From the early days when a dislocated shoulder sealed Jen and Shawn’s fate off the race to some entertaining times with Rex and Bob making lounge chairs on the beach or peirogies in Pa-ree (Paris), season 2 of The Amazing Race Canada sure had us racing to our couches Tuesday nights.
One of the best surprises for the teams this year was international travel. “We had no idea at the time that this season would take racers outside of the country,” Nabeela (of team Nabeela and Shahla) allowed us to pick her brain a bit and maybe gain a little insight into the race.
It was Shahla’s idea to join and Nabeela agreed because of the complementary skills they possess and the fact that they have travelled a lot and always have fun together. So they brought their friendship to the Amazing Race.
In just one leg, they saw Victoria, Vancouver and Calgary and made it through ‘The Monster’ zip line, skydive roadblock and served tea to the lords and ladies before the Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt challenge denied them their “naval recruits” ribbons. Although they were the first to be eliminated, Nabeela maintains that the big reveal, was one of her favourite moments and that she would do it again. “This time I’d make sure my teammate has thermal underwear,” she laughs.
The most insouciant team was probably Laura and Jackie. They had a great time all the way and were happy to have been in the city they love (Hong Kong) before they left.
We were surprised when Cormac and Nicole were eliminated given that they are such a dynamic mother-son duo, but Nicole showed us what having the courage to persevere really means. The woman cycled more than half a marathon (even knowing their fate) just so she could live up to her motto: “No matter what, we finish what we start…” a lesson for her son in never giving up that she wanted to put into action. Boy did she ever.
Episode 8 had Alain on one knee as he proposed to Audrey with Notre Dame in the background. Paris is also where Sukhi and Jinder won the first of their two wins (in a row) of the race – on Jinder’s birthday! Was all this good fortune planned? No. Nabeela set the record straight “The race route is one of the most coveted secrets of the Amazing Race.” It was all just meant to be folks.
Then there were twin brothers Pier and Michel, Forget about them. We kid. But they proved that playing dirty doesn’t always get you the GOLD medal. It was proven again by Sukhi and Jinder’s demise. But we’re proud; like Nicole, Sukhi climbed that treacherous cliff and zip lined to the mat with her brother – a true fight to the finish.
Now three teams remain. Hockey Olympic medalists Natalie and Meaghan have held the top spot in almost every leg of the race – taking it all should be a breeze. On the other hand Ryan and Rob have powered through speed bump after speed bump, including the only U-turn served this year (and poop) and came out smiling after making it through two non-elimination rounds. Someone or something is shining down on them. Then there’s Mickey and Pete, best friends and practically brothers. We love Mickey and Pete, but who would have thought they would make it this far? In Nabeela’s words: “The Amazing Race it such an adventure all over our beautiful country. You need to relax, and take time to enjoy and relish in the experience of being on the Amazing Race.” Seems to have worked for these two surfer dudes.
So who did Nabeela think would win?
“I think any of the teams can win the race. Each team is very strong and competent…” Very Jon Montgomery of you.
But seriously, at that point, the race was anybody’s to seize.
Closing off in our nation’s capital, they paddled in kayaks to the Rideau Canal (the waters were flowing better for others than some), then it was “class time” with a lesson in Canadian parliamentary debate at Parliament Hill. After the Diefenbunker scavenger hunt, the teams climbed a few storeys (they’ll have stories to tell after this) at the Canadian Nature Museum for their next dangling (literally) clue. After many wrist-swelling hiccups and cabbies getting lost (in their own city? really?) the teams met for a three-way, nail-biting, “edge of your seat” race at the National Gallery of Canada. Who won? “Best friends for life!” #CongratsMickeyAndPete #NoPantsNoProblem – of course they had no pants!
Catch reruns at ctv.ca
We asked Nabeela if she would participate in any other reality shows, races or competitions: “Haha, maybe a Muslim version of the Bacherlorette.”
