CBS has revealed the identities of the 11 teams who will be competing on The Amazing Race's twelfth season when it premieres on Sunday, November 4 at 8PM ET/PT.
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Unlike most previous The Amazing Race editions, the cast doesn't contain any young all-male teams (five of The Amazing Race's nine previous non-Family Edition, non-All-Stars editions have been won by all-male teams, including the two most recent editions). Instead, the cast includes three different all-female teams -- friends, sisters, and a married lesbian couple -- that will be trying to become The Amazing Race's first-ever all-female team winners.
Less impressive is the cast's geographic diversity (or lack thereof). Fifteen of the season's 22 racers are either from or currently reside in California -- a remarkably high percentage, even by typical reality casting standards.
Over the course of 30 days, the teams will embark on a 30,000-mile trek that will include visits to five countries The Amazing Race has never filmed in before, including Ireland, Lithuania and Croatia.
The teams will compete in a series of physical and mental challenges at every destination, and the team that is the farthest behind at the conclusion of each leg being eliminated. The first team to cross the competition's finish line will claim the show's $1 million grand prize.
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CBS had renewed The Amazing Race for a twelfth edition in May, but announced the five-time Emmy-Award winning reality competition series wouldn't be part of its initial 2007-2008 primetime programming lineup and would instead air as midseason programming. This fall marked the first time in three years that The Amazing Race did not premiere as part of the network's initial fall schedule launch.
The 11 teams competing on The Amazing Race 12 -- as well as their CBS-supplied profile information -- are:
 "Father/Daughter" Ronald and Christina Hsu
Ronald is a 58-year-old vice-president of sales from Tacoma, WA. Christina is a 26-year-old political analyst from Washington DC who is originally from Tacoma. CBS says: This father/daughter team is certain they can win the Race by relying on their intellect. Christina's main goal on the Race is to have her father, a self-proclaimed workaholic, stop and smell the roses for once in his life. |
 "Dating Goths" Kynt Cothron and Vyxsin Fiala
Kynt is a 31-year-old and Vyxsin is a 29-year-old. Both work as waiters and hair salon receptionists and reside in Louisville, KY. CBS says: Representing the "Goth" community in Louisville has embedded a strong sense of "us against the world" mentality in these two Racers. Therefore, don't look for them to fall apart when the chips are down - a trait that will undoubtedly be tested on the Race. |
 "Dating Couple" Lorena Segura and Jason Widener
Lorena is a 27-year-old bartender. Jason is a 33-year-old wedding videographer and actor. Both reside in Sherman Oaks, CA. CBS says: This couple met at a bar over three years ago, quickly started dating, and have been trying to figure out if they really belong together even since. Lorena is from Puerto Rico and Jason hails from Arkansas... and the cultural differences between them has often caused friction in their relationship. Both are running the Race to see if they have what it takes to withstand the pressures of traveling around the world in under 30 days. |
 "Brother/Sister" Azaria and Hendekea Azene
Azaria is a 27-year-old facilities engineer from New Orleans, LA. Hendekea is a 23-year-old aerospace engineer from Torrance, CA. CBS says: This brother/sister team has all the intelligence, wits and skills to win the Race. Although their personality differences could be the X-factor. She describes him as confrontational and emotional, while he describes her as irrational. Both are worried that the big brother/little sister power struggle will rear its ugly head on the Race. |
 "Married Ministers" Kate Lewis and Pat Hendrickson
Kate is a 49-year-old Episcopal clergy member. Pat is a 65-year-old ordained deacon. The couple resides in Thousand Oaks, CA. CBS says: These lesbian Episcopal ministers dated for seven years before tying the knot three years ago. Kate and Pat are ready for the adventure of lifetime - but don't let the collars fool you - they can play dirty too. |
 "Friends" Shana Wall and Jennifer McCall
Shana is a 32-year-old actress. Jennifer is a 32-year-old legal assistant. Both reside in Los Angeles, CA. CBS says: Don't let their good looks fool you - this all-female team is ready to do whatever it takes to bring home the $1 million prize. Shana and Jennifer met six years ago and have been friends ever since. These women are both very competitive and eager to become the first all-female team to win the Race. |
 "Grandfather/Grandson" Donald Jerousek and Nicolas Fulks
Donald is a retired 68-year-old from Elkhorn, WI. Nicolas is a 23-year-old pilot who is originally from Chicago, IL. CBS says: Nicolas started his aviation career at the age of 17 at the University of Illinois and currently works as an airline pilot based out of San Juan. He describes himself as reliable, competitive and goofy. He describes his teammate as rough around the edges and not too accepting of people who go against his advice. |
 "Dating Couple" Jennifer Parker and Nathan Hagstrom
Jennifer is a 23-year-old student from Huntington Beach, CA. Nathan is a 24-year-old volleyball coach from Fountain Valley, CA. CBS says: This athletic couple first met in college while living together with other friends. Both admit they couldn't stand each other at first, but soon grew closer and started dating. Each will tell you that they are soul mates, yet they drive each other crazy. |
 "Newly Dating Couple" Rachel Rosales and TK Erwin
Rachel is a 23-year-old florist and business owner. TK is a 22-year-old substitute teacher. Both reside in Huntington Beach, CA. CBS says: This eccentric couple has only been dating for close to a year. Their mothers were friends while they were growing up in Huntington Beach, CA, yet TK and Rachel had never really spent time together until recently. They always seem to be laughing and they're eager to put their carefree relationship to the test while dealing with the rigors of the Race. |
 "Sisters" Marianna and Julia Ruiz
Marianna is a 25-year-old art gallery manager. Julia is a 26-year-old office production assistant. Both are originally from Miami, FL and currently reside in Los Angeles, CA. CBS says: These feisty sisters describe themselves as best friends and worst enemies, but they're convinced they'll make for an unbeatable team. Julia serves as the problem solver while Marianna is the athlete. Both are super competitive. |
 "Best Friends" Ari Bonas and Staella Gianakakos
Ari is a 21-year-old waiter from Long Beach, CA. Staella is a 23-year-old restaurant manager from Fountain Valley, CA. CBS says: These fun-loving friends are all about having a good time. They hope their laid back approach to the Race will result in the $1 million prize. Ari is not afraid to speak his mind, while Staella is prepared to flirt her way to the front of the pack. |
(Photos credit Robert Voets/CBS) About The Author: Christopher Rocchio
