I have a new topic for all to think about. It is alliances and how they impact an Amazing Race. My raw material really comes from Amazing Race Asia 3 ep. 3 in the coins task, but it applies to AR13 as well since some teams are forming them.
I think that the sharing of a result like the coins order in the tray by Bernie/Henry when they left should not be allowed to be shared. Part of the fun of an Amazing Race is to have teams forced to deal with unusual situations. if they can have an alliance partner provide them with an instant answer, it is much less interesting for us viewers. I definitely feel that any physical challenges should involve no helping by other teams. The one that comes to mind is Uchenna in London helping Meredith and Gretchen with a heavy boat shell. What do you think?
I in general disagree and I think a good example would be All Stars, when Mary gave Charla (as Joyce gave it to Ian as well)the correct answer to the roadblock clue in the 2nd episode. I always liked that (in the season 7 example) that Uchenna couldn't carry Meredith's boat). My ideal for alliances is Tyler & JAmes and Rob & Kimberly. They didn't give help on tasks, but they helped each other in navigation, flights, and plans of attacks.
Now some would be harder to stop, say a task was like the follow a seat of clues to get to the next clue (AR 2, in Australia), clearly without even saying anything one team could simply follow the other , and thus by pass the need to ask locals themselves or to figure out the clues and how to get their.
But in general, I do agree on tasks it should be one teams efforts.