Who would have thought, at the beginning of season two of the Amazing Race Canada, that the Dudes and the Bartenders would be vying for the podium against the Olympians. I'm pretty sure the final three has come as a surprise to most viewers almost as much as it has to the final three teams. 

We get a quick recap of the eliminations, and a little background on the final three, including Ryan & Rob's double non-elimination. Can they keep that luck running to win, I guess we'll see soon enough.

Having come in first on the last leg, Natalie & Meaghan are the first to depart at 3:31am with Mickey & Pete hot on their tail just a few minutes behind (3:44am). They're flying off to Ottawa, Ontario, the nations Capitol. All three teams board the plane to travel the 1100 kms from Moncton to Ottawa, via Montreal and then locate the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge to find their next clue. Lots of running ensues. 

Teams must now grab a taxi and head to the Fleet Street Pumping Station where they'll find an Olympic rafting training facility. They'll need to pick a kayak, gear up and complete the course along the river to find the entrance to the Rideau Canal. Sounds easy enough, especially without having to tow an eleven year old in a kayak behind you (welcome to my summer vacation). 

Ryan & Rob managed to slip into first place until their driver takes a wrong turn, allowing the others to race ahead. At the river Mickey & Pete take the Olympians timidity over the rocks as a chance to sidestep them and hit the water first. Way to go Dudes. Love the blowup kayaks and the hidden fact that Pete's a river guide on the Ottawa River. Hopefully the rule to avoid your talent doesn't backfire on them.

Meaghan points out that they're much better on frozen water And that's pretty obvious as Mickey & Pete hit the shore first and sprint up the bank for their next clue. Meaghan's hand has started to seize up from the rowing but they've got a big lead on the Bartenders who've just located the Pumping Station. From first to last, just like that. 

Mickey & Pete are first to clue and must now locate the office of Andrew Scheer, the Speaker of the House of Commons, on Parliament Hill. Once there they'll find the walls lined with books of transcripts of every debate ever held in the House of Commons, select an envelope with an important date, locate that date amongst the transcripts and then make their way to the Library of Parliament to find their symbol of Canadian identity before the librarian gives them their next clue. 

Finding the room was easy enough, but finding the correct book of transcripts took a little searching, which has allowed the girls to make it to the clue box. The girls find the Dudes looking through their transcript but they don't see the box with the envelopes. Pete is thinking "don't tell them Mickey, don't tell them" and Mickey didn't. At this point in the race you can't afford to be helpful. The girls have wandered all the way to the library before realizing that's where they hand in the answer not find the envelope so back they go. 

Speaking of back, Ryan & Rob have finally made it to shore. They're not a long way behind, but they're far enough. Mickey & Pete have to decide which debate on their given day was the most iconic and they decide that March 25, 1986's most significant debate was bringing in the Loonie. Sounds about right.

The girls have made it back to the office and manage to find the envelopes right away and pick March 30, 1949, . . . but the boys are on their way to the Library. They give their correct answer and get their next clue, with a bonus hug from the librarian. The Dudes are off to the Diefenbunker, a four story underground bomb shelter where they'll find their next clue, under a bomb. 

Here's a thought, if you know you're in last place as you enter the Parliament Building in a race for a quarter of a million dollars wouldn't you be moving a lot faster than Ryan & Rob's slow saunter in? Granted, Bronze still counts but come on. 

The girls have left the office before the boys arrive, deciding that the National Anthem be proposed in both English and French versions is the correct answer. They're right, but no hugs for them. They're about ten minutes behind the Dudes as Ryan & Rob pick December 15, 1964. They find the right book but it's all en francaise. Try the other wall boys.

At the Diefenbunker, Mickey & Pete have the foresight to ask their cabbie to wait for them. Time for a Roadblock. One team member must search the 100,000 square foot Cold War bunker for three different military miniatures in order to get their next clue. Pete's got this one and into the bunker he goes. Fortunately there are five miniatures on the desk as he enters so at least he has an idea what he's looking for. 

Back at the Library, Ryan & Rob decide the adoption of the Canadian flag is correct and they're right. No hug for them either. They're only about fifteen minutes behind the girls, but the girls have picked the wrong cab and it's breaking down on the way to the Diefenbunker. Hopefully they can grab a replacement before the Bartenders speed on by. 

Underground in the bunker Pete is quickly losing his lead as he can't seem to find any of the miniatures. It doesn't help that he's not really looking because he expects them to be in plain site not sitting on a lower shelf. Slow down Dude. The Olympians managed to limp their taxi to the Diefenbunker where their cabbie could call for a replacement while they ran inside.  Natalie takes the task, in case it's more physical than it sounds, and heads underground. 

Natalie finds the first miniature and despite being ten minutes ahead Pete finds the same room and miniature right behind her. Both of them then run into each other in another room with miniatures but neither one sees the miniatures. In separate rooms they both find another, only one left for each. Natalie misses the helicopters in the locker but Pete finds the plane and maintains a slight lead. Another hug for Pete and the next clue while Natalie continues her search.

Mickey & Pete are now on their way to the Canadian Museum of Nature for another Roadblock. In this one, the team member who didn't search the Diefenbunker gets to harness in and climb 60 feet to the top of the museum's atrium where they'll have to grab their next clue, then traverse across the ceiling to continue the race. This uses a lot of lower body strength so Meaghan may be alright doing it, but it could go either way if she twists her wrist the wrong way. Mickey should have no problem at all with this one. 

Rob descends into the Diefenbunker where he finds Natalie frantically searching for her third miniature. She misses the same ones again, but Rob's lack of speed works in his favor as he finds the one both Natalie and Pete have missed, followed by a second one in the next room. Natalie finally finds her third one, but so does Rob right behind her. Ryan figures they're only three minutes behind the girls. 

On the way to their next Roadblock, Mickey & Pete encounter an actual police roadblock. Fortunately it's short lived and they're waved around it and on to the museum. Mickey races in and gets harnessed, thinking it can't be that hard. Harder than it looks and Spider-man he's not, but he figures out a system that works for him and up he goes. As he says, he's "gotta do this, for Pete's sake." 

Once he makes it to the top he has trouble reaching for the clue, something that I'd have no problem with at 6'7", assuming I figured out how to get up. Pete notices the Olympians pulling up but he doesn't say anything so as to not throw off Mickey's focus and it works because he grabs the clue. Well done, now a quick zip to the top, traverse the ceiling and open the clue before Meaghan harnesses in. 

They're now off to Canada's National Gallery, home to the largest collection of Canadian art in the whole world. That shouldn't be a surprise, should it? That's where they'll find their next clue and hopefully a warmer welcome than the girls give them in passing on the stairs. 

Meaghan has come to the realization that there's no way she can do this without using her already swollen hand, but up she goes as the Bartenders arrive. Ryan straps in as Meaghan reaches for the clue, obviously in pain, then slowly works her way across the ceiling to keep their short lead. Really short because Ruan was right behind her on the way up and they're closing in with their cab.

Meanwhile Mickey & Pete have arrived at the National Gallery and found the next clue which leads them to the Baroque Gallery where they'll install an art exhibit inspired by the Amazing Race Canada. It's a memory challenge showing the twelve legs of the race represented by four rows of three paintings. They need to set the paintings in their correct chronological order to receive their next clue. The race is run over about 28 days rather than 12 weeks so most of these should be fairly fresh for the teams to remember, but that's still 36 images to get in the correct order. Not to mention the trick images to throw them off.

The boys are moving along pretty quick when they find the painting of the Taj Mahal. No problem figuring out they never went there so they set it aside. They're zipping through as Natalie & Meaghan show up and the pressure's on. Here come Ryan & Rob to put everyone in the same place and now it's up to memory and good notes to either keep or take the lead. 

The a Dudes call for their first inspection, but they've got one wrong. Hard enough using just the images that apply, but adding in the others increases the difficulty. The Olympians make a few adjustments and call for their first inspection, but they have two wrong. They start focusing on the ones they're not sure about and correct one of them but again fail inspection. Interesting that the Dudes and Olympians both think they saw a double decker bus in France. Mickey & Pete take down one they had right and fail their second inspection as well.

Over on Ryan & Rob's wall they also fail with one as the Dudes correct their Montreal error. Then they take out the double decker and call for another inspection. They've managed to keep their lead and not jump up and down screaming in exhilaration, no small task I'm sure, as they get the next clue. 

At last: the end of the Race! Make your way to Rideau Hall and search for Jon at the Finish Line. Run, Dudes, Run! Rideau Hall has been the home of every Governor General since 1867 and somewhere on the grounds is the finish line for Season Two of The Amazing Race Canada. 

The girls get focused when Mickey & Pete run out, make another switch and . . . They're on their tail. Mickey & Pete have been really lucky with their cab driver, now all Tony has to do is get them to Rideau Hall before the girls. Drive, Tony, drive, but don't run any red lights.

At the finish line all the eliminated teams are waiting to see who emerges first from Rideau Hall . . . as are we . . . and it's . . . Mickey & Pete, finally winning a leg of the race. No more third place finishes for them. Jon asks how they feel and they can't believe they did it. They always had a plan to win a leg and strip down and here they are on the final leg, pants less. Pants are highly overrated anyway. 

Natalie & Meaghan ran a hard race but despite all their first place finishes they are Team Number Two. It was a hard leg for them but Jon asks them to leave with their heads held high, and he's right because they have nothing about the race to be ashamed of. As Meaghan said, they've taken their friendship to a whole new level. Ryan & Rob arrive and we finally get some personality from Rob, there's even a smile. There's nothing wrong with third place in an Amazing Race. 

Congratulations to Mickey & Pete. Well won, boys.

Watch for our interview with the Dudes, and our video recap in the next 24 hours. Following that, it's time for Wayne and I to get our next audition video together for submission. If our readers/viewers are interested in watching Wayne and I run the race next season, feel free to start up a grassroots campaign to make it happen. Now it's time for me to watch After The Race. See you all real soon.

Four teams, two legs, one grudge match . . . It's time for another episode review of the Amazing Race Canada. Yeah, I'm running a little late this week, sorry about that. It's a good thing they don't have "buy the right replacement vehicle for your team" as a challenge because there's no way to make the right decision without second guessing yourself. Luckily blogging is a lot easier.

Sukhi & Jinder were mere seconds ahead of Natalie & Meaghan at the end of last week's episode and are the first to depart on the eleventh leg at 4:31 am and they're driving themselves 140 kms from P.E.I. to New Brunswick across Confederation Bridge. Well, at least they're not stuck waiting for a flight. Once they arrive in Shediac, NB, teams will need to join an Acadian birthday party at the local DQ, where they'll prepare Blizzards and custom ice cream cake for the party, . . . once served correct toy they'll get their next clue. Is DQ even open that early?

The Olympians are one minute behind and those Chevy Trax sure look like a nice ride. Only six minutes behind the girls are Mickey & Pete, who should have no problem slipping into second while Sukhi & Jinder wait out a 15 minute penalty for running a red light. I guess it's better to sit it out now than have it come as a surprise at the Pit Stop. At the end Ryan & Rob  are bringing up the rear with a 5:09 am departure. I think I actually saw Rob smile. Finally.

Everybody realizes how important this leg is as they all vie for final three and a shot at the grand prize, but somebody's going to be hugely disappointed. Natalie & Meaghan are the first to arrive at the Shediac DQ and take their table's order then head in to fill it. Mickey & Pete arrive second and feel they're definitely DQ material. Not so sure about that, but Pete did really well icing the Happy Birthday cake. 

The girls finish first and receive their next clue and their off on a drive 60kms south to Hopewell Cape to locate the Albert County Museum, eight original buildings from early New Brunswick. Once there they need to search the grounds for their next clue.

Sukhi & Jinder finally arrive just as Mickey & Pete complete the challenge. It's a pretty easy challenge and a fun way to squeeze in a DQ commercial, but where did they find all these people who wanted ice cream for breakfast? Oh wait, they're kids. Of course they'd want ice cream for breakfast.  Mine certainly would.

The Olympians quickly find the next clue in the court house. Detour; By Land or By Sea.
In By Land teams get a chance to geocache using GPS devices to locate hidden items. If they've ever done this before it's an easy detour but if they haven't it could take some figuring out to find all ten geocaches. In By Sea teams must locate Hopewell Rocks and then learn the maritime tradition of international signal flags by finding their signal station box with almost 100 flags, figure out their message, race across the beach to the code book for the appropriate flags, memorize the order, race back and raise their flags. Wayne and I would go geocaching.

Natalie & Meaghan however decide that geocaching would be too confusing and choose By Sea. Meanwhile Sukhi & Jinder complete their order, Mickey & Pete find the court house, and Ryan & Rob . . . Where the heck have they disappeared to now? Pete thinks the semaphore task will be quicker and off they go to Hopewell Rocks. There they are, Ryan & Rob have arrived at DQ and know they're in last place but it's still early. Real early.

Not really sure why the girls are removing the sheet of messages from the flag station lid, apparently this is as confusing as geocaching for them. The SignalMaster looks like he's wondering how they got this far as they scurry off down the beach. Once they see the code book they figure it out. They may feel a bit stupid, but they're still in the lead.

Speaking of leads, Sukhi & Jinder's is long gone as they drive right past the Albert County Museum, giving the Olympians and the Dudes more of a lead and allowing Ryan & Rob to close the gap. Not sure why they have so much trouble reading a map, or a sign for that matter. Not sure how Jinder figures they had a massive lead though, they were only a minute ahead of the girls and seven ahead of the Dudes, both of which passed them during their penalty. They finally arrived at the museum at the same time as Ryan & Rob, raced around the grounds and both decide to do By Sea. 

At the sea, Natalie & Meaghan think they've figured out a system to memorize the messages but seem to have a problem raising their flags. Mickey & Pete look just as confused as the girls when Ryan & Rob show up, while Sukhi takes a road trip around New Brunswick. Natalie & Meaghan call for a flag check, but they're wrong, . . . back to the book. During the run they realize that the SignalMaster is reading the flags from the sea not the shore and they race back to flip their flags.

Mickey & Pete feel they've got it figure out and call for a check but, like the girls, they're wrong. They start flipping a few flags as Sukhi & Jinder finally join the party. Sukhi figures they can out-memorize the other teams as they race to the code book but then Jinder realizes they've lost their clue. That's never good. Hard to read what you don't have.

Natalie & Meaghan call for another inspection while Jinder races about looking for his clue, but they've still got something wrong. Sukhi figures they can just read another teams' clue, but Mickey & Pete aren't sharing and neither are the Bartenders. I can't believe that the Olympians actually shared their clue after what happened in the last leg. There's a difference between playing fair and playing stupid, and personally I think that was stupid and may have cost them the race. Ryan & Rob's first inspection is also incorrect.

Time for a second inspection for the Dudes, but it's wrong, as is the girl's third attempt. Sukhi & Jinder's first attempt is also wrong. See how much easier it would have been to find ten hidden geocaches. Mickey & Pete started over for their third attempt only to find themselves still incorrect. As was their fourth, Ryan & Rob's fifth, and the girl's ninth. Isn't it about time somebody switched detours? 

The Olympians are the first team to realize they may need to switch and thanks to the joys of editing it looks like everyone is waiting to see what they do. They've never switched a Detour yet, but after eleven attempts it may be time. They decide to switch but while looking to retrieve their clue they find an almost matching flag and think it may be the mistake they've been making all along. A quick flip, a twelfth inspection and . . . Congratulations. They're on their way to Cape Enrage to find their next clue. 

Mickey & Pete discover the same nearly identical flag and make the same switch. Tenth times the charm, but why do they holler back to the last two teams to check their flags for the littlest details? I thought they wanted to win. Ryan & Rob make the same flip but on their ninth inspection they're still wrong.

Welcome to Cape Enrage where the girls find the clue box and this leg's Roadblock; Rage Against the Cape. One team member must rappel down the cliff face to find the first half of their clue, then race across the rocky shore and climb up another rock face to find the second half of their clue. Put the halves together, decipher the clue and move on.  Natalie decides to go over the edge for the Olympians. 

Rappelling down is easy enough, just a matter of balance, but I think I'd let Wayne do this one. He's younger, in better shape, and needs the exercise. Not so much an exercise in futility as the endless stream of incorrect flag checks back at the beach, but Ryan & Rob find a second incorrect flag, switch it, and their eleventh attempt is correct . . . leaving Sukhi & Jinder in last place, but not for long as Jinder discovers the same flag and their tenth attempt is good to go. 

Mickey chooses to join Natalie on the Roadblock, just as Natalie finds the first half of the clue. Mickey's a lot faster rappelling down than Natalie was and narrows the gap, but she manages to stay ahead as she climbs back up with both halves of the clue. Now they need to make their way to the zipline tower, properly rig their teammate into their gear and zipline to the Pit Stop, a 150 year old lighthouse on the shore of the Bay of Fundy.

The girls are first to the tower and notice the boys are on their way and closing the gap. If they don't figure out what they're screwing up on the harness soon they could miss out on reclaiming victory. A few quick adjustments, a few more, a helmet check, . . . whew, good to go. 

A quick zipline down to Jon at the Pit Stop and Natalie & Meaghan are Team Number One and guaranteed a spot in the final leg. They also won two tickets to anywhere in the USA that Air Canada flies and another $5,000 on their card. Mickey & Pete can see them land and know they're Team Number Two. So close, and yet so far, but a great leg for the boys.

Back on the cliffs Ryan's going over and a little terrified he's gonna lose it and fall face first. As Sukhi & Jinder arrive, Sukhi straps in. She's a little less terrified, but not by much. Ryan realizes he has to actually climb the cliff back up rather than walk up, and it doesn't help to have the added pressure of Sukhi closing in on him. Don't fall now Ryan.

As Sukhi ascends the cliff face Jinder watches Ryan & Rob zipline across the sky and knows it's the end for them. He stays supportive of his sister who's found herself stuck  about fifteen feet from the top. Ryan & Rob are Team Number Three and we finally get some personality from Rob. Sukhi makes it to the top and they zipline in to be the last team to arrive and unfortunately eliminated from the race. They had a good run, but all good runs eventually end.

Next week it's the finale as the final three teams head to Ottawa where they get strung up, roadblocked, and oared to their limits as they race through a maze in search of the final Pit Stop. Be sure and check back soon for our exit interview with Sukhi & Jinder and watch for our video recap in the next 36 hours. Maybe we'll do it from my new car. 

It's time for another amazing episode of Amazing Race Canada and where there's an episode you'll find Wayne and I ready with another review. After last week's non-elimination leg saved Ryan & Rob we still have five teams starting out on the tenth leg. With their baring performance on the last leg, Sukhi & Jinder are the first to leave at 2:56am and are on their way to Charlottetown, P.E.I., the birthplace of Canada.

Sukhi is sure this is the start of a streak, not a fluke, and they intend to win another leg but they'll have to contend with the determination of the Dudes who have yet to win a leg. Natalie & Meaghan are almost an hour behind, leaving at 3:33am and it's a pretty sure bet that all teams will once again be on the same flight. Everybody feels they can win the race, even Ryan & Rob who are the last to leave at 6:13am. We get a little more focus on Ryan's cancer survival and hopefully this isn't a bad sign for them, but as I had guessed they're all on the same flight.

Once teams land 1,000kms later in Charlottetown they find their brand new Chevy Impala and need to find their next clue in the "hidden" compartment on the dash. Okay, it's not really all that hidden and all teams are out of the airport, find the clue and on their way to the Red Shores Race Track to search the paddock for the next clue. Everyone arrives at the same time and it's a mad dash over the fence and across the track for the clue . . . become horse and driver and ride your sulky two laps around the track. I think I'd let Wayne do the running, especially since my legs are long enough to be comfortable in the sulky.

Natalie & Meaghan are the first to race out onto the track and there's even an announcer to comment on the race. Well there goes my job. Mickey was a track star in high school and a natural for the horse, with an even pace and steady gait as he passed Alain & Audrey to take third and then sped past Sukhi & Jinder for second. It was only a mater of time before he also outran the Olympians and Mickey & Pete moved into first place, but can Mickey keep up the pace? Natalie & Meaghan have switched positions for a new horse, as have Sukhi & Jinder. The new horse has now caught and passed Mickey, while Alain has slowed into last place. Mickey overtakes the girls again when they stop to change horses and they maintain their lead and finish first, with Natalie & Meaghan in second.

Teams must now find Charlottetown's historic landmark, Province House, where 150 years ago the 36 Fathers of Confederation gathered to discuss the formation of Canada, and where the teams will find their next clue. Back on the track, Jinder is running out of steam and allowing slow-moving Alain to catch up. Not a great spot for the Tsunami Siblings but it's still early in the leg and they managed to keep ahead of the Lovebirds.

Mickey & Pete are the first to arrive at Province House, followed closely by Natalie & Meaghan. Their clue is this leg's Roadblock; Who's Your Daddy . . . where one team member will have to test their knowledge of Canadian history and powers of observation to identify ten of the Fathers of Confederation based on the details revealed by the costumed interpreters on the grounds. Once the racer has memorized the clues they will enter the same chamber where the original conference was held and identify the ten Founding Fathers and, if they're correct, Canada's first Prime Minister, Sir John A MacDonald will give them their next clue.

Pete thinks he has it all figured out but once again has failed to remember rule number one, Read The Clue. Getting the names of all the people on the grounds is not part of the clue and the interpreters know he's going about it the wrong way. Fortunately Meaghan read the clue and figured out what she needed to do, now all she needs to do is remember all ten names and the details associated with them. I'm great with details, but my knowledge of Canadian history is a little rusty so I'd bow to Wayne's lead on this one and if he felt he could do it I'd be okay with that. His French pronunciation is better too.

Meaghan wants to recapture the lead and feels she has the details memorized so she heads in to the chamber for her first attempt. Unfortunately she only got two of the ten. Everyone has now arrived at Province House, with Alain, Sukhi & Ryan taking up the task. Pete has the performers memorized so in he goes, only to realize he didn't read the clue. Better late than never.

Ryan's first attempt only gets one, while Sukhi and Alain both blow their first attempt. After Sukhi's fifth failed attempt she starts to focus and break down each clue, which can be a really good strategy by breaking the clues into sentences and on her sixth attempt . . . she nails it. I think the interpreters really enjoyed her performance as she recieved the next clue. Well done Sukhi.

They're off on a drive to the North River PetroCanada station, fill up their tank, and then get the next clue. Back in the chamber, Ryan's second attempt proved the charm and he and Rob were off to catch up to Sukhi & Jinder. As happy as Ryan is, Rob still fails to show any emotion, not even a smile. I gotta believe that this guy is being edited poorly or he ticked off a cameraman.

Alain's fourth attempt was close but missed it by that much, while Pete's fifth attempt gets it. Way to go dude, not only did he memorize the people outside but the ten Fathers of Confederation as well. I'm impressed. It's down to the Olympians or the Lovebirds for last place at the moment.

Sukhi and Jinder get their next clue at the PetroCan station and are now off in search of Lucy Maud Montgomery's birthplace in the village of New London where they'll search for their next clue. Of course, while they were getting the clue, Ryan & Rob have caught up to them. 

Meaghan's sixth attempt messes up the pronunciation and she fails again. Alain does the same thing, but he realizes it and corrects himself to complete the task, leaving the Olympians in the dust. Meaghan hasn't a clue what she's doing wrong but if she doesn't figure it out soon it'll be farewell to the podium for them. After failing again, Meaghan goes back out to review her clues and finally realizes what she did wrong. At least she solved the problem and they're now on the road to catch up to the other teams.

Over at Lucy Maud Montgomery's Sukhi & Jinder have hit the Detour: Mussels or Mass. In Mussels, teams must first locate Prince Edward Aqua Farms and then process 800 pounds of slimy mussels to get their next clue. Meanwhile in Mass teams must calculate the correct weight of over ten million russet potatoes stored inside a warehouse, using a tape measure and a calculator, a great task for my wife the Math teacher. Wayne and I would probably choose Mass just to prove to her that we could do it. That, and it's a lot less slimy.

Sukhi & Jinder decide to do Mussels and are counting on their lead to keep them ahead. Back on the road, Audrey has reverted to french to yell at Alain for getting lost on the road. Good thing there are subtitles, but isn't she the navigator? Ryan & Rob almost drove past the Montgomery house, but noticed it as they went by and pulled in to find their Speed Bump. 

This Speed Bump has them locating three hidden bottles of moonshine, which harkens back to the time of prohibition and where the locals would hide their hooch.  An appropriate task for the Bartenders, who must now get knee deep in horse manure to find the bottles. Apparently Jon hasn't developed a taste for moonshine like the locals have.

The Lovebirds have found the PetroCan station and the back end of the Olympians car as they pull away. Alain refuses to let it get to him because he knows that if they lose focus they'll fall further behind. 

Sukhi & Jinder have found the Aqua Farm and get suited up to remove the mussels from their socks and place them into the next bin, but they're making one heck of a mess of it. Hopefully Mickey & Pete will be a little less messy as they have also chosen Mussels. At least it's better than trying to find booze in a pile of crap, which the Bartenders are still digging through.

The Olympians decide against Mass because Meaghan feels her brain is fried after the Roadblock so they too choose Mussels and are on their way to the Aqua Farm. Mickey and Pete had to get directions from the end of the road and have arrived to find Sukhi & Jinder smelling a little fishy. The Dudes intend to pass the Tsunami Siblings on this task but I think they've failed to realize the size of the project at hand as the muscle through it. Their joke, not mine.

Natalie & Meaghan have arrived while Alain & Audrey have also chosen Mussels. Why is everyone so afraid of math? It's not really that hard. The girls have a lot of time to make up but at least they're all in one place and it's not in a pile of horse manure . . . where the boys have finally found the last bottle, gotten their next clue, and also choose Mussels.

The Olympians are powering through this task and have almost caught up to Sukhi & Jinder, who just managed to maintain their lead after cleaning up the floor. The forman gives them their next clue . . . Make your way to the Farmer's Bank of Rustico and find Jon at the next Pit Stop. It's gonna be another close one, unless someone gets lost along the way.

As Sukhi & Jinder leave Natalie & Meaghan call for an inspection and they're good to go. They were so close they could see Sukhi pulling out of the parking lot. Mickey & Pete aren't too far behind, but Alain & Audrey have a lot of mussels to get through.

Out on the road to Rustico, Sukhi & Jinder have asked a local for help and then point in the wrong direction to mislead the Olympians, but the girls aren't falling for it. It's kind of a stupid move because you wouldn't be making such grand gestures for another team to catch unless you were trying to mislead them. What they should have done was pointed in the right direction and then let the girls make their own decision. The girls pulled ahead and back into the lead. As they said, they're not stupid and they have a map. Too bad Sukhi didn't.

The siblings realize their error as they catch up to the Olympians in Rustico. It's a footrace to the Pit Stop and somehow Sukhi & Jinder outrun Natalie & Meaghan and are Team Number One, making the Olympians Team Number Two. Sukhi & Jinder also win wto tickets to any of Air Canada's Canadian destinations and $5000 on their Scotiabank Amex card. The Siblings have unfortunately made an enemy of Natalie & Meaghan, who'll be gunning for them in the next leg.

Mickey & Pete are Team Number Three and even though they're a little disappointed at their third place finish, Jon points out they only need to be team number three to make it to the final leg. When Pete goes to hug him Jon yells out "Do not hug me" followed by "Do not hug her either." Can't say I blame him based on the way all the team members must smell after that last task. Probably a good deal on a few slightly used Impalas in Charlottetown.

Back at the Aqua Farm, neither Ryan & Rob nor Alain & Audrey have any intention of going home today but I really don't see there being another non-elimination leg. Alain & Audrey left some mussels in the socks, which allowed Ryan & Rob to get out first but they were right behind them. Ryan & Rob are Team Number Four and still in it. Unfortunately Alain & Audrey are the last team to arrive and they have been eliminated from the race. Time to go home and start planning a wedding.

Next week four teams are off to New Brunswick for a spot in the finale, with a cliff hanging roadblock, cake decorating for an Acadian birthday, and a semaphore task that could signal the end for one team. It's all fun and games until somebody raises the white flag.

Tune in tomorrow (or the next day, depends on our schedule) for our video recap of tonight's leg and keep an eye out for our exit interview with Alain & Audrey. There will likely be a few tears shed but whether in happiness or sorrow remains to be seen.

We're down to the final five teams as they get ready to run the ninth leg of the race. First out of the starting block once again are Natalie & Meaghan, leaving Paris at 3:26am for Montreal, Quebec. From the capital of France to the capital of what was once New France. The girls quickly grab a cab and head to the airport but the odds are they'll all be on the same flight. Too bad because the next closest team, Sukhi & Jinder don't leave until 5:41am, almost two and a half hours behind.

Happy Birthday to Jinder, maybe he'll get a birthday surprise during the leg but I'm pretty sure none of the other teams are going to let them slip ahead without a fight. Least of all the Dudes who've decided it's time to step up their game. That'd be a good idea boys.

Newly engaged Alain & Audrey are leaving at 8:08am and heading home, also on the same flight. Not sure if the home field advantage will help them or hinder them, but it may give them the leg up they need to move from the back of the pack . . . where we find Ryan & Rob, who are still bitter about being u-turned. Get over it.

Audrey has been dying to tell the other teams about their engagement and goes to the Olympians first. Everyone was overjoyed and Audrey said they were all invited to the wedding, and then there was a chill in the air as Sukhi & Jinder showed up. Seriously? Sukhi half heartedly apologized for u-turning Ryan & Rob but they just won't let it go. Guess we'll see how that turns out for them. They'll either harness their anger to help them focus or use it as an excuse to screw up. Either way, it's just a game.

Everyone is now on their way back to Canada, leaving from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport where they'll need to locate the Air Canada Priority Check-In Counter to receive their next clue. It's a big airport but this shouldn't take long, and it doesn't. There's a bit of a scuffle as they realize that check-ins are upstairs but after that it's just a foot race. Teams now need to make their way to the old Mirabel Airport, about 50 kms northwest, and find Circuit iCar, a high end testing track that uses the old runways as the track to get their next clue.

It's a mad dash to get to the cabs and make their way out of Montreal (or more to the point across Montreal) with the usual jockeying for position. Alain & Audrey have managed to slip out in front with the Olympians right behind and Sukhi & Jinder on their tail.

Roadblock; Who Can Turn On A Dime? One team member needs to complete a two stage test driving a new Chevy Camaro SS. The first stage is the Quarter Drift, a 90 degree fishtail maneuver without spinning out, followed by the second stage, a Reverse 180 where you back up and then spin around to go forward. Once they've completed both stages the instructor will give them their next clue. Alain is up and slipping into his race gear as Meaghan takes it on for the Olympians.

Despite this being right up Alain's alley, he fails again and again. Meaghan has the same problem as Jinder hits the track, and also fails. Back to Alain as the Dudes and Bartenders arrive to see him fail again. Meaghan has figured it out though and passed the Quarter Drift. On to the Reverse 180.

Pete thinks he should have done this one because Mickey drives like a grandma, but it was his turn so he's on it. Good attitude, but I hope it doesn't cost them. Rob is up for the Bartenders, and still no smile. C'mon Rob, give us something. Jinder passed stage one as Meaghan starts on stage two, and quickly aces it.

The Olympians are now on their way to the Atwater Market to find their next clue. Alain can't believe that Meaghan beat him at his own game. Then again, remember the hockey challenge? Alain continues to fail and he's starting to get angry about it, which is making it worse. Doesn't help that Jinder has also moved on, only to fail stage two. On his next attempt Jinder nails it and he and Sukhi are off to the market.

Mickey passed the Quarter Drift and the girls have arrived at the Atwater Market, only to forget to reread the clue. Alain finally passes the Quarter Drift, as does unsmiling Rob. The girls reread the clue and find the cluebox just as Sukhi & Jinder arrive. Both teams decide to attempt the Fast Forward and make their way to the Parisian Laundry, rather than doing the Detour, but then Natalie & Meaghan decide against it and go with the Detour, leaving Sukhi & Jinder on their own at the Fast Forward.

This let's Detour is either Flamed, in which teams must locate the Espace Verre Gallery and try their hand at glass beading . . . Or Grilled, where teams must make their way to the Lachine Canal and locate the Le Cheese food stand where they'll need to study and sample ten different grilled cheese sandwiches, then run 50 meters down to Le Cheese truck and identify the sandwiches. The girls decide to do Grilled. I'm thinking that the bead task would take less time, but it depends how good you are with melting glass.

Mickey passes the Reverse 180, while Alain fails again. Audrey refuses to watch and I agree with her, it's gotta be painful. They've dropped from first to fourth, and then fifth as Rob passes the Reverse 180. Apparently that's all it took to get Alain to focus as he passed right afterwards. Off to the market they go.

The girls start sampling the sandwiches while other teams have gotten stuck in traffic, including Sukhi & Jinder who are trying desperately to get to the Fast Forward. All the other teams have decided to do Grilled, but then Ryan & Rob consider the Fast Forward and decide to switch. Speaking of switching, Alain & Audrey figure the glass beading will take less time and also switch. That leaves the Olympians and the Dudes at the Grilled Cheese challenge.

Natalie feels they're dong it the wrong way and that one of them should do the white cheeses and the other do the orange cheeses, but Meaghan doesn't want to switch because she thinks she's figured out her five. Maybe they need to work with the Dudes and break this up further but so far that's not happening. Meanwhile, Sukhi & Jinder have arrived at the laundry only to find that it's an art gallery with an art school on the upper level.

The Fast Forward is actually pretty easy, all they have to do is pick an artist and strike a pose until the artist has completed their masterpiece. Oh yeah, there's a small catch that the teams don't know about . . . by the end of the session both team members will be "Full Monty" in order to complete the task. If at any time they decide they're too uncomfortable they can get dressed and return to choose one of the Detours.

Sukhi & Jinder think this task is way too easy and can't believe no one else tried for it, until Ryan & Rob show up. Over at Espace Verre Gallery Alain & Audrey realize that glass beading will take a long time when they start melting glass, but Pete thinks he's finally got his cheese so he and Mickey make the 50 meter dash, only to get 6/10. But which six? The Olympians didn't do any better. When one started talking the other forgot what she said. Back to the samplers.

Time for the shoe to drop as Sukhi & Jinder are now asked to strip down to their underwear, and Sukhi's a little concerned she's in a thong. Not remembering if she shaved is the least of her worries. Ryan & Rob are also asked to disrobe as Sukhi keeps saying they're almost done in an effort to get the Bartenders to move back to the Detour. That's not happening. As Ryan disrobes we learn he's a cancer survivor and that he's earned to stick to things he attempts without regret. At least he has more personality than Rob.

Both the Olympians and the Dudes are on their third attempts and both still only have 6/10. None of them want another mouthful of cheese and have begun tearing the bread off to limit the excess food. I guess no matter how much someone loves grilled cheese, there's a point where it's just too much. At Espace Verre Alain & Audrey have only had one of their beads pass and now need to recreate the other four.

The other shoe has dropped at the laundry as Sukhi & Jinder are asked to remove their underwear. This just went from awkward to really uncomfortable. JInder doesn't know if he can do it, but he does . . . telling Sukhi not to look forward. I don't think he needs to tell her that. Appropriate to be celebrating his birthday in his birthday suit. They complete the Fast Forward and can now make their way to Le Belvédere of the Science Center at the Old Port of Montreal and search the roof for Jon and the Pit Stop.

Ryan & Rob are informed that the Fast Forward has been taken so now they need to race back to choose a Detour. The Olympians are up to 8/10 and so are the Dudes, but they still don't know which ones are right. At least the glass bead task lets you know which ones are acceptable.

Sukhi & Jinder had no trouble racing to Le Belvédere and are Team Number 1. Nicely done, and I'm sure that'll upset all those viewers who don't like them for some reason. They also win a flight to Milan, Italy with Air Canada and $3,000.00 on their Scotiabank Card.

Back at Le Cheese the girls ask the Dudes if they want to help each other but the boys decline. Pete knows they're really close and on their next attempt they nail it. They're now off to the Square-Victoria Metro Station entrance on Rue Saint Antoine to find their next clue. Natalie & Meaghan finally get it on their 10th attempt and they're off on the Dude's tails.

Mickey & Pete meanwhile have made it to the Metro and the next clue leads them to the Pit Stop. What, no time for another task? Alain & Audrey finally get their last bead and they're heading the same way. The Olympians see Mickey & Pete at Le Belvédere and try to pass them on the way to the Pit Stop, but the boys have just enough of a lead. Mickey & Pete are Team Number 2 and Natalie & Meaghan are Team Number 3. The Dudes have stepped up their game just like they said.

Alain & Audrey pass Ryan & Rob at the Cheese task on their way to the Metro. The Bartenders are sure they're not going home today, but it's not looking good. Alain & Audrey are Team Number 4 and they're still in it, but it's pretty obvious the home field was not an advantage.

Back at the Detour, after 32 attempts to get the right cheese, Ryan & Rob decide to switch Detours and head over to Espace Verre. It's dark, late, and they know they're last but they intend to finish, which they eventually do. They are the last team to arrive and it's time to repack their bags for the next leg of the race, as this one was another non-elimination leg. Somebody really likes these boys. Maybe they're waiting for Rob to smile.

Next week teams are off to Charlottetown, P.E.I. for a chance to step back in time, while others get to step in something completely different. Well, not so much. Add in a human horse race and things could get really fun. Be sure to catch our video recap in the next 48 hours, but no need to watch for our exit interview because there won't be one. See you real soon.