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BETTER LATE THAN NEVER: THE LINZS TAKE FIRST PLACE

As Teams made their way into the picturesque landscape of Utah, the Linz siblings took the lead over the rival Weaver family, Yielding them in the process, and never looked back to snag their first win on the race. Meanwhile, the Weavers took a wrong turn through the mountains of Utah to wind up in last place. Wanting to be eliminated, the Weavers were disappointed when Phil told them they were still in the race.

TRAILING BEHIND
Departing the Pit Stop in first place at 5:45 am, the Godlewski sisters discovered they needed to drive 136 miles to Monument Valley, Utah, a Navajo tribal park made famous in 1940’s movie westerns by renowned director John Ford, and find John Ford’s Point. Walking to their truck, the sisters also noted the surprise addition of campers attached in the back that would prove difficult to maneuver.

After the Godlewskis stopped for gas, the Linz family took the lead on the way to Monument Valley, but passed up the road leading to John Ford’s Point. The second place Weavers also passed the road, but noticed as the Godlewskis stopped mere feet past the entrance realizing their mistake. When Christine unsuccessfully tried to direct an annoyed Sharon how to back up the truck and trailer, the Weavers, under the guidance of Linda, turned their truck around with ease and entered Monument Valley. By the time the Godlewskis figured out how to turn around with the large trailer attached, the Linz siblings also passed the sisters. A disappointed Sharon remarked, “Shoot guys, we could have been in first if we had turned that corner.”

BIRDSEYE VIEW
Arriving at John Ford’s Point in first place, the Weavers opened their clue to learn that two family members would take a helicopter ride to the summit of Elephant Butte, a tower of rock in the middle of Monument Valley. The helicopter had room for two Teams at a time and was first come, first serve. Because the Linz siblings grabbed the clue before the number, the Godlewski sisters took the spot in the first helicopter with the Weavers, forcing the frustrated Linzes to wait in third place.

As Christine and Sharon Godlewski took in the breathtaking view from the helicopter with Rolly and Rebecca Weaver, the Linzes conspired with Sharon and Tricia Godlewski. Alex lamented, “I want to get in front of that Florida team so bad. Wish there was a Yield.” Sharon reassured them, saying, “Don’t worry guys. We’ll take care of you.”

Landing back on the ground, the Weavers and Godlewskis opened up their clue to learn they had to drive 180 miles to Moab, Utah and find the geological rock formation known as Gemini Bridges.

IF YOU CAN’T SAY SOMETHING NICE…
With the Linzes and Bransens completing the spectacular helicopter ride, all four Teams made their way to Moab, Utah. Along the way, the Weavers complained about the starkness of Utah’s landscape. Rolly remarked, “God must have spent a little less time on this state.” When told that Utah is called the Mormon state, Rachel added, “No wonder it’s so ugly.” After the Linz family passed the annoyed Weavers on the highway to move into first place, Alex quipped, “The wicked witch of the east and her three little monkeys. Somebody’s going to come and drop a house on her head.”

Arriving at Gemini Bridges in first place, the Linz family opened their clue to find a Detour. In this Detour, Teams had to choose between Ride Down and Drop Down. In Ride Down, Teams would choose bikes and ride a six-mile course into Bull Canyon. In Drop Down, Teams needed to complete a two-stage rappel 270-feet down into Bull Canyon.

The excited Linz siblings ran off to begin their descent into Bull Canyon with Tommy rappelling first. Nick joked, “If we lose a family member, it’s going to be him. We’ll turn around and do the bikes.”

GOING DOWN
The Weavers arrived at Gemini Bridges next, but opted to bike into the canyon. Rebecca Weaver immediately had difficulties riding along the soft dirt path. Although Linda stopped to show her how to change gears to make the pedaling easier, Rebecca still complained, screaming, “I hate Utah with a passion!” Meanwhile, the Bransen daughters convinced Wally to rappel. Wally commented, “I have a fear of heights, but they really want the experience and I want them to have the experience.” As a timid Wally took to the cliff, all the Linzes completed their rappel. Opening their clue, the siblings discovered they had to drive 52 miles to Green River State Park where they would spend the night. Their departure time the next morning would depend on the order they arrived, beginning at 7 am with each subsequent team departing 15 minutes after the previous one.

With the Linzes snagging the 7 am departure, the Weavers completed their bike ride en route to claim 7:15 am. Wally Bransen overcame his fear of heights to keep his Team in third place and nabbed a 7:30 am departure. Meanwhile, after a production problem caused them to fall into last place, the Godlewskis settled for 7:45 am.

BEAR NECESSITIES
At 7 am the next morning, the Linz family opened their clue to discover they needed to drive 20 miles to Heber City and find Bart. What teams didn’t know was that Bart was a 1,100 pound trained grizzly bear waiting with their next clue.

The shocked Linz siblings pulled into Heber City and soon realized who Bart was. After the required Yogi Bear impression, the Linzes opened their clue to learn they had to drive 22 miles to Park City and find Utah Olympic Park. Reading that there would be a Yield ahead, the Linzes hurried to the highway, passing the Weavers along the way. Megan said, “That means no mistakes to the Yield.” After getting their clue, the Weaver family, hoping to beat the Linzes to the Yield mat, opted to take a different route from the Linzes to Park City. However, they soon realized that this route was a scenic drive through the mountains. With no place to turn around, the Weavers were now committed to this “long, long cut”. A disappointed Rachel sighed, “Now we have to sit through a Yield.”

TAKING THE PLUNGE
Arriving at Utah Olympic Park in first place, the Linz siblings decided to Yield the Weaver family in hopes of giving enough separation between themselves and the Weavers to finally win a leg. Opening their next clue, the Linzes encountered a Roadblock. In this Roadblock, one Team member had to put on a pair of skis, ride down a 60-foot ramp, and do a ski jump into a pool of water.

As Nick put on his wetsuit and skis, the Bransen family arrived at the park to the cheers of the other Linz siblings. A stunned Beth asked, “What happened to Florida?” With Lindsay suiting up, Nick tried to show off for his family, sailing down the ramp and attempting a full back flip into the water. However, he couldn’t rotate all the way around in time and landed flat on his face. Through the laughter, Megan asked, “How’s that face feel?” After Nick emerged from the pool, the Linzes opened their clue that directed them to the Pit Stop at the Salt Lake City Public Library. Running back to their truck, the excited Linzes crossed paths with the Godlewskis, shouting, “We Yielded them! And they’re still not here!”

NICE GUYS FINISH LAST?
While Lindsay Bransen and Christine Godlewski each completed making the ski jump for their Teams, the Weaver family still hadn’t finished their drive through the mountains. The writing was on the wall for the Weavers; they would finish in last place. Linda told her upset children, “Just accept it, we’re done. We’re done and we’ll be eliminated.” Rachel commented, “We’re already the last nice family and we’re gone. People who win will probably spend it on a new nose and bigger boobs.”

Arriving in Salt Lake City, the Linz siblings pulled up to the City Library and ran to the rooftop with Tommy shouting, “I’m coming Phil!” After finally stepping onto the mat in first place, the Linzes learned they had won a trip for four from Travelocity to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where they would stay at the Teton Mountain Lodge.

THE OUTSIDERS STILL IN IT
With the Bransens and Godlewskis finishing in second and third place respectively, the Weavers arrived at the Yield mat, cheering wildly and joking, “We’re the first ones here.” After Rolly performed the ski jump, the Weavers piled into their truck for whatever fate awaited them with Phil.

As they approached the library, Rebecca and Linda both agreed that they just wanted to be eliminated, adding, “This is the worst day ever.” At the mat, however, Phil informed the family that this was a non-elimination leg to which they had almost no reaction at all. When Phil asked why they weren’t happy to still be in the race, Rebecca said, “It’s like us against them.” Phil tried to encourage the defeated team by reminding them that teams had come from last place to win. He added, “You’re a strong team and you just got to keep with that strength and go all the way to the end.” Phil’s statement seemed to work as Linda later commented, “When Phil gave us words of encouragement, it just gave me life. We can come back from this. We’re not ready to stop now, we’re ready to win.”