioi Anargyroi Railway Station and exit at Isthmos Railway Station in Corinth, not at nearby Corinth Railway Station. Once at the train station, they picked up the clue and discovered it was for a Roadblock, asking "Who wants to hear the sound of their own screams?". One team member had to bungee jump. 240 feet (73 m) into the Corinth Canal organized by the Zulu Bungy Once it was completed they received their next clue from the bungee master.

Teams opened their clue to discover it was for the Ancient Greek-inspired Detour: Herculean Effort or It's All Greek To Me. Both Detours had teams driving to the Ancient Stadium in Nemea. In Herculean Effort, teams had to complete three events from the Ancient Olympic Games. One team had to throw the discus a competitive distance. While the other team had to do the javelin throw the same distance. Finally, both teams had to participate in Greco-Roman wrestling in a 20 feet (6.1 m) circle. When all events are completed, teams received their next clue. In It's All Greek To Me, teams entered an archaeological site to search a specific section for nine pieces of pottery containing Greek letters. Then, they helped to translate from Greek to English letters and unscramble them to spell a location on a Greek map, Dimitsana. The clues instructed teams to travel to the Fortress of Rion in Rio for the Pit Stop.

Leg 7 (Greece → Oman)

Airdate: April 19, 2006

At the Fortress of Rion, teams were given their next clue and instructed to travel to Muscat, Oman. Upon departing, teams had to cross the Rio–Antirrio bridge on foot, go to the visitor center and sign-up for a charter bus to the airport. On arrival, they were told to go to Riyam Park and find the Giant Incense Burner to obtain their next clue.

The clue directed teams to the port city of Sur and a ferry crossing in Baith Al Battha where they received their next clue. This was for a Detour, a choice between Camel or Watchtower. In Camel, teams first had to make their way across the creek on a ferry to opposite bank, where they had to lift a camel into a pickup truck using a winch. Then, they had to use a map to drive 1 mile (1.6 km) to a Bedouin Camp and deliver the camel to obtain their next clue. In Watchtower, teams had to cross the river and search in three watchtowers for an Arabian message box scroll. However, not every watchtower had a scroll. After they found it, they had to travel 1 mile (1.6 km) to a silver shop (Al-Sayegh Gold and Silversmith) to a man called Mubarek to obtain their next clue.

The clue instructed teams to head to the Shuwa Area at Al Hawiyah where they encountered a Roadblock clue asking, "Who's willing to work for food?". One team member had to search and dig any of 117 sand dunes to find one of 6 Omani underground ovens called shuwa. Inside it was a woven pouch with a meal of lamb wrapped in a dried palm leaf bag and steamed in the oven, which they would have for dinner. Once they found the shuwa, the Bedouin would provide their next clue, instructing them to head to the Pit Stop at Jabreen Castle.

Leg 8 (Oman → Australia)

Airdate: April 26, 2006

At the start of the leg, teams were told that their next destination was Perth, Australia, on the coast of the Indian Ocean. Upon arrival, teams had to head to Kings Park War Memorial and Eternal Flame and search the grounds of the monument to obtain their next clue directing them to Fremantle where they had to board a ferry to Rottnest Island. Once there, they picked up a tandem bike and rode themselves from Wadjemup Lighthouse to obtain their next clue.

The clue turned out to be the Detour which took place at Salmon Bay, a choice between Sand or Sea. In Sand, teams had to drag 40 branches 126 yards (115 m) to a marked sand dune, an activity known as "brushing the beach," which helps prevent erosion. Once the pile is completed, teams received their next clue. In Sea, teams had to dive in the waves and searched among 50 underwater crayfish traps on the ocean floor for those with live Western rock lobsters, each team member had to retrieve one rock lobster. Once the lobster crates were given to a fisherman they received their next clue.

The clues teams received at the Detour instructed them to ride the tandem bikes back to the bike shop and travel by ferry back to the mainland. Upon arrival, they headed to Fremantle Prison for their next clue. They soon discovered the Roadblock, asking "Who's ready for a great escape?". One team member had to search a block of Fremantle Prison for one of several cells within Division 4 that contained Duracell Copper-Top batteries and a flashlight. Then they searched for an entrance to a darkened cavern, and descend underground to wet and dry tunnels for the next clue. This clue informed teams to head to the Pit Stop at the South Breakwater at the Fremantle Sailing Club.

Leg 9 (Australia)

Airdate: May 3, 2006

At the Fremantle Sailing Club, teams opened their clues and instructed to head to Swan Bells Tower in Perth and where they had to climb to find their next clue inside at the top of the building. The clue informed teams to travel to the city of Darwin. Upon arrival, they must pick up a marked Mercedes-Benz vehicle and head to Crocodylus Park where they had to wade into a pond full of crocodiles to retrieve their next clue above.

The clue teams instructed to head to the town of Batchelor and find Batchelor Airstrip where they searched Darwin Parachute Club with their next clue and the upcoming Yield board. Due to a confrontation with the male teams alliance, BJ & Tyler had to choose Yield Joseph & Monica. The clue was encountered with the Roadblock, asking "Who's willing to take the fall for their team?". One team member had to choose a plane with an altitude of 12,000 feet (3,700 m) tandem skydive. The instructor hands over to get their next clue.

The clue received after the Roadblock sending teams to Litchfield National Park and find Magnetic Termite Mounds with their next clue, the Detour and the choice between Wet or Dry. In Wet, teams drove 6 miles (9.7 km) to a swimming hole called Buley Rockhole, then hiked and swam 1 mile (1.6 km) down a river infested with "spiders and poisonous plants". When they complete the trek and had to receive their next clue. In Dry, teams drove 6 miles (9.7 km) on-road, then another 6 miles (9.7 km) off-road to a rock formation known as The Lost City. Once there, teams had to select a didgeridoo and following the sound of music in the air, locate a nearby Aborigine. Then, they had to find an Aboriginal musician with a matching didgeridoo and each team member had to play a note to receive the next clue. The clue teams instructed to drive to Lake Bennett Wilderness Resort in Darwin for the Pit Stop.

Leg 10 (Australia → Thailand)

Airdate: May 10, 2006

At the start of the leg, teams had to travel to their next destination city: Bangkok, Thailand. Upon arrival, they had to travel to Mo Chit Bus Terminal and take a bus to Lopburi. Once there, teams made their way to Prang Sam Yot to find their next clue.

The clue contained an extra envelope that informed teams it was not to be opened until the Pit Stop. The clue also contained a Fast Forward: a team traveled to a town outside of Lopburi to try a favorite local after-school activity at a nearby restaurant, eating a bowl of fried Crickets and grasshoppers. When they finished, that team would win the Fast Forward. The clue also contained a Roadblock where teams were asked "Who's ready for some monkey business?" Using a nearby example, one team member had to assemble a properly-carved and arranged fruit ceremonial feast for monkeys at the temple and give it to them during an annual festival. When it wis finished and offered to the monkeys, they obtained their next clue.

The clue instructed teams to travel to Pak Kret and take a ferry to Ko Kret. Once there, they were told to head to the Buddha Garden and search it for the clue. This Detour was a choice between Move It or Altar It. In Move It, teams made their way on foot to Jom Jam Pottery Factory to transport 72 clay pots through the streets of a market to a docked boat. Teams had to carry these clay pots on wooden boards balanced on their shoulders. When they completed the task, a merchant gave them their next clue. In Altar It, teams made their way by foot to Wat Chimphi temple and made a shrine. They assembled a shrine then apply gold leaf to a statue of Buddha. When they finished, teams received their next clue. The clue instructed them to travel to the Pit Stop at the Marble Temple in Bangkok.

Leg 11 (Thailand → Japan)

Airdate: May 17, 2006

At the start of the leg, teams had to travel to Ayutthaya Province and make their way to Royal Elephant Kraal. Once there, teams received T-Mobile Sidekicks from the elephants that displayed their next clue. The clue instructed teams to travel to Tokyo, Japan. Upon arriving, teams made their way to the parking lot at the Hotel Nikko and searched for the marked car. Then, they drove themselves to Shibuya and parked at the Sakamoto Building. They then walked to a Scramble Crossing and scanned the big flashing screens to find their next clue "Find Hachiko!". They had to figure out that the namesake dog is a statue where the next clue is located.

This clue was the Detour and a choice between Maiden or Messenger. In Maiden, teams travelled to Hamarikyu Gardens and used a traditional Japanese palanquin to transport a young Japanese woman ¹⁄₃ mile (540 m) to a tea ceremony pavilion. Then they received their next clue. In Messenger, teams traveled by foot 200 yards (180 m) to a parking lot where they picked-up a pair of foldable bicycles and messenger bags each containing a parcel. Then they assembled their bikes, rode them through the streets of Tokyo and delivered the packages to Shinjuku Park Tower and Shinjuku Chuo Koen buildings in Shinjuku. When the deliveries were done, teams returned to the bike parking lot to receive their next clue. The clue instructed teams to Capsule Land Hotel where teams got one of three departure times and stayed overnight.

The next day, teams received their clues and drove their cars nearly 80 miles (130 km) to Fujikyu Highland in Fujiyoshida where they received the next clue - the Roadblock asking "Who's ready to coast through their day?" One team member had to ride on three extreme rides in the following order: The Pizza, Dodonpa, and Fujiyama. While riding, they had to spot a man holding a message somewhere along one of the rides. Upon completion of their third ride, they had to tell the park manager what message they saw to receive their next clue. If they did not see the sign they would have to go on all three rides again. The clue sent teams to Lake Yamanaka where they had to take the swan boat and paddle out to the Pit Stop.

Leg 12 (Japan → United States)

Airdate: May 17, 2006

At the start of the leg, teams were informed they were to travel to Anchorage, Alaska. Upon arrival, they choose a marked car where they found their next clue. They were told to drive to Mirror Lake for the next clue - the Detour and a choice between Drill It or Deliver It. In Drill It, teams had to drill 10 holes in the ice, push an ice fishing shack to their holes, and properly position the shack over at least two of the holes. Once completed, the ice fisherman would hand them their next clue. In Deliver It, teams had to load a bush plane with medical supplies, fly with a pilot over 75 miles (121 km) to Girdwood to deliver the supplies, receive their next clue and fly back.

The clues instructed teams to travel to Kincaid Park where they had to search the park's chalet for snowshoes and hike to their next clue using the directions provided. Teams were then off to their final destination city: Denver, Colorado. Upon arriving in Denver, teams made their way to Clear Creek History Park in Golden and searched the grounds to obtain their next clue.

The clue instructed teams to "Go Back to Where You Started": Red Rocks Park, their final destination. There they had to search for the next clue, the Roadblock asking "Who remembers the most on the places you've been?" One team member had to retrieve one of 285 flags for each foreign country they visited during the race and place the flags in the order in which they visited each country. Teams had a reference board with the flags of each destination country with extra flags. Their teammate could guide them but not physically assist. After finishing the Roadblock, teams ran to the Finish Line.