Amanda Blackledge (23); Kris Klicka (24)Hometown: San Diego, Calif.
Occupation: Amanda (Student); Kris (Sales Representative)
Relationship: Dating
This young couple who met more than 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. Their favorite shared memory is falling in love with each other over bonfires at the beach accompanied by wine and s’mores. They plan on creating many more memories together on the Race and are hoping to fall in love all over again.
Amanda is a communications student at Cal State San Marcos, but is working at a tanning salon until she graduates. She describes herself as outgoing, talkative and generous. When asked what her biggest pet peeve about her teammate is Amanda says that Kris occasionally doesn’t seem interested when she is talking to him.
Kris, who was once almost attacked by a bear in Alaska, enjoys hunting, fishing and snow boarding. He currently works as a sales representative for a communications company. He has not had the opportunity to travel much outside of the United States and looks forward to the Race as a chance to explore other cultures and compete against the game's best. He hopes the other Teams are as hungry to win as he is.
Amanda and Kris both have a tendency to be stubborn when it comes to a disagreement, but they realize they must be more open to ideas and solutions from one another in order to propel their team into winning the one million dollars. They feel this is a perfect opportunity to work on their shortcomings and any other communication issues they have. Amanda and Kris have so much in common that they complete each others sentences. One shared characteristic is the ability to make friends wherever they go, which can come in handy when racing around the globe.
Brad Hunt (52); Victoria Hunt (47)
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Occupation: Brad (Distribution Dispatcher); Victoria (Tax Manager)
Relationship: Married
Married for nine years, Brad and Victoria may not always see eye-to-eye, but they do make a dynamic team. They both have children from previous marriages, this is Victoria’s third and Brad’s second. Both endearingly concede that they are “stuck with each other.”
Victoria was born with hip dysplasia and spent much of her childhood in hospitals, body casts and crutches. Following a recent major foot surgery, she was told that she could never run again. She is now out to prove that anything is possible. She claims that the biggest difference between her and Brad is that she is an optimist while he is cynical. However, she believes they share the same desires and like to be challenged both mentally and physically. Their motto is, "life is not a spectator sport and therefore you should always enjoy each moment that life gives you." Victoria works as a tax manager and Brad is a distribution dispatcher.
Brad describes himself as intelligent, straight forward and resourceful. One of his proudest achievements is overcoming drugs and alcohol addiction and remaining clean and sober for 25 years and counting. Brad enjoys pistol shooting, weightlifting and gardening.
This physically fit Team hopes to gain a lifetime of stories and a little bit of glue to reinforce their bond. Regardless of whether they win or lose, they already feel a sense of accomplishment by just being chosen to compete in the show.
Cara Rosenthal (26); Jaime Edmondson (29)
Hometown: Boca Raton, Fla./Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Occupation: Cara (Law Student); Jaime (Former Police Officer)
Relationship: Former NFL Cheerleaders
Cara and Jaime met four years ago while trying out for the Miami Dolphins cheerleading squad. The two made an instant connection and have been friends ever since. Cara is planning to attend law school and Jaime is a former police officer.
Cara, a graduate of UCLA, is currently working for a non-profit fundraising organization benefiting individuals with mental disabilities. She prides herself upon being a loyal and devoted friend. Cara even deferred attending her first year of law school just to support Jaime's dream to run in this Race around the world. Cara is a true thespian who enjoys dancing and singing. She describes herself as compassionate, intelligent and outgoing.
Jaime comes from a family of police officers. Following in her mother and father's footsteps, she graduated from the police academy and donned the uniform for a few years. Jaime is an avid animal lover and volunteers at a non profit no kill shelter for dogs. She was also a cheerleader for the Miami Dolphins for six years and was chosen to represent the squad at the 2007 Pro Bowl. Jaime enjoys reading and traveling and describes herself as adventurous, passionate and witty. Cara's biggest pet peeve about Jaime is that she tends to be stubborn and a bit of a control freak, while Jaime claims that Cara is too nice and needs to stop worrying about keeping the peace. Both Jaime and Cara have a highly competitive nature and a need to win.
Don't put it past these two to use their good looks to their advantage for a shot at the million dollars and the chance to become the first ever all female team to win the Race.
Christie Volkmer (37); Jodi Wincheski (40)
Hometown: Choctaw, Okla./ Houston, Texas
Occupation: Flight Attendants
Relationship: Flight Attendants
These two savvy flight attendants met while working on a Southwest Airlines flight six years ago where they made an instant connection. Both admit to being extremely competitive and determined to win.
Christie and Jodi agree they have different personalities, but are confident these differences will be used as a strength on the Race. Christie claims that she is more analytical while Jodi is the reactive one. Her biggest pet peeve about Jodi is that she reacts too fast, while Jodi’s pet peeve with Christie is that she asks too many questions.
Christie, who recently married, describes herself as realistic, opportunistic and street-smart. Her primary motivation for running the Race is to challenge herself and to have an experience of a lifetime before she settles down and starts a family.
Jodi is using this experience to test what she is made of. As a divorced, single mother, she lives for her daughter and wants to prove to her that you can accomplish any goal you set your mind to. She describes herself as strong-willed, determined and independent. Jodi enjoys beach volleyball, snow skiing and traveling.
During their 25 years of combined traveling experience, Christie and Jodi have become well-versed in all the ins-and-outs of the travel industry and they’re eager to put that valuable knowledge to good use.
Jennifer Hopka (26); Preston McCamy (28)
Hometown: Columbia, S.C.
Occupation: Jennifer (Student); Preston (Software Engineer)
Relationship: Dating
Jennifer and Preston have been dating for nearly two years. In some ways, they have similar personalities but, for the most part, they couldn’t be more different. Preston is a laid back guy that is used to sticking to a routine, while Jennifer hates planning and enjoys spontaneity. One of the qualities they share is that they are both very strong minded individuals and, as a team, they hope to bring out the best in each other and solidify their relationship.
On several occasions they have broken up and made up. Jennifer is ready to plan for her future by either moving forward in her relationship with Preston or ending it and moving forward in her life without him, while Preston has taken the step of moving from Birmingham, Ala. to Columbia, S.C. to be closer to her but still has some reservations about what the future may bring.
Jennifer is currently studying nursing during the day and bartending at night. This self-described driven, outspoken and independent woman enjoys traveling, hanging out with friends and shopping. Preston is a software engineer who enjoys working out, hanging out with friends and watching Auburn football. Both are very active and competitive and they feel these qualities will help them work well as a team.
1 comments:
Ug. Seriously, how many former cheerleaders are they going to put on the race?
Judging purely from their pictures and profiles, I predict either foot-surgery team or gay-dad team will be the first to be eliminated.
I can't wait!
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