Amazing Race 15 Episode 5 Recap

Engaged Couple Lance and Keri Eliminated in Dubai, U.A.E.

Oct 18, 2009

The 15th season of The Amazing Race continues as teams head to Dubai and tackle the scorching heat of the desert and the extreme coldness of an indoor ski facility.

In Episode 5 of The Amazing Race 15, titled “I’m Like Ricky Bobby,” teams traveled to Dubai where they searched for water amidst an endless desert and built snowmen inside an indoor ski facility. The first and only Fast Forward also appeared, as one team sped around a racecar track to claim first place. Here’s how it all went down:

Next Destination: Dubai, U.A.E.

Departing from the fourth pit stop at Wat Phnom in Cambodia, teams received a clue instructing them to fly 3300 miles to the Persian Gulf and find the world’s tallest building. They had to figure out that their destination was the Burj Dubai in Dubai, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. Once there, they had to sign up for one of two groups to ride an elevator to the 124th floor of the building.

Ericka immediately figured out that Dubai was the next destination, while Sam and Dan thought that Persian Gulf was a country. Some teams tried unsuccessfully to book flights over the internet, but all teams ended up on a flight to Dubai through Bangkok.

Burj Dubai

Teams arrived at a fountain outside of the Burj Dubai and signed up for a departure the next morning. Teams departing at 5:30 a.m. were Maria and Tiffany, Brian and Ericka, Sam and Dan, and Meghan and Cheyne. Teams departing at 5:45 a.m. were Mika and Canaan, Lance and Keri, “Flight Time” and “Big Easy,” and Gary and Matt.

Mika was afraid because she thought that teams might have to jump off the top of the building, but was relieved to find out they just had to retrieve a clue.

Once at the top of the building, teams received a clue instructing them to make their way to a parking structure at the Dubai Mall, find a parked car, and drive themselves to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. They then had to take a 4x4 shuttle through the desert.

Teams also received a clue to the first and only Fast Forward on the Race. Meghan and Cheyne decided to take advantage of this opportunity.

Fast Forward: Dubai Autodrome Race and Drive Center

In order to receive the Fast Forward, the team had to find the Dubai Autodrome, the only race track of its type in the Persian Gulf. One team member then had to drive a racecar over 100 miles/hour and complete one lap around the track in 45 seconds or less. An excited Cheyne completed the lap in just over 40 seconds, proudly proclaiming that he likes to drive fast like Ricky Bobby.

Roadblock: Who thinks they can beat the desert heat?

On their way to the parking garage, Lance and Keri went the wrong way again, while all the other teams quickly found their marked cars. Mika and Canaan followed the Globetrotters for most of the way, but then took an opposite turn. At the same time, Lance and Keri took the wrong exit on the highway, putting both of these teams behind the others.

At the Roadblock, one team member had to search the desert for water in urns and bring the water to a camel. Teams struggled in the scorching heat of the desert and had a difficult time finding the urns. Many urns didn’t even contain water, which made the Roadblock even harder to complete. Brian was the first to find water and told Tiffany and Dan where to go to fill up their bags.

Tiffany and Dan worked together, while Matt made up a significant amount of time, finishing just behind the first group. Lance and Keri and Mika and Canaan remained at the back of the pack, and the two men squared off against each other for water and last place.

When teams completed the Roadblock, they had to travel to Ski Dubai, a huge indoor ski resort. As they were driving away, Maria ran over a pole and broke the radiator on her vehicle. Sam and Dan decided to wait with Tiffany and Maria until they received a replacement vehicle.

Detour: Build a Snowman or Find a Snowman

At the ski resort, teams received a clue to their detour. The choice was “Build a Snowman” or “Find a Snowman.”

In “Build a Snowman,” teams had to carry snow from indoors to outdoors and build a traditional snowman before the snow melted. In “Find a Snowman,” teams had to take a chairlift to the top of a snowy mountain, sled back down, and search through mounds of snow for a tiny snowman. They then had to deliver it to a polar bear to receive their next clue.

Most teams initially decided to find a snowman. Brian and Ericka found one first, while Tiffany and Maria, Gary and Matt, and Sam and Dan struggled. All three teams decided to switch to the other task, while Harlem Globetrotters “Flight Time” and “Big Easy” found a snowman shortly after.

After completing the task, teams received a clue telling them to travel to the Souk Madinat Jumeirah, their next pit stop.

Once again, it came down to a showdown between last-place teams Mika and Canaan and Lance and Keri. After getting lost yet again, Lance and Keri arrived at the Roadblock last and Mika and Canaan had already built their snowman. A frustrated Lance wanted to kick his snowman over but decided against it.

Fifth Pit Stop: Amphitheatre at Souk Madinat Jumeirah

Having won the Fast Forward, Cheyne and Meghan were the first to arrive at the pit stop and won a trip to Jamaica from Travelocity. The rest of the teams arrived in the following order:

When to Watch

The Amazing Race 15 airs Sundays at 8 p.m. EST on CBS. For more information on the new season, see the show’s official Web site at CBS.com.

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