David & Jeff

David Dean and Jeff Strnad are a team of Best Friends on The Amazing Race 4.

After struggling in the first few legs, David & Jeff realized that they could not simply rely on brute strength to get them through the Race. They thus began to race smarter, winning four legs and making it to the final three. In the final leg, they made a fatal mistake, believing that going to Sydney would give them the most options to get on a flight to Hawaii. Once in Sydney, however, they realized that there were no flights to Hawaii until the following day, and with no time to get on the itinerary the other teams had taken, David & Jeff were left stranded there overnight, dooming them to finish in 3rd place, not even reaching the Finish Line.

Profile[]

Retrieved from CBS.com

Thirty-two-year-old David is an entrepreneur with an MBA from the University of Miami. Currently he is an executive and owner of a marketing agency. Past jobs include selling medical devices and working as a personal trainer. He had a football scholarship in college and speaks Spanish well. David describes himself as "ambitious, loyal and passionate," and one of his favorite hobbies is working out. He loves traveling, especially to big cities. He has a fear of heights. David respects President George Bush because thinks he's a great leader. David admits he is crazier than his teammate. He says he's in the Race for the fun, the money and most of all the challenge.

Jeff is a commercial real estate broker and residential designer & developer. He is 37 and describes himself as "goal-oriented, confident and grounded." He also thinks of himself as a romantic who is looking forward to the day when he can settle down and start a family. He loves to surf, run and paint. Jeff is a little more reserved than David and takes time to think through a situation before he dives in. His fears include heights and "moving away from the beach." He sets high expectations for himself and finishes what he sets out to accomplish. One of Jeff's real estate accomplishments includes closing a $200 million lease agreement for billionaire Marvin Davis with 20th Century Fox.^[1]

How would you describe your previous travel experience?

David: I've traveled pretty extensively through Europe. Aside from that, I like to take weekend trips from LA to the mountains skiing, etc.
Jeff: Extensively traveled the USA and abroad (Europe) by plane, taxi to hotel (never via backpack!).

What is the most stressful aspect of traveling?

David: Waiting. Patience is not exactly one of my greatest strengths.
Jeff: Getting into airports, checking in, security and waiting!

What is the most important item in your backpack, and why?

David: The pictures of my girl, Stephanie, and the notes she snuck into my bag before I left. These are the things that keep me going the most. Anything else can be replaced.
Jeff: My passport, for the obvious reason and my shoes, because of the amount of time I will spend on my feet.

Why did you want to be on THE AMAZING RACE?

David: To travel around the world, try to win a million bucks and sit around with my friends, watching myself do crazy shit and act like an idiot on TV.
Jeff: Opportunity to circle the globe in a very short period of time while experiencing a variety of challenges and cultures.

Have you and your partner traveled together before? If so, what was it like?

David: Actually, no.
Jeff: No, not to this extent.

What do you fear most about competing in THE AMAZING RACE?

David: Not winning.
Jeff: Analysis paralysis or a Roadblock with which I have no previous experience.

What strengths and weaknesses do you bring to the Team?

David: Fun and a positive attitude.
Jeff: Strengths: strategic thinker, drive, intelligence and positive attitude. Weaknesses: overly social and stubbornness.

What strengths and weaknesses does your teammate bring to the Team?

David: Strengths: the ability to figure things out. Weaknesses: I'm not sure, but every time we make a mistake, I'm pretty sure I'm going to blame him!
Jeff: Strengths: motivation, focus, quick thinker. Weakness: can be a little slow moving.

What will you miss the most from home (besides your bed)?

David: Come on, that's an easy one! Someone to sleep (or NOT sleep all night) with me.
Jeff: Interaction and time with friends and my gal, daily life at the beach, running.

What languages do you speak?

David: Some Spanish, Swahili, usually pretty good English.
Jeff: English and Spanish (un poco!).

What destination are you hoping to visit?

David: I would love to go to Ireland, the South African plains, the Amazon or anywhere with snow and/or mountains.
Jeff: South Africa, Kenya and Japan.

What country do you feel best prepared for?

David: Spain or any of the Spanish-speaking South American countries because of my cursory familiarity with the language.
Jeff: Western European countries.^[2]

The Amazing Race 4[]

Race History[]

David & Jeff's Race History
Episode	Leg	Destination(s)	Detour Choice (underlined)	Roadblock Performer	Placement	Notes
1	1	United States → Italy	Search / Rescue	No Roadblock	10 of 12
2	2	Italy	Waterway / Pathway	Jeff	5 of 11
3	3	Italy → Austria	Mozart / Beethoven	David	7 of 10
4	4	Austria → France	Ropes / Slopes	Jeff	6 of 9
5	5	France → Netherlands	500 Kilograms / 15 Feet	David	6 of 8
6	6	Netherlands → India	Suds / Duds	Jeff	1 of 7
7	7	India	Baskets / Trunks	David	1 of 6
8	8	India → Malaysia	Net / Trap	Jeff	4 of 5
9	9	Malaysia	Chop / Haul	David	3 of 5
10	10	Malaysia → South Korea	Strong Hands / Strong Stomach	Jeff	4 of 4
11	11	South Korea → Australia	Used Fast Forward		1 of 4►
12	12	Australia	Saddle / Paddle	David	1 of 3
13	13	Australia → United States	Wing It / Wander It	Jeff	3 of 3	^[1]^[2]
				Average	4.00
Legend: The team finished in first place The team finished in last place and was eliminated from the race The team finished in last place in a non-elimination leg or continue racing in a no-rest leg The team that won The Amazing Race The team that crossed the Finish Line second The team that crossed the Finish Line third ► The team used the Fast Forward pass
Notes: 1: David & Jeff were not shown performing this task, but disclosed in an interview that Jeff performed the task. 2: David & Jeff had fallen so far behind that they were unable to complete the final leg. Upon receiving their clue at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, they were informed that the Race had already finished.

Trivia[]

Franchise Records[]

David & Jeff have the lowest-racing average of a team who won four legs, with 4.00.
David & Jeff are the second of two teams to reach the final leg, but not cross the Finish Line without being eliminated on the course. The first was Joe & Bill in The Amazing Race 1.