The final day. The final legs of the race. The final challenges. It has all come down to this moment.

Blood, Sweat, Tears, Anger, Happiness, Pain, Excitement, Exhaustion and more...it would all be worth it. If your team finished first on this day.

What teams were left? Well: Team Grey (Ben and Amanda), Team White (Chad and Jessica) and Team Green (Simeon and Karlie)

These three teams have managed to out play all other competitors and rightfully earned their spot in the final race. So who won you may ask? Well buckle up and read on as this day was as intense as they come!

Have you buckled up? No? We'll wait...

So, 9:00 a.m rolls around and the sun is shining, the birds are singing and the stomachs churning! As soon as the team received their clue the were off to the lovely Park City! Once they arrive at the resort, teams had to be lifted to the top of the mountain and then race down the Alpine Slide! This cement slide has been the cause of many accidents if you aren't to careful in handling the turns. They rushed down the hill like a bunch of wild turkeys rolled up in a ball and slingshot by an over zealous and uber-powerful ninja. Team Gray and White finished first, but Team Green was right on their tail. They rushed back to their cars to head down to their next challenge.

Team Grey seemed to be in the lead as they reached Sandy first. However, teams needed to find the Sandy Civic Center for Trax, which is located relatively close to the South Town Mall. Team Grey headed to the wrong pick up station but that didn't stop them or their gumption to come in first. They would continue to head south until they found the correct one where Kendra B. was waiting for them! However, the multiple stops caused them to fall behind as Team Green and White found the station and took off towards down town Salt Lake City. Team White and Green were on the same train. Team Grey wasn't. They would have to wait 20 min until the next train left. Was this too much time to make up???

Trax led the teams to the newly built City Creek Center where the final stop was located! This multi-block outdoor mall is huge, and with many directions teams could take, it was still anybodies game. Team Green headed west. Team White - East. Both teams searching frantically in corners and hallways in hopes to see the Finale crew waiting for them...or just some free food. We still don't know their true intentions.

All of a sudden Team White was right below the check in area. They were going back and forth and it was almost certain that they would look up and see the check in, but no. They headed the other direction. Ahhh. This is getting intense. You could cut the tension with a butter knife (it wasn't super thick yet...but it will be!) Team Green and Grey still not is sight and then Team White returns and walks practically right under us. Silence barely keeps as we are all ready to break out and cheer as they were so close. They ran up the stairs, only 20 feet from the finish line when all of a sudden Team Green shows up at the top of the bridge 60 feet away in the opposite direction. Both teams are so close to the finish who knows whose game it would be. Team Green spots us and starts to run, though Team White was still closer. They quickly turn around and see us and start to run to the finish (Now you will need a sharper knife to cut this chaotic tense awesomeness...a butter knife will not suffice any longer). Everyone starts to scream and it being so close, you could not have made for a better finish. It was perfect. Excitement and more melted in to every ounce of our bodies...especially the racers. Finally, Team Green made it to the final location first as Team White arrived only a devastating and literal second after.

TEAM GREEN: CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU ARE THE MILANO AMAZING RACE CHAMPIONS!

Team White a close second and Team Grey in third.

The cheering and fun got so loud that the nice 80-year-old security guard came to let us know:

"You guys can be happy, just be a little quieter."

We obeyed...and laughed...and cheered and were so happy for Team Green. The ending could not have been any closer. If you missed out on this, don't worry. We got it on camera. Thanks to Emory Cook Productions, we have the following video to show the finale of the race. But before you watch it. We'd like to take a moment and thank all the teams for their participation and efforts. Better luck next time! Oh yes....there WILL be a next time.

This was an amazing journey. Now go work out and eat a lot of donuts to prepare for The Milano Amazing Race 2!

Don't forget to tip your local Amazing Race Host.

Saturday. June 16. 8:30 a.m. Only five teams left.

This day was created to be a crazy one. Anticipation filled the air of what was to come next. Little did they know they were heading up Provo Canyon to float on down the 45 degree river. With the High Adventure bus taking them up at 10. Teams had some time to get ready...and get psyched out. The chill morning air combated with the warm sun and they waited next to the bus. Many thought they were clever and tried to change individual tubes to a raft. Mike put the kibosh on that one pretty darn quick. And then they were off.

The river float usually takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours...but these teams sped on down as fast they could and developed quite the arm rashes to prove it! Well, all teams other than the last team:

TEAM BLACK...unfortunately, since they were the last to arrive, were eliminated from the race.

Team Gray finished this leg of the race first!

The first four teams had to run around Vivian Park to find their hidden next clue. Once they found it, they were off to the Bean Museum on BYU campus. Hopefully dead things don't bother them!

The Bean Museum proved quite the challenge as teams had to solve a 9 question scavenger hunt around the building. The Endangered Species list made the teams search many places for the answers and once they finished that they met  the Mr. Emory Cook to double check their answers. Once they've proved their scavenger hunt skills, they were off to the finish line at Rock Canyon Park.

Team Orange (Who was using an alternate [Mitch Tate] as Rachel wasn't able to make it) came in first

...

Followed by Team Green

...

Then Grey

...

Which means Team White....since you were the last to arrive, you should be eliminated from the race.

HOWEVER, There were some discrepancies in some of the rules and Team Orange had to prove their place. A small head-to-head challenge was then issued between Orange and White to make sure the right team was allowed into the final event!

This event was held Wednesday night at Milano. Teams started at a determined location and ran to a central area where the Gettysburg Address was there waiting for them. They had to memorize however much they could and run back to their spot to write it down word for word. They could go back and forth as many times as they desired and 30 minutes later and a close close close finish. Team White came out on top! Congratulations Team White for making it into the final!

Team Orange: You dominated day one, but unfortunately, you have been eliminated from the race.

This Saturday will host the final leg of the Milano Amazing Race! We want all to be at the finish line cheering in our teams. If you want the details, email Sarah Harris at: sarahraeharris@gmail.com or just call her!

This has been an exciting race so far and the final will not disappoint!

The mind is a powerful tool. And that was exactly what teams needed to use on day 2. The evening came and went almost as fast as a Little Ceasars pizza purchase. These contestants were hot and ready to get going with new challenges and clues!

Aside from Day 1's 1st place finishers (Team Orange), teams were allotted a time delay before the were able to start. Every minute thereafter the next team was able to receive their clue and commence the challenging evening. Little did they know that the challenges they would face would cause them more grief than the physical challenges from last Saturday...or their SAT tests back in middle school.

Challenge 1? A puzzle. But completing the 100 piece puzzle was the easy part. Teams had to carry the completed puzzle a quarter mile down the road to Bonneville Elementary School unscathed. A lot of interesting tactics were used to transport their puzzles, but the one that proved to NOT work was placing the puzzle on a shirt or jacket. Team Green was the first team to arrive and start the second challenge. The rest of the teams filtered in and finally:

Team Blue.

They were eliminated from the race at that time for arriving last. Congrats on making it this far.

The second challenged racked brains, geared up rotary skills and stumped the smartest of racers. 9 riddles and brain teasers mixed with a short distant run to provide answers which was then construed with a 1 min penalty for answering incorrectly and 10 min penalty for passing on a question created a competitive, demanding, difficult and annoying challenge. Teams met Nick Hanks, Pati and Carol (the old Team Pink) to help guide them though this challenge. For the next hour teams rushed back and forth to answer questions that were seemingly very difficult...until you hear the answer and the 'oh duh' moment slaps you right in the face. Intellectual titans turned to confused mice. But in the end, and many questions passed up, teams were able to overcome this mental challenge and race back to the finish line. Even though Team Black arrived first, many time penalties were given and in the end:

TEAM GREEN and TEAM WHITE tied for first place! Congratulations teams!

and unfortunately:

Team Red....arriving last to this challenge means you are the fourth team to be eliminated from the race. Thanks for you efforts.

Here were the final times in order of place:

1st: Team Green (Arrived at 8:47 plus a 33 min time  penalty : 9:20 pm final time)
1st: Team White (Arrived at 9:03 plus a 17 min time  penalty : 9:20 pm final time)
3rd: Team Grey (Arrived at 9:00 plus a 22 min time  penalty : 9:22 pm final time)
4th: Team Black (Arrived at 8:47 plus a 41 min time penalty: 9:28 pm final time)
5th: Team Orange (Arrived at 8:59 plus a 31 min time penalty: 9:30 pm final time)

Congrats again to Team White and Green for finishing first the leg of the race.
Team Blue and Red...this night just wasn't your night.

We are excited for Day 3 this Saturday! Prepare to get wet!!!!

Oh my heaven's to Betsy! Day one was a HUGE success!!!

Teams arrived in the early morn and the anticipation was more intense than Christmas morning. Teams eventually all arrived (after waiting for Stephen [Team Black] for 20 minutes) and the good times were ready to begin. Unfortunately, we had to eliminate one team before the race began :( Team Pink was unable to show due to some outside circumstances. We are sad to say, but:

Team Pink...you were the first team to be eliminated from the race. Better luck next time.

But spirits were still high, focus still tight, and competitiveness was oozing out of everyone's ears! After they each received their first clues....each team bolted towards their cars and to the first destination. Clue one led them to the base of the Provo Y trial. Little did they know that the Utah Valley Marathon would cause issues on the way they decided to get there.

Once teams arrived they were met by Austin Hanks who gave them their second clue...which was to climb the trail and take pictures at each of the three points. Team Black and Red we slow to arrive as their "shortcuts" proved to be quite the opposite! However, each team bolted up and down and did so rather quickly! First team to finish this challenge was: TEAM ORANGE! Congrats Kendra and Rachel. Team Yellow was not able to finish this challenge and accrued an hour time penalty.

Once teams finished tackling the mountain (fortunately their adrenaline kept their mind off their burning thighs and on the race) they received their next clue to head over to Prove Towne Centre and it was there each team had to take 10 pictures with 10 random strangers. This proved to be a simple task even though the mall wasn't even open at the time. Teams sped through this challenge like a fat hungry boy in front of chocolate cake. Once they finished they found the Mr. Eric Armstrong by the water fountain for their last clue First team to finish this challenge: TEAM ORANGE! Rachel and Kendra did it again. They definitely are a force to be reckoned with!

BUT DON'T WORRY! THE FUN HAS YET TO STOP.

As teams first read their next clue, many thoughts quickly bombarded their minds.
"What the H@!!"
"This will be easy!"
"Imma be sick after this"

What they were reading...was that they had to go to Krispy Kreme Donuts shop and purchase a dozen glazed donuts. Once these were purchased they had to make their way back to Milano village for their donut  eating destination.

It was a close race and team orange and grey show up at the same time. Its up to Ben and Amanda to dethrone the ever so prominent Kendra and Rachel. Each team member had to chow down 6 donuts. This proved to be quite the challenge. It was a tight race. And once they donuts were finished, teams had to run around the club house and back to the spot to finish day one. Ben was quick to get his donuts down and Amanda wasn't far behind. Kendra and Rachel were gagging as these greasy sugary donuts filled their stomachs. The intensity was climbing and the tension was higher than a hot air balloon. Who won you ask? I know you want to know so bad! I know you probably already skipped this paragraph to go look! But TEAM ORANGE WON AGAIN which also means the were the first team to finish Day 1! Are they beatable? I am sure the other teams are ready to prove that team orange can be taken down. The rest of the teams quickly filtered in as they chowed down the grease bread as fast as they could. We would have an R rated blog if we were to write how many bad thoughts and curse words were said about this last and final challenge. One racer said before the donut challenge: "This has been the greatest day ever!" On their third donut, it was if Satan had come down and laid his wrath on the stomachs of these poor souls. But this did not stop them. They all finished and completed the race! All...except team Yellow, who were not able to complete the last challenge and ended up being disqualified from the race. Meaning:

Team Yellow: You are the second team to be eliminated from the race. Great efforts!

The final standings after day 1 are:

1: Team Orange
2: Team Gray
3: Team Green
4: Team Blue
5: Team White
6: Team Black
7: Team Red

Eliminated Teams:
Pink and Yellow

Thanks to everyone who participated and we are excited for day 2 which is this Thursday at 8:00!!!

PICS TO COME!!!

Racers - The Ms. Sarah Rae Harris has offered her elite and professional services to take your official team pictures for the race! On Tuesday, May 29th at 7:30pm meet in the grassy area of Milano with your teammate and matching team shirts! The cooler the shirts...the cooler your team! We can't wait to see you all dressed up! If you are unable to make this time, please work with Sarah on an individual basis to get those done! But you better be there because:


A) To size up your competition
B) Help Sarah and the rest of the organizers make this the best event ever
C) I may disturb your slumber if you don't
D) Free Model Pics...nuff said!

Teams: The new start date will be June 9, 2012. Start preparing, or get left in the dust!

Thanks for everyone who participated! We are excited for the Race to begin! *Note, we have changed the start date to June, 9!

Team Green

Team Gray

Team Yellow

What is your biggest fear about Milano Amazing Race: Dying from a laugh attack...it could happen.

Team Orange

 

What is your biggest fear about Milano Amazing Race: It not being a big enough of challenge

Team Black

Team Blue

Team Pink  

Team White

Name: Jessica McAvoy
Age: 27
Hometown: Voorhees, New Jersey
Occupation: Law Student

Three words to describe you: Smart, political, Sassy
Favorite hobbies: Push ups, Volleyball, Book Club
What famous person reminds you of yourself: Bertrade
What is your biggest fear about Milano Amazing Race: Ben yelling at me