The Amazing Race en Discovery Channel 1

Development and Filming

Discovery Channel greenlit the first installment on November 2008.

Filming lasted for 23 days and covered nearly 14,600 km (9,100 mi). The first season spanned nine countries in two continents. This season marked a first time visit by any race franchise outside of the American edition to visit North America. Among them, 7 have been visited by the original American version, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama and Peru. Colombia and the Dominican Republic have never been visited in the American version.

The route markers in this season were colored blue and black, including the clue envelopes and the Pit Stop. Also different from other editions is the fact that the opening shows the teams' country of origin.

There were only two teams present at the Finish Line in Mexico; specifically the Mexican teams (Casilda & Casilda and Guillermo & Gabriel).

Cast

Applications were accepted from 17 November 2008 to 31 January 2009.

This season counted with eleven teams from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela. The cast includes the first team in the history of the franchise composed of a Godfather and a Godson; a homosexual Dating Couple; and also a team of Non-identical twins.

Results

The following teams participated in the Race, with their relationships at the time of filming. Placements are listed in finishing order:

A red team placement indicates that the team was eliminated.

A green ƒ and team placement indicates that the team won a Fast Forward clue.

An underlined blue team placement indicates that the team came in last on a non-elimination leg and had to perform a Speed Bump in the next leg of the race.

A yellow > indicates that the team chose to use the Yield; < indicates the team who received it; <> around a leg number indicates that the Yield for that leg was available but not used.

A brown ⊃ indicates that the team chose to use a U-Turn; ⊂ indicates the team who received it.

Italicized results indicate the position of the team at the midpoint of a two-episode leg.

Prizes

The prize for each leg is awarded to the first place team for that leg.

Leg 1 – $200 Credit Card issued by Visa for each team member.

Leg 2 – $200 Credit Card issued by Visa for each team member.

Leg 3 – $300 Credit Card issued by Visa for each team member.

Leg 4 – $300 Credit Card issued by Visa and a Nintendo DSi for each team member.

Leg 5 – $300 Credit Card issued by Visa and a Wii for each team member.

Leg 6 – $400 Credit Card issued by Visa and a Palm Treo Pro for each team member.

Leg 7 – $400 Credit Card issued by Visa and a Wii for each team member.

Leg 8 – $500 Credit Card issued by Visa and a Palm Treo Pro for each team member.

Leg 9 – $600 Credit Card issued by Visa and a Nintendo DSi for each team member.

Leg 10 – $800 Credit Card issued by Visa and a Palm Treo Pro for each team member.

Leg 11 – $1000 Credit Card issued by Visa and a Palm Treo Pro for each team member and a stay of 7 nights at The Fairmont Mayakoba Hotel & Spa located at the Riviera Maya, Mexico with a spa treatment.

Leg 12.1 – 2 tickets courtesy of Mexicana Airlines, 7 nights in the State of Yucatán (2 Nights at Hotel Mayaland Resort, Chichen Itza + 3 nights at the Hacienda Xcanatún, Mérida + 2 nights at Hotel Lodge Uxmal, Uxmal).

Leg 12.2 – $250,000

Leg 1 (Brazil)

Airdate: September 20, 2009

Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil (Parque Nacional do Iguaçu – Mirante Garganta do Diabo) (Starting Line)

Foz do Iguaçu (Parque Nacional do Iguaçu – Garganta do Diabo Falls (Portuguese))

Foz do Iguaçu (Parque Nacional do Iguaçu – Cânion Iguaçu)

Foz do Iguaçu (Foz do Iguaçu International Airport) to Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul (Salgado Filho International Airport)

Porto Alegre (Hotel Deville) (Overnight Rest)

Gramado (Portico Taquara)

Gramado (Lago Negro or Aldeia Do Papai Noel)

Gramado (Mini Mundo)

Gramado (Hotel Ritta Höppner)

The Detour in this leg was Flores (Flowers) and Árbol (Tree). In Flores, teams made their way to Lago Negro. Once there, teams had to take a swan boat out and paddle to the other shore to pick up a basket of flowers from a villager. Then they had to go back to the dock and give the basket to a female villager to receive their next clue. In Árbol, teams made their way to the Aldeia Do Papai Noel. Once in the village, teams searched in the "Arvore dos desejos" for a "Mimo" with their names written on it, which they had to give to a Goblin in order to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

In Garganta do Diabo Falls, teams were instructed to find their bikes in Espaço Naipi and then ride to Mirante 2. There, they had to walk to the Canion Iguaçu entrance. In the entrance was the cluebox with their next clue.

In Canion Iguaçu, teams had to rappel down to the Iguaçu River shore. At the shore, teams needed to raft 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) down the river to Puerto Macuco dock. The cluebox with their next clue was waiting at the dock.

In Mini Mundo, teams had to find five characters that were hidden in some models of the park. They needed to match the characters with the places where they were hiding. After they were approved, teams received their next clue.

Leg 2 (Brazil → Argentina)

Airdate: September 27, 2009

Porto Alegre (Estádio Olímpico Monumental)

Porto Alegre (Salgado Filho International Airport) to Buenos Aires, Argentina (Ministro Pistarini International Airport)

Caballito (Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales)

San Isidro (Centro de Entrenamiento Jockey Club) (Overnight Rest)

Palermo (Zoológico de Buenos Aires)

Recoleta (Floralis Generica – Plaza de las Naciones Unidas (Spanish))

In the Leg's Roadblock, one team member had to search a bag with a goalkeeper's clothing inside; once wearing the clothing, the person had to defend a penalty kick. If they didn't defend a penalty kick in 5 minutes, they had to let another team try to complete the task. In the Speed Bump, Ariel & Nora had to take a van and deliver 5 packs of papers to some newsstands. The Detour was a choice between Caballos (Horses) and Caballerizas (Stables). In Caballos, teams had to ride by horse in the Arena and pick up two flags. Once they gave the flags to the handler, they received their next clue. In Caballerizas, teams had to clean a stable completely and take the mess in a wheelbarrow to the fertilizer's reservoir. When completed, the handler gave them their next clue.

Additional tasks

In the Argentine Museum of Natural Sciences, the teams had to assemble a tyrannosaurus rex in scale, then take it to the paleontologist who would review it. If it was properly built, the paleontologist would give them the next clue.

After leaving the Jockey Club, teams had to rent a "remise" to go to the Buenos Aires Zoo, where they would find a human statue. After giving it some money, they received the next clue.

Leg 3 (Argentina)

Airdate: October 4, 2009

Buenos Aires (Jorge Newbery Airport) to Mendoza (Francisco Gabrielli International Airport)

Mendoza (Parque San Martin)

Mendoza (Monumento al Ejército de los Andes (Spanish))

Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo (Bodega Ruca Malén)

Villa Potrerillos (Rotonda)

Puente del Inca Village (Feria de Puente del Inca)

Mendoza province (Aconcagua Provincial Park – Mirador Aconcagua)

In the Fast Forward, teams had to put in order 1,000 toy soldiers and make 25 rows with 40 soldiers in each; once completed, that team would win the Fast Forward. In the Leg's Roadblock, one team member had to search in a vineyard for a box with wine bottles inside. They had to take 18 bottles, label them, and put in their boxes; when finished, they would receive their next clue. The Detour was a choice between Aire (Air) and Piedra (Stone). In Aire teams had to do a zipline. In Piedra teams received a stone with a copy of a rock drawing, then had to search for that drawing on the hill and show it to the Shaman to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

In Feria de Puente del Inca, teams had to write two letters with 50 words to their families; once finished the postman gave their next clue.

Leg 4 (Argentina → Chile)

Airdate: October 11, 2009

Santiago, Chile (Baquedano Metro Station - Bibliometro Bookstore (Spanish))

Santiago (Baquedano Metro Station) to (Pajaritos Metro Station)

Santiago (Pajaritos Bus Station) to Valparaíso (Terminal Rodoviario de Valparaíso)

Valparaíso (Ascensor Concepción)

Valparaíso (Paseo Atkinson)

Valparaíso (Muelle Prat)

Valparaíso (Muelle Barón)

Valparaíso (Caleta Portales (Spanish))

Valparaíso (Terminal Rodoviario de Valparaíso) to Santiago (Pajaritos Bus Station)

Santiago (Palacio de la Moneda)

In the Leg's Roadblock, one team member had to jump from a platform into the Pacific Ocean. Then, he or she had to swim 30 meters below the platform; once finished, the instructor would give them the next clue. The Detour was a choice between Mariscos (Seafood) and Carnada (Bait). In Mariscos, teams had to eat an entire plate of Mariscal Frio. oOnce finished, they would receive the next clue. In Carnada, teams had to place bait onto 100 fish hooks. Once finished, they would receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

In Baquedano Metro Station, teams had to find the Bibliometro Bookstore; then they had to ask for a copy of the book "Historia de la vida privada en Chile, Volume 2" to receive their next clue.

Once in Valparaiso, teams had to find the site from the book cover, Paseo Atkinson. Once in that place, they needed to find a girl identical to the one on the book cover in order to receive their next clue.

In Muelle Prat, teams had to travel by boat to the Muelle Barón to receive their next clue.

In Caleta Portales, teams had to find an impersonator of Diego Maradona to receive their next clue.

Leg 5 (Chile → Peru)

Airdate: October 18, 2009

Santiago (Museo Interactivo Mirador (Spanish))

Santiago (Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport) to Lima, Peru (Jorge Chávez International Airport)

Lima (Faro de la Marina)

Lima (Makaja Beach)

Lima (Chinatown)

Lima (Catacumbas del Convento de San Francisco de Asís)

Lima (Parque de La Reserva)

In the Leg's Roadblock, one team member had to make a big bubble, drive a robot and transport two stones, then in a Gyroscope they had to read out loud a famous phrase; once finished the instructor gave them their next clue. The Detour in this leg was Dulce (Sweet) and Salado (Salted). In Dulce, teams had to buy a packet of good luck cookies and look for a cookie with a message inside. Then they had to find that message in the sidewalk quarries. When they found it, they had to show it to the Chinese master to receive their next clue. In Salado, teams had to go to a Chinese-Peruvian restaurant called 'Chifa' and cut two ducks, hack 6 pounds of onion and ten heads of garlic, following an exotic recipe. Once finished, the cook gave the next clue.

Additional tasks

In Makaja Beach, teams had to go on a board to a float in the sea to receive their next clue.

Leg 6 (Peru)

Airdate: October 25, 2009

Lima (Jorge Chávez International Airport) to Cusco (Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport)

Cusco (Hotel Europa) (Overnight Rest)

Cusco (Plazoleta de San Blas)

Cusco (Action Valley)

Písac (Písac Bridge)

Písac (Marketplace)

Písac (Písac Archaeological Park)

Ollantaytambo, Urubamba Province (Puesto de Lanas) (Overnight Rest)

Ollantaytambo (Ollantaytambo Train Station) to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Railway Station)

Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu (Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu - Recinto Del Guardián)

In this Leg's Roadblock, one team member had to jump off the highest Bungee Jump in South America. The Detour in this leg was Hojas (Leaves) and Granos (Grains). In Hojas, teams had to search for three coca leaves among many different leaves. Once found, they had to give them to the Master Healer to receive the next clue. In Granos, teams had to transport 100 maize cobs to a large course. Once completed, the Cacique gave the next clue.

Additional tasks

Upon arrival at Hotel Europa, teams signed up for one of three departure times, all of which were the following morning.

In Plazoleta de San Blas, teams had to find Ñusta Maria to receive the next clue.

In Puente Pisac, teams had to take local transportation, then go to the marketplace of Písac, where they had to search for a particular stall for the next clue.

In Puesto de Lanas, ater the overnight rest, teams had to look for a Huayruro with the word 'Peru', inside balls of wool and search for the Quispe's house; once given the seed, the Quispe would give the next clue.

Leg 7 (Peru → Colombia)

Airdate: November 1, 2009

Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Train Station) to Ollantaytambo (Ollantaytambo Train Station)

Cusco (Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport) to Bogotá, Colombia (El Dorado International Airport)

Útica (Cascada La Papaya)

Fusagasugá (Coloma Farm)

Bogotá (Botero Museum (Spanish))

Bogotá (Virgilio Barco Public Library or Spa Luisa Plata)

Bogotá (ETB Phone Booth)

Bogotá (Torre Colpatria)

In this Roadblock, one team member had to rappel down a waterfall to receive the next clue. The Detour in this leg was Visual or Táctil (Tactile). In Visual, teams had 15 seconds to observe a Fernando Botero painting in Virgilio Barco Public Library, then fill in another painting with some colors missing. When judged correct, they received the next clue. In Táctil, teams had to receive a chocolate massage. When finished with the massage, they received the next clue. In the Speed Bump, Casilda & Casilda had to perform a Colombian Tejo to receive the next clue.

Additional tasks

In Coloma Farm, teams had to fill, sew, then weigh 4 coffee bags with 44 pounds (20 kg) in each one to receive the next clue.

Teams had to search a ETB Phone Booth near Santamaría Bullring, then call a number to listen to the next clue.

Leg 8 (Colombia)

Airdate: November 8, 2009

Bogotá (Portal Interactivo ETB, Plaza de Las Nieves)

Bogotá (El Dorado International Airport) to Cartagena (Rafael Núñez International Airport)

Cartagena (Hotel Sofitel Cartagena Santa Clara (Spanish))

Cartagena (Baluarte de Santiago)

Cartagena (Baluarte Santo Domingo and Baluarte San Pedro Mártir or Ship)

Cartagena (Parque de Las Flores)

Cartagena (Portal de los Dulces)

Cartagena (San Felipe de Barajas Castle)

The Detour in this leg was Hacia Adelante (Onward) and Hacia Arriba (Upward). In Hacia Adelante, teams had to go to Baluarte Santo Domingo and pick 12 baskets, then take them to Baluarte San Pedro Mártir and give them to a man who would give them the next clue. In Hacia Arriba, teams had to climb up a ship's mast, take two flags, and give them to the captain in order to receive the next clue. In the Leg's Roadblock, a team member had to eat a bottle of local candies to receive the next clue.

Additional tasks

In Portal Interactivo ETB, teams had to check in on the website AeroRepública, then go to the airport to receive the next clue from a flight attendant.

In Hotel Sofitel Cartagena Santa Clara, teams had to unscramble a phrase from the novel Love in the Time of Cholera, written by Gabriel García Márquez. They had to look for the phrase in a copy of the novel. When they thought it was right, they had to say the phrase to the typist, then give the paper with the phrase on it to a judge to analyze; if the phrase was right they would receive their next clue.

In Parque de Las Flores, teams had to search for the salesman with their next clue.

Leg 9 (Colombia → Panama)

Airdate: November 15, 2009

Cartagena (Rafael Núñez International Airport) to Panama City, Panama (Tocumen International Airport)

Panama City (Figali Convention Center)

Panama City (Herrera Square)

Panama City (Miraflores Locks Visitor Center or Sidmar Marine Training School)

Panama City (Passenger Station of Corozal)

Panama City (Cargo Terminal of the Pacific)

Gamboa (Marina Gamboa Rainforest Resort)

Gamboa (San Antonio Island)

Gamboa (Gamboa Rainforest Resort)

The Detour for this leg was Pasacables (Cableman) and Timonel (Helmsman). In Pasacables, teams had to go to the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center, then pass a cable above a metal rod high above them. After passing three cables above the rod (with 6 shots per turn), a cableman would give them the next clue. In Timonel, teams had to go to Sidmar (Marine Training School) and sail a boat in a simulator of the Panama Canal without crashing into any other boat. If they sailed safely for 15 minutes, the captain would give them their next clue. In the Leg's Roadblock, at the Cargo Terminal of the Pacific, a team member had to look among 60 freight wagons for the only lamp which could be turned on; once it was found, they received the next clue.

Additional tasks

In Figali Convention Center, teams received a picture and had to look for that picture painted on a Diablos Rojos to receive the next clue; then they had to travel by Diablos Rojos to the next destination.

In the Gamboa Rainforest Resort Marina, teams had to find the next clue among the boats. Then they had to take a boat to San Antonio Island.

On San Antonio Island, each team member had to put a traditional Embera tattoo on the other. When finished, they had to row in a native canoe until they reached a trail that took them to the Pit Stop.

Leg 10 (Panama → Dominican Republic)

Airdate: November 22, 2009

Panama City (Tocumen International Airport) to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (Las Americas International Airport)

Santo Domingo (Catedral Primada de América)

Santo Domingo (Estadio Quisqueya)

Santo Domingo (Caoba Cigar Factory) (Overnight Rest)

San Pedro de Macorís (Mauricio Báez Bridge)

Hato Mayor del Rey (Rancho Capote (Spanish))

Santo Domingo (Alcázar de Colón)

In the Leg's Roadblock, a team member had to hit a professional pitcher's throw to receive the next clue. The Detour was a choice between Ofrenda (Offering) and Astucia (Cunning). In Ofrenda, teams had to search for a small statuette inside a cave and take it to a big statuette in another place in the cave. Once they put them together properly, they would receive the next clue. In Astucia, teams had to form a square from pieces of a tangram. When finished, they would receive the next clue.

Additional tasks

At the Caoba Cigar Factory, teams had to roll 10 cigars with instructions from a professional; when they completed the task, they received the next clue.

Leg 11 (Dominican Republic → Costa Rica)

Airdate: November 29, 2009

Santo Domingo (Las Americas International Airport) to San José, Costa Rica (Juan Santamaría International Airport) to Quepos (Quepos Managua Airport)

Quepos (Manuel Antonio National Park – Gemelas Beach)

Quepos (Manuel Antonio National Park – Punta Catedral Footpath) (Overnight Rest)

Quepos (Manuel Antonio National Park – Espadilla Norte Beach)

Quepos (Manuel Antonio Hotel)

Quepos to San José

San José (Planetarium at the University of Costa Rica)

Cartago (Irazú Volcano National Park - Irazú Volcano)

In the Leg's Roadblock, a team member had to choose a site, dig to get a chest with keys inside, then search for another chest and try to open it with one of the keys they found. The clue was inside one of the chests, but there were many empty chests buried. The Detour was Palas (Shovels) and Remos (Paddles). In Palas, teams had to create the picture of a seahorse in the sand, following an example exactly. When they had completed this correctly, the sculptor would give them their next clue. In Remos, teams had to row a kayak to a boat in the sea, where a sailor would give them their next clue. In the Speed Bump, Matías & Tamara had to clean six hotel rooms; once completed, the chamberlain gave them their next clue.

Additional tasks

At Espadilla Norte Beach, teams had to solve a mathematical challenge in which they had to discover the heaviest coconut among 8 coconuts using a scale; they had to give the correct solution to receive the next clue.

In the Planetarium at University of Costa Rica, teams had to order the planets of the solar system by their distance from the Sun, from nearest to farthest including Ceres, Pluto and Eris, in order to receive the next clue.

Leg 12 (Costa Rica → Mexico)

Airdate: December 6, 2009

San José (Juan Santamaría International Airport) to Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico (Cancún International Airport)

Cancún (AquaFun Marina)

Cancún (Nizuc Bridge)

Playa del Carmen (Blue Parrot Restaurant)

Playa Del Carmen (Xcaret Eco Park) (Overnight Rest)

Pacchen (Cenote del Jaguar)

Playa Del Carmen (Hotel Fairmont Mayakoba)

Airdate: December 13, 2009

Cancún (Cancun International Airport) to Mexico City (Mexico City International Airport)

Mexico City (The Angel of Independence) (Overnight Rest)

Mexico City (Go Visa Ad at Paseo De La Reforma Avenue)

Mexico City (Arena México)

Xochimilco (Embarcadero Nuevo Nativitas)

Mexico City (Estadio Olímpico Universitario)

Mexico City (Chapultepec Park - Altar to the Nation)

In this Leg's first Roadblock, one team member had to eat 3 Mexican tacos with grasshoppers, Maguey Worm and several species of cricket to receive the next clue. This leg's first Detour was a choice between Altura (Height) and Profundidad (Deepness). In Altura, teams had 3 minutes to climb a greasy pole; each team member had to reach one flag on the top of the pole. Once they had collected two flags, they would receive the next clue. In Profundidad, teams had 3 minutes to dive into a shark tank, where each team member had to find a marked stone on the bottom of the tank; once they had collected the two marked stones, they would receive the next clue.

In the Leg's second Roadblock, one team member had to take a flag from one wrestler's boot in three minutes, while three wrestlers were fighting with him/her. In the leg's second Detour was Mariachis or Trajineras (Spanish). In Mariachis, teams had to find an image of Santa Muerte under a hat worn by one of the mariachis playing. In Trajineras, teams had to find a trajinera (typical boats of Xochimilco) called "Zita" and find the clue inside the boat.

Additional tasks

In Cenote del Jaguar, teams had to participate in a Mayan ritual, then enter the cenote and search for the next clue in the wall.

At the Angel of Independence, teams had to drive a Segway to Go Visa with only a picture as reference.

At Estadio Olímpico's court, teams had to match the pit stops with the greeters in order of appearance. Once the order was correct, they would receive the final clue.