11 new teams of racers sprinted into action in last night's premiere of The Amazing Race 14, in its new timeslot on SABC3 at 19h30.
The race kicked off from an army training base in Los Angeles and sent teams to Switzerland, with some teams opting to fly through Milan to get there.
Before they set off Phil's signature eyebrow informed everyone of the exhaustion that lies ahead of them, which includes eight elimination Pit Stops. The race lasts 22-days this season and will take teams through nine countries, across 64 000 kilometres.
Countries they'll be visiting include Romania and Siberrria - the first time the show's travelled to them. Another first is
Luke Adams: the first deaf contestant to participate in the series.
As everyone lined up at the start in LA, they pretended to look fit and enthusiastic - while worrying more about everyone else than themselves. Phil saw them off and then chillaxed (in a flashy jet probably) while they huffed and pushed through their first flights.
In Switzerland they tackled their first Roadblack: a priest who forced them to jump the second highest bungee in the world. They then tried to transport heartburn-cheese in Swiss carriers and reached the first Pit Stop by listening out for yodeling Swiss types.
The winning team of the leg were Luke and his mom Margie. The losers: dating couple Preston and Jennifer, who are so badly mismatched they didn't have a clue why they'd sucked so much.
Here's a who who of the teams to help you get to know who needs the biggest smack as they race to the second leg:
Amanda Blackledge and Kris Klicka
Dating Couple
This young couple who met more three years ago hopes to spend the rest of their lives together, but before taking their relationship to the next level they are looking forward to sharing this experience together.
Amanda is a communications student at Cal State San Marcos and Kris works as a sales representative for a communications company. Neither has traveled extensively but they are eager to see the world.
Brad and Victoria Hunt
Married Couple
Married for nine years, Brad and Victoria may not always see eye-to-eye, but they do make a dynamic team. After having major foot surgery, Victoria was told she could never run again. She is now out to prove that anything is possible.
This physically fit team hopes to gain a lifetime of stories and a little bit of glue to reinforce their bond.
Cara Rosenthal and Jaime Edmondson
Former NFL Cheerleaders
Cara and Jaime met three years ago while cheerleading for the NFL's Miami Dolphins. But don't be fooled by their looks, these two women are as tough as they come.
Jaime is a former police officer and Cara is planning to attend law school.
Christie Volkmer and Jodi Wincheski
Flight Attendants
These two savvy flight attendants met while working on a Southwest Airlines flight six years ago and they made an instant connection. Both are extremely competitive.
Will their extensive knowledge of the airline industry prove to be enough of an advantage to bring home the million dollars?
Jennifer and LaKisha Hoffman
Sisters
These two former Division 1 collegiate athletes look forward to becoming the first ever all female Team to win The Amazing Race. Both attended the University of Louisville where LaKisha played basketball and Jennifer played volleyball.
Both sisters are extremely competitive and athletic, but aside from their physical prowess, the similarities between the two are hard to find.
Jennifer Hopka and Preston McCamy (Eliminated)
Dating Couple
Jennifer and Preston have been dating for over a year but they couldn't be more different. Preston is adventurous and Jennifer would rather hang out with friends, but as a team they hope to bring out the best in each other and solidify their relationship.
They have broken up and made up on several occasions and, while she's ready to get engaged, he has some reservations.
Linda and Steve Cole
Married Couple
This husband and wife team met when Steve went with a date to Linda's house for a party. Linda asked her brother to keep his date occupied while she asked Steve out.
They have been together ever since and married for 17 years. They both have children from previous marriages, but treat all of them as their very own.
Luke and Margie Adams
Mother and Son
This mother/son team is determined to show the world that nothing can stop them from living out their dreams. They enjoy hiking and traveling together and share a strong bond.
Luke has been deaf since the age of two and Margie became his link to the hearing world. He uses sign language to communicate.
Mark and Michael Munoz
Brothers/Stuntmen
This team of brothers has been competing - against everyone else and each other - their entire lives.
Standing at 4'9", they chose similar paths in their lives and after years of surfing big waves and racing horses around a track, they're eager to run the race of a lifetime with one another.
Mel and Mike White
Father and Son
Mike and Mel had a pretty typical family life until Mike was 11 years old, which is when Mel told the family that he was gay. Mike works as a writer, director and actor in Los Angeles.
His writing credits include the feature films "Nacho Libre" and "School of Rock," in which he also starred opposite Jack Black.
Mel, a gay rights activist, has worked as a writer, professor, filmmaker and a pastor and is eager to have a once in a lifetime experience with his youngest child.
Tammy and Victor Jih
Sibling Lawyers
If they can manage to set aside sibling rivalries long enough to use their most valuable attribute - their intelligence - this brother/sister duo, both with Harvard Law degrees, might just have what it takes to outsmart the competition and be a force to be reckoned with.