Team Report.
Dustin and Kandice ran a very nice leg with one definite problem and most likely an edited out traveling problem.
They navigated well, the were quick to get directions before leaving the airport, they did well on the swim, the managed to shake Rob & Kim by finding an alternate route. they made the smartest Detour choice.
Really strong leg. The only problems were: 1. Hitting another car and getting into an accident. This could have been a very serious problem. One of course is the obvious chance of being injured. But also if they had to wait for a replacement car they most likely would have been delayed even further. Or if the car was at first driveable but later had problems and had to wait for a replacement car. With only at the end of the leg a 5 minute lead over Tyler & James that really could have hurt them much more.
They also apparently lost a considerable lead in completing the detour significantly before either Rob & Kimberly or Tyler & James yet this lead (which probably was at least half an hour shrunk to just 5 and 9 minutes. So, since the car was still driveable in the next leg by Lyn & Karlyn, I have to assume that they got lost to a for a period of probably 15 -20 minutes somewhere toward the end of the leg.
There interactions at the sirport were a little rude, but I will give points to using an Atlas to confirm a route (visual and audio confirmation). And while it is a tactical error allowing helping the strongest team, they really, really do not get along with Lyn & Karlyn. They also handled that conflict fairly well.
Tyler & James. Often hen leaving an airport teams stop elsewhere for directions, this actually hurt the team by taking far longer then any other team to get the correct location. They got to the harbor probably about 20 minutes after the lead teams, but made up a significant amount on the back pack who unwisely worked almost this entire leg as a solid group. Driving to the Post office the team got briefly lost, and they made a more detour choice (their 2cd of this season Rice painting anyone, anyone?) But when they saw Rob & Kimberly switch tasks they quickly switched as well. And while they made up some time by passing their boat, they lost that time looking for the mask and sail on he Island. But between finishing the detour and getting to the Pit Stop the team did quite nicely passing Rob and Kimberly and ending up only 5 minutes behind Dustin and Kandice. Small errors that were saved by the ability of the guys to do tasks well.
Rob & Kimberly started off well, by immediately getting direction, but forgot them almost immediately and were left with following Dustin and Kandice's car. This got them to the Harbor where Kim showed that she could swim by beating both BQ's and Rob. Leaving for the Post Office they again followed Dustin & Kandice who managed to lose them. They also ended up having car problems causing them to lose a considerable amount of time (usually anywhere between 20-40 minutes). After getting their car they had trouble finding the Post Office and were solidly in last place. When arriving at the detour and finding all 5 teams having trouble they very wisely switched tasks. And while their boat was slower then Tyler & James they did managed to find the mast & Sail faster. They headed to the Pit Stop in 2cd, but also got lost doing this letting Tyler & James beat them to the mat. Thi team really needs to start navigating better. But besides that problem and their constant arguing this leg, they actually ran a good leg, that was severely hurt by things outside their control.
Erwin & Godwin, oh boy where do I start. These are two nice guys, who are smart and physically fit and are racing like complete idiots. In this episode Godwin mentions that they are not just trying to bring two weaker teams into the final three with them, but that they are stronger as a group then those racing individually. Well as a smart guy, I would like Godwin to point out a single time that the Backpack (now six pack) have managed to be stronger then those three individual teams.
He can get back to me on that one.
And this leg is where they were taking their alliance overboard to a degree that I have never witnessed before on a race where only one team can win.
At every stage of this leg, Erwin and Godwin kept their lead over the others and waited for the other teams to catch up. This is unacceptable racing. Where they waiting because they didn't know the location? No. Were they waiting for any special skill of their friends? No. A complete failure as far as racing strategy goes.
Lyn & Karlyn, out of the three teams in the six pack this is the only team that has any real clue on how to race. That having friends and assistance is nice, but that when all is said and done, those people are your competition. Lyn and Karlyn get knocked for terrible attitude during this leg and how they interacted with the ticket agent helping Rob and Kimberly (see clips) before getting into it with Dustin & Kandice, Tyler & James and the more ticket agent. While no one likes it when people cut, it isn't against the rule (any claim that it isn't fair is incorrect), they also had no business confronting the ticket agent out of this. If they are helping a client and that client says these people are with me, he or she is going to help those people. They had difficulty with the roadblock that wasn't aired. They also had minor navigation problems getting to the pit stop.
David & Mary, with another last place finish should obviously no they have raced long past their own ability to keep up. They depended on following Erwin & Godwin through almost the entire leg, so we have no idea on their navigation ability. They also were the last team to switch tasks at the detour. Now normally this is a a mistake, if you are last stick it out and take the chance to gain some time. But lucky for them the other members of the six pack had difficulty finding the mast and sail giving them a chance to catch up. But being physically the slowest of the three six pack teams almost guarantees they will be last out of that group to reach the Pit Stop.