Hayley & Blair won a trip to India last week, but is that the extent of their winning?
Mike & Rochelle have definitely been this season's weakest team, but also probably the most likable. They finished last and, exceptional editing notwithstanding, it was obvious that they finished pretty far back. Every single step of the Leg battered them, including the Roadblock, the Detour and transportation and navigation between steps.
In other words, they emerged from this last episode even more likable. That said, the BookMaker leaderboard does not tend to reflect likability. Their odds are +720 going into the finale, making them the long-shot.
Heading into Leg 11, Blair & Hayley have three firsts, three seconds and two thirds. Jenny & Jelani and Laura & Tyler both have two wins and six Top 3 finishes. The "Amazing Race" editors have won many Emmys and next Friday's finale might just reveal not only Hayley & Blair winning the million, but also that they're now engaged.
In other words, polish that next Emmy for editing. But, Blair & Hailey are not the favorites here, with so-so odds of +330.
The favorites honor goes to Laura & Tyler, at -160. Jenny & Jelani are holding it down at +415.
Still, Mike & Rochelle could storm back to win as underdogs.
Friday's tough, but elimination-free, Leg started with a visit to South America's biggest mosaic, where they had to find a tiny sticker clue on one of countless tiny tiles.
For one of the first times this season, things weren't quickly equalized - and look for that to potentially remain being the case this coming Friday. These detours were tough, and they're going to stay that way.
Make Some Bricks asked teams to go to an archeological site and make 12 bricks to the satisfaction of the foreman and then transport 12 more bricks to another, relatively far-off, destination.
Shake Your Hips was the basic "Learn a local dance and be judged" task. It's a familiar "Amazing Race" fall-back challenge.
Over at Make Some Bricks, Hayley & Blair did okay and, astoundingly, didn't fight at all. Tyler & Laura did better initially with the bricks-making and then in the transporting of the bricks, Tyler put all 12 bricks in the wheelbarrow and delivered them in a single trip, which was impressive. Tyler then had to put in extra effort when Laura accidentally broke one of the bricks, forcing him to return run back with a single brick. Tyler is MVP, hands down.
As for Mike & Rochelle, they got to Make Some Bricks while Tyler & Laura were still brick-making, but they gave up in a hurry.
It took Jenny & Jelani a couple attempts, and Mike & Rochelle at least five.
In the Roadblock, both Racers had to carry reed-boats down to the beach and then one contestant had to figure out how to paddle the darned thing through the waves to a buoy. Strength and agility were required, but also balance and having a basic strategy. People did lots of wiping out and near-drowning. Nobody instantly aced it, no matter how athletic they were.
When Phil announced that Blair & Hayley had won a trio to Goa, there was an odd collective acceptance. Just enough that this shifty duo could steal the thing right out from everyone else.
The Amazing Race odds for this Friday’s episode on CBS were first released by BookMaker. Cash in on futures odds to win the award-winning reality TV show by opening an account at BookMaker now! Now you can wager live while the episode unfolds with BookMaker's live betting option.
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