Race To Survive: New Zealand

[seacliffsal]

I know the racing through the night was meant to show how taxing the race is, but for me, as a viewer, it was a big nothing.  I'd rather be able to see what they're doing (and that's why I'm a viewer and not a participant...).

I really don't like Creighton-he didn't have to rub it in so much that they were passing the hunters, and he didn't have to show so much glee when killing the hedgehogs (RIP).  He seems to love being the center of attention.  I wasn't surprised his team passed the hunters as I have been thinking for a few weeks that Ryan's knee injury was going to affect their placement and running (I wouldn't be surprised if they leave due to his injury).

A few shake-ups this episode: fire jumpers are in first, Crieghton and Paulina have passed the hunters, etc.  

And my favorite part?  The seal!

[Irlandesa]

2 hours ago, seacliffsal said:

I really don't like Creighton-he didn't have to rub it in so much that they were passing the hunters, and he didn't have to show so much glee when killing the hedgehogs (RIP)

I do find it funny that he seems to be the only person catching any food but I also have no stomach to watch them kill food.  Maybe I should go vegan.

They're finally getting to the rules violation next week.  I wonder what it is. 

 

[iMonrey]

Are they going to eat hedgehogs? Is that maybe the rule violation? Killing hedgehogs? I kind of hope so.

I'd be interested in seeing some of these people go on Alone. The hunters, for example. 

[Irlandesa]

16 minutes ago, iMonrey said:

Are they going to eat hedgehogs? Is that maybe the rule violation? Killing hedgehogs? I kind of hope so.

Ha.  I actually Googled that and found an article where Creighton and Paulina talked about the rules.  Apparently, hedgehogs were fine to kill as they're a bit of an invasive species.  They taste terrible.  And he claims to have hated killing them.

So I doubt that's it.  I wonder if there's a navigation issue.  I can't imagine going off course would lead to a DQ but maybe there are areas they needed to not go into for safety reasons and a team disregarded those rules. 

[Quilt Fairy]

7 hours ago, Irlandesa said:

I can't imagine going off course would lead to a DQ but maybe there are areas they needed to not go into for safety reasons and a team disregarded those rules. 

If they were concerned about safety they wouldn't have encouraged them to  bushwhack through a jungle in the dark.

[tv echo]

"Can I Kill This Thing?": Race to Survive Competitors on Hunting Hedgehogs & More
By Caitlin Busch   Jul 1, 2024
https://www.usanetwork.com/usa-insider/race-to-survive-new-zealand-paulina-creighton-hunting-hedgehogs 

Quote

"Man, hedgehog," Creighton said, laughing. "You can do a lot of things to make wild game taste good. [But] we had a lot of practice with hedgehog out in the bush, [and] you cannot make a hedgehog taste good. You can't, it doesn't matter if you fry it in eel fat and put some sea salt on it, it's gonna taste bad. [But] the liver and kidney are delicious; the organs taste really good. And then the guts are really good for eel bait — that's the most useful part of the hedgehog, is as bait for more meat."

Paulina was quick to clarify that they didn't take any joy in hunting the little critters. "It's so sad ... killing any animal. [But] when you're starving ... [you] have to. The hedgehogs, unfortunately, they're easy to get. And we kept coming across them during that race. And it did get to a point where it was like, we passed one more and I was like, 'Ah, Creighton didn't see it. I don't want to say anything.' 'Cause I don't want to kill another one.

"And then it was also like this moral dilemma of like, 'I don't want to kill it, but we need this food. And if we pass it up, then that's me not contributing to our team having more food.' And so I was like, 'Creighton, there's another one,'" she explained, wincing.
*  *  *
However, as Creighton noted, hedgehogs are an invasive species in New Zealand. Of all the wildlife in the country, hedgehogs were actually pointed out as a good target for the competitors to hunt and eat.

"Even if you don't plan on eating it, just killing them is a good thing for the native environment down there," Creighton said. "But nobody feels good walking up to like the cutest little roly-poly hedgehog thing in the world and stabbing it in the head. Like it's not a cool thing to do."

Edited July 3 by tv echo

[seacliffsal]

I think Creigton may be trying to do some PR as it definitely appeared to me that he was gleeful when killing the hedgehogs.  Just my opinion, of course.

[Quilt Fairy]

I'm trying to zapruder the hell out of the rules violation teaser but the best I can come up with is that they are announcing it to the 4 teams still on the beach so presumably it's one of them.  

[PaperTree]

5 hours ago, Quilt Fairy said:

I'm trying to zapruder the hell out of the rules violation teaser but the best I can come up with is that they are announcing it to the 4 teams still on the beach so presumably it's one of them.  

Good luck!

With them all bundeled up, I find it hard to tell who's who.

[margol29]

My DVR didn't catch the first half of the episode. I came in on them traversing the cliff face. I suppose I didn't miss much.

I hated seeing all the hedgehog slaughter, too. Then he was rubbing it in the other teams faces about all the food they had and the fish (eel?) he caught.

I didn't like the all night trek either. I have trouble watching shows that are filmed in the dark anyway.

[Lovecat]

I'm glad the hedgehogs tasted bad, a bit of karma for killing the little cuties.  I was SO hoping that was the rule violation, but alas, they are considered (adorable) pests.

[tv echo]

SNEAK PEEK: Will the Canadians Finish the Race? | Race to Survive: New Zealand (S1 E8) | USA Network
USA Network   Jul 5, 2024

[PaperTree]

Did they ever say what they killed?

[humbleopinion]

The audience is left to assume Corey killed one of the native birds that were around the tents and unafraid of the racers.

Creighto is using the show as his sizzle tape to audition for Naked and Afraid. Who crows about killing hedgehogs?

[Red Bridey]

So a team is allowed to kill someone's sheep with no consequences? Did the sheep herd owner give the show permission to cull their population? That's strange. 

[snarts]

Yeah, glad I canceled this season. I'm not interested in watching a series of hunting events interspersed with a little racing.

Too bad because I really enjoyed season one. 

[jah1986]

So disappointed to see this team leave. I wonder if they both ate whatever was killed. Because the other guy really didn't seem to have the same level of guilt.

Nobody left broke the rules, but a win by anyone other than the smoke jumpers will have an asterisk in my mind.

Show just got a little less interesting for me.

[alexa]

I think you are all right.  It used to be about the race, and this season has been all about obtaining food.  I haven’t been paying close attention and this is probably why.

[iMonrey]

I wonder why they didn't tell us what Oliver and Corry killed. Probably some native bird, I guess they were afraid what New Zealanders would do if they said what it was. I couldn't believe Kennedy and Nik were allowed to kill a sheep and someone else was disqualified for killing something so small we couldn't even see it. I guess those were wild sheep? And up for grabs? Weird.

I can't imagine how hungry I would have to be to eat an eel. I would probably just starve to death because I just don't think I could get it down without gagging and throwing it back up.

[tv echo]

Oliver and Corry Explain the Shocking End to Their Race to Survive: "A Cloud Over Our Heads"
By Tara Bennett   Jul 9, 2024
https://www.usanetwork.com/usa-insider/race-to-survive-new-zealand-oliver-corry-rules-violation-elimination 

Quote

When did they get the first warning that act might come back to haunt them? "Before Race 4, we were told that there would be a decision made — an outcome essentially — dropped on us at the end of Race 4," Corry explained. "About halfway through the race, after the co-steering challenge, Phil, [a crewmember] who you see in the scene, mentioned that we would know at the end of the race what the outcome of this decision was going to be. I posed the question to Phil like, 'Come on, man. Like, give me something?' He couldn't meet my eye and couldn't speak. And that's kind of when I felt like I knew. From there to the end, I think we slowed down."

Race to Survive's Ryan and Bronsen Are Still "In Denial" About Their Early Exit
By Tara Bennett   Jul 9, 2024
https://www.usanetwork.com/usa-insider/race-to-survive-new-zealand-ryan-bronsen-injury-elimination

Quote

A small perk came when they eventually called the producers to take them out of the game. When taken back to the production base camp, the pair were fed the best candy bars, sandwiches, and pizzas of their lives. (Even better than the much-appreciated eel gifted by Creighton.)

Race to Survive Creator Breaks Down Kennedy & Nik's Big Kill: It "Kept Them Alive"
By Caitlin Busch   Jul 8, 2024
https://www.usanetwork.com/usa-insider/race-to-survive-new-zealand-kennedy-nik-sheep-hunt 

Quote

"And the one thing I think is really cool about it is that they do fully use every [part] — that sheep was not wasted," he [showrunner Jeff Conroy] continued. "That sheep kept them alive. That sheep, they used every bit of it. Down to the bone broth soup. I think if you have to kill an animal to eat it to survive, that’s probably the best way to do it, right? Do it in a way that you really respect it by using the whole animal."

[tv echo]

It was a bird...

EXCLUSIVE: Bronsen Iverson and Ryan Stewart from Race to Survive: New Zealand Dish on Family, Poaching, and Keeping a Level Head
BY JUSTIN SMITH   JULY 9, 2024
https://www.realitytea.com/2024/07/09/exclusive-bronsen-iverson-ryan-stewart-race-to-survive-new-zealand-on-family-poaching-keeping-level-head/ 

Quote

Of course, Ryan and Bronsen weren’t the only team eliminated in Episode 8. We also saw the River Guides get kicked off the show after Corry broke a rule by eating a bird on the no-kill list. After watching other contestants slaughter sheep, hedgehogs, and eels, why is it such a big deal for them to eat this random bird when they’re literally starving? Ryan explained that it all comes down to poaching laws and the pressures of such a high-stakes competition.
*  *  *
He compared the situation with the River Guides to the elk hunts he leads in Utah. If he took someone out on an excursion and they shot an off-limits animal, Ryan explained that he would be legally obligated to report it. Even if it’s just a little bird, rules are rules. Otherwise, his livelihood could be on the line.

“So now, if the Feds came to me, and I knew about it, they would take my guiding license away that I worked so hard for and charge me just as much as they would charge him,” Ryan added.

With that in mind, Ryan recognized the seriousness of the accusations levied against the River Guides. He felt like their disqualification was fair because they were all specifically told not to go after the birds. However, he didn’t rule out the theory that another competitor snitched on the River Guides to get ahead in the competition.

“It sucks because they did do it, and they knew it,” Ryan added. “And you’re doing it in front of a bunch of people [competing] for $500,000. That’s a pretty big whoopsie because someone around there is probably going to say something if they feel they need to.”

Edited July 10 by tv echo

[iMonrey]

3 hours ago, tv echo said:

Oliver and Corry Explain the Shocking End to Their Race to Survive: "A Cloud Over Our Heads"
By Tara Bennett   Jul 9, 2024
https://www.usanetwork.com/usa-insider/race-to-survive-new-zealand-oliver-corry-rules-violation-elimination 

WTF, they still don't say what kind of animal they killed. Why is it such a secret?

[Quilt Fairy]

I'd have to rewatch one of the earlier episodes, but they did mention (and show) a bird that would come into camp and try to steal their food.

I was not expecting this.  If anything, I'd have thought it was the eels, although everyone was catching them.  On this season of Alone Australia they are on the South Island of New Zealand (where I think this race is also taking place) and they are specifically NOT allowed to kill eels as they are protected.  

Edited July 11 by Quilt Fairy

[bosawks]

I don’t necessarily love the overemphasis on the hunting and gathering aspect of the season.

But I do like that they were looking to change things up and makes me want a season 3 even more.

My guess is in one of the birds that they spent a ton of time showing and explaining that it was forbidden to kill in the first couple of episodes.

[Quilt Fairy]

5 hours ago, bosawks said:

But I do like that they were looking to change things up and makes me want a season 3 even more.

I don't mind the addition of food caches that come at a cost, but I wish they'd focus more on adventure racing like they did in S1.

[iMonrey]

On 7/10/2024 at 7:42 AM, tv echo said:

Race to Survive's Ryan and Bronsen Are Still "In Denial" About Their Early Exit

Survivalist on Survivalist show, Day 1: "I'm doing this for my family because that money would really mean a lot to us."

Survivalist on Survivalist show, after tapping out: "I didn't do this for the money!"

[Lovecat]

I'm pretty sure it was a weka; they mentioned a few times that they were not allowed to kill and eat the chicken-like birds that were all over the place and ironically were trying to steal food.  

From nzbirdsonline.org.nz:

The weka is one of New Zealand’s iconic large flightless birds. Likely derived from a flighted ancestor, weka are 3-6 times larger than banded rails, which are considered their nearest flying relatives. Weka are charismatic birds that are often attracted to human activity. This makes an encounter with a weka a wildlife highlight for many people, as the curious bird searches for any food item that the intruder might bring. But people who live alongside weka often have a less charitable opinion, as they have to live with ever-watchful weka snatching opportunities to raid vegetable gardens, pilfer poultry food and eggs, and even steal dog food from the bowl.

They are considered a vulnerable species, per Wikipedia.

1 hour ago, iMonrey said:

Survivalist on Survivalist show, Day 1: "I'm doing this for my family because that money would really mean a lot to us."

Survivalist on Survivalist show, after tapping out: "I didn't do this for the money!"

Because I think the people on teevee can see and hear me, I gave that guy the "WTF??" hands and said "That's not what you said a few weeks ago, my dude!!"

[tv echo]

SNEAK PEEK: Teams Split Up & Go Solo | Race To Survive: New Zealand (S2 E9) | USA
USA Network   Jul 12, 2024

[Quilt Fairy]

Did Kennedy just say she doesn't know how to use a map and compass?   

[PaperTree]

19 hours ago, Quilt Fairy said:

Did Kennedy just say she doesn't know how to use a map and compass? 

Oooh.  That's not going to help the tortises (sp?).

It's Smokejumper's race to lose.  But fall wrong and you're done.

I really don't want to see the on/off bickering divorsees win.

[meep.meep]

On 7/11/2024 at 10:20 AM, Lovecat said:

I'm pretty sure it was a weka; they mentioned a few times that they were not allowed to kill and eat the chicken-like birds that were all over the place and ironically were trying to steal food.  

 

Probably you are right, but I prefer to think it was a pu-teketeke

[Quilt Fairy]

I wonder how much of the next race was planned and how much was made up on the fly when they found themselves down to 3 teams. 

Also, I wanted to point out that at the beginning of leg 4 Kennedy showed us a seriously bad toe, she could barely walk some of the time, but when it came time to catch the sheep she had no problem running after it. 

[Grizzly]

I'm liking the divorcees better than at the beginning. Whichever team wins, I like the final 3. They all have compelling stories. Wish Paulina and Kennedy could team up to win.

[Irlandesa]

I like how Kennedy and Nick decided to ditch Paulina but she beat them to the pit stop anyway.

Too bad Creighton was so far behind. 

[PaperTree]

Still smokejumpers race to lose. And they got more food.

Surprised the other 2 teams beat the clock (barely).

Looks like a fun finale.

[Quilt Fairy]

Has anyone noticed how odd the food caches are?  One last night had tuna and vegan jerky.  The last one had mangoes, chocolate, rice and mashed potatoes.  WT actual F?  It seems so random. 

[tv echo]

Race to Survive: New Zealand Episode 9 Recap: Competing with the Clock
BY JUSTIN SMITH   JULY 15, 2024
https://www.realitytea.com/2024/07/15/race-to-survive-new-zealand-episode-9-recap-separate-ways/ 

Paulina & Creighton Know You're Watching for the Divorce Drama on Race to Survive
By Caitlin Busch   Jul 16, 2024
https://www.usanetwork.com/usa-insider/paulina-creighton-divorce-drama-race-to-survive-finale 

Edited July 17 by tv echo

[iMonrey]

I think the trek itself is fairly interesting but I cannot imagine a more anticlimactic race. It was clear from the start it would be either the smoke jumpers or the river guides. Now the river guides are gone and the smoke jumpers are a mile ahead of the other two teams. Not to put too fine a point on it but I don't think it's coincidence or luck the top three teams have been boy/boy teams while the boy/girl teams and girl/girl teams have lagged behind. 

This episode didn't even spend a whole lot of time on Ethan and Tyree. I think even the editors have resigned themselves to an obvious conclusion. Instead the focus is on the race for 2nd place between Paulina and Creighton and Kennedy and Nik. At least they're more interesting.

[meep.meep]

Argh!  I thought this was the last episode.  How long will they drag this out?

I just realized that I have no idea which one is Ethan and which one is Tyree.  Couldn't one have a jaunty hat?

Paulina is fast!

[Red Bridey]

I was impressed with Kennedy, girl has great arms and stamina. And I love Paulina's massive curls and great hair. Creighton is a lot to handle, but he was good to go back and relieve Paulina of her backpack. Those two are real climbers, too. Great challenge to get them back in the race. I also can't tell either smokejumper from the other. Doesn't matter now, either. They're going to crush the last race and win. Yawn.

 

[Irlandesa]

9 hours ago, iMonrey said:

Not to put too fine a point on it but I don't think it's coincidence or luck the top three teams have been boy/boy teams while the boy/girl teams and girl/girl teams have lagged behind. 

It was like that last year too. That's why I liked the Extreme Race required co-ed teams. 

[piccolascimmia]

31 minutes ago, Irlandesa said:

That's why I liked the Extreme Race required co-ed teams

What show / channel is Extreme Race on?  Googling it gives me shows me generic adventure race shows. 

[Irlandesa]

1 hour ago, piccolascimmia said:

What show / channel is Extreme Race on?  Googling it gives me shows me generic adventure race shows. 

Sorry.  I'm lazy and didn't want to look it up but the show I meant to refer to was Eco-Challenge.  It kept getting canceled and revived.  It's so good.  The most recent season was on Amazon.

[Grizzly]

Tyree has the darker hair and scruff. Plus he gets more talking heads with his indigenous backstory. Ethan's hair is lighter and he has more of a beard. They do seem to have this on lock. Thought they were going to win by the others not finishing in time. Glad everyone made it.

[PaperTree]

Tyree has more of a round face and less beard.

I've had trouble all season telling who's who with all of them all bundeled up

[tv echo]

SNEAK PEEK: Let The Final Race Begin | Race To Survive: New Zealand (S2 E10) | USA
USA Network   Jul 19, 2024

[tv echo]

Race to Survive Creator Breaks Down Final Three's Greatest Strengths: Who Will Win?
Creighton Baird & Paulina Peña, Ethan Greenberg & Tyrie Mann Merrill, and Nik Milutinovic & Kennedy Taylor hit the final stretch.
By Caitlin Busch   Jul 19, 2024
https://www.usanetwork.com/usa-insider/race-to-survive-creator-breaks-down-final-three-teams 

Quote

"There’s plenty of race shows out there, and there’s plenty of survival shows out there. The point of this show is to bring those two elements together in a format [where they have] equal weight," series creator and executive producer Jeff Conroy explained. "I don’t believe that equal weight was going to truly play out until the season progressed." 
*  *  *
"It’s pretty exciting to see a team like Nik and Kennedy in the finals when, really, they’re not fast. But they are tough, you know? And they proved it to themselves and to all of us early on by not eating for nine days. You’re like, 'Whoa!'" Conroy said of the Canadian roughnecks whose coworker bond has grown into healthy mutual respect and friendship throughout the season.
*  *  *
"Looking at Kennedy and Nik's transformation ... you look at them in Episode 1 and they’re paddling in circles in a canoe. Literally paddling in circles ... if you’re looking at that, you’re going, 'These two are gonna not make it to the other side of the lake,' right? But then they’re in the finale, and they’re not paddling in circles — physically or metaphorically speaking. They’re a team, and they’ve gone from Nik as being, like, kind of the alpha in charge to Kennedy taking the charge. It is a fascinating transformation."
*  *  *
Meanwhile, Conroy explained that Paulina and Creighton are "strong across the board."

"They’re a strong team," he mused. "They can handle ropes very well, they have tons of mountaineering experience, and they have pretty strong survival experience, truthfully."
*  *  *
"In the beginning [they] were snipey exes not able to quite decide their strategy and what they were doing and by the end, they’re adventure exes for life," he said. "They got [to] a place that was really personally satisfying to me to see them get to this understanding, and to see how really great they were able to work together and support each other was like, 'Wow, OK!'
*  *  *
Last but not least, Conroy explained that Ethan and Tyrie's No. 1 strength was being "a team that’s very comfortable with being uncomfortable and being hungry and being tired and working 24 hours a day."
*  *  *
"They are not the type to necessarily have trained for this, but their job as smokejumpers and as people who live in the wild and do often supplement their food by eating off the land ... this is a very comfortable place [for them]," Conroy said.
*  *  *
"Those guys came into the race as closed off — heads down, work hard, don’t show any emotion, and by the end, they were being very honest with themselves, and with us," he explained. "And that level of vulnerability, I think, made them stronger competitors. They were able to reveal [things] to each other and be open. Obviously, we see it on camera, but that openness, I think, translated to their relationship as a team and they had that ability to communicate without [verbally] communicating sometimes and it was really impressive."
*  *  *
"It worked out in a way that gave us three different approaches to the race, but [their strengths] all kinda come down to that ability to survive," he said. "Whether it's survive the physical nature of the race, or be able to feed yourself, but all that came down to survival, really. Toughness. Toughness is the thing, right? Like, at the end of the day, there’re some very, very tough teams that had to tap out."

Edited July 21 by tv echo

[jah1986]

Little bit of a letdown, glad this season is over. I was surprised by Nik's meltdown on the last leg.

[Red Bridey]

When Nik and Kennedy made it out of the cave ahead of the Smokies, I put my phone down and was excited to watch them win. When the Smokies passed them up the mountain trail, I picked up my phone again and figured the race was over. Which it was, but then I was mystified that Paulina and Creighton were so far ahead of the Canucks at the end. How did that happen? I felt bad that Nik hit the wall, esp. after they went for the food cache. Dumb decision for the last push, but I guess they really needed the calories. And still they didn't win. I guess God was lying to Nik all along 🤔😉

Edited July 23 by Red Bridey

[Irlandesa]

1 hour ago, Red Bridey said:

Dumb decision for the last push, but I guess they really needed the calories.

There was a choice in route and they bet that the "easier but longer" route would be faster than the "shorter but harder" route.  They were wrong. 

I think losing first place just wiped Nik out. 

I would have loved a surprise win but if they do this again, I'm really going to need co-ed teams.  Or age gap teams.  There's no guarantee that teams with 2 physically fit men in their primes are all going to be at the front of the pack but it's a very good bet that at least one of those teams will be.