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Florinka "Flo" Pesenti and Zachary Golden "Zach" Behr are a team of Friends and the Official Winners of The Amazing Race 3.

The New York friends came into the race without prior history of traveling together, but proved to be efficient in performing tasks which allowed them to stay near the front of the pack for the first half of the race. However, Flo later gained a degree of infamy for openly threatening to quit the Race later on as the stresses started to wear on her. Despite their troubles, they eventually reached the final 3 and managed to narrowly edge out front runners Teri & Ian to become the first co-ed team to win the Race.

Profile[]

Retrieved from CBS.com

With any good friends where there is a guy and a girl, there's a chance of something happening. We've never really crossed into that territory.

New Yorkers Flo, 23, a public relations associate, and Zach, 23, a production assistant, have been good friends ever since they met five years ago in a cafeteria at Vassar College. While wearing a funny hat and a camouflage suit, Zach instantly caught Flo's eye. Although Flo and Zach have shared a mutual attraction for each other over the years, they've never pursued a romantic relationship.

One of their most memorable times together was when they were both bartending in college. Says Flo, "We would go crazy making drinks for the whole bar, trying to be Tom Cruise in Cocktail. It was so fun to be silly with someone while working." Ironically, one of the worst experiences they've ever had took place while they were working together. When a young girl became extremely ill from drinking too much, Flo and Zach had to rush her to the hospital. "We had to deal with the EMS and it was a really scary situation," says Zach, who adds, "It was reassuring to go through it with Flo."

Although Flo and Zach are seasoned travelers, the couple has only shared one 24-hour trip together. This Team is convinced, however, that they have what it takes to come out on top. According to Zach, "I am the logistics man. I'm good with directions, roughing it and keeping a cool head. Flo is very good at keeping things fun. She's also great at getting people to do things they might not otherwise do." Flo and Zach are looking forward to seeing some great places during the Race, and hope the experience will bring them even closer together.

Flo's birth date is January 17. Zach's birth date is June 29.[1]

How would you describe your previous travel experience?

  • Flo: Pretty extensive.
  • Zach: I have traveled extensively in Europe (east and west), and have been to many other countries in South America. I've never been to Asia.

What is the most stressful aspect of traveling?

  • Flo: Missing flights and getting stuck in traffic.
  • Zach: After a while, I find it stressful to be on the move. But in general, I find travel to be very relaxing.

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

  • Flo: My sunscreen—and my Tylenol—migraines and a sunburn would surely slow me down.
  • Zach: Probably my two pairs of super high-tech underwear. They dry in seconds and make you run faster—very funny stuff.

Why did you want to be on THE AMAZING RACE?

  • Flo: To see great places and to win some money.
  • Zach: I wanted to be on THE AMAZING RACE to have the adventure of a lifetime and win a million bucks in the process.

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

  • Flo: We've never traveled together before, except one 24-hour drive to Boston.
  • Zach: Not really. One time we took a marathon, one-day trip from New York to Boston. It was rugged, but good training, I hope.

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

  • Flo: No fears.
  • Zach: My biggest fear of competing in THE AMAZING RACE 3 is probably getting lost in a jungle or desert. Either that, or losing in the first leg of the Race. But that won't happen.

What strengths and weaknesses do you bring to the Team?

  • Flo: I am a great traveler. I get along well with others. I am also very competitive. The only weakness is that I love to go to sleep early, and often fall asleep in random places. I've also never really roughed it.
  • Zach: I am the logistics man. I am good with directions, orienteering, roughing it and keeping a cool head. One of my weaknesses is that I am not as competitive as Flo.

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

  • Flo: Zach is brilliant. He is really prepared and has great endurance. Also, he is not afraid to wear one pair of underwear the whole trip. His weakness: not competitive enough.
  • Zach: Flo is very good at keeping things fun. She is also great at getting people to do things they might not otherwise do. But, she can't really drive stick and doesn't have much experience roughing it.

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

  • Flo: My family.
  • Zach: I'll miss my friends at home, the wolfpack, and my family.

What languages do you speak?

  • Flo: Italian, French, Spanish.
  • Zach: Spanish, English, Czech.

What destination are you hoping to visit?

What country do you feel best prepared for?

The Amazing Race 3[]

Race History[]

Flo & Zach's Race History
Episode Leg Destination(s) Detour Choice
(underlined)
Roadblock
Performer
Placement Notes
1 1 United States → Mexico Wings / Wheels No Roadblock 2 of 12
2 2 Mexico Man Power / Horse Power Zach 5 of 11
3 3 Mexico → United Kingdom Punt / Bike Zach 3 of 10 [1]
4 4 United Kingdom → Portugal Old School / New School Zach 2 of 9
5 5 Portugal → Spain → Morocco Ropes / Slopes Zach 4 of 8 [2]
6 6 Morocco Now You See It / Now You Don't Flo 2 of 7
7 7 Morocco → Germany → Austria → Germany Used Fast Forward 1 of 6
8 8 Germany → Switzerland Count the Money / Run the Numbers Zach 2 of 5
9 9 Switzerland Extreme Swiss / Very Swiss Zach 5 of 5
10 Switzerland → Malaysia → Singapore Dry / Wet Zach 3 of 5
10 11 Singapore → Vietnam Easy Buy / Hard Sell Zach 2 of 4
11 12 Vietnam Basket Boats / Basket Bikes Zach 3 of 3 [3]
13 Vietnam → United States Quick Drop / Slow Walk Zach 1 of 3
Average 2.69
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
     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: Flo & Zach attempted Punt for the Detour before switching to Bike.
2: Flo & Zach attempted Ropes for the Detour before switching to Slopes.
3: Flo & Zach switched Detours twice before completing Basket Boats.

Post-Race[]

  • From Seasons 10 to 18, Zach co-hosted a TAR segment with Shawn Pooley on Canadian Radio NL 610 and CKRV 97.5.[2]
  • In August 2004, Zach published a piece in The New York Times describing his experience on the race.[3]
  • Zach got married to Elyse Steinberg on October 11, 2008 and now have a kid together.[4]
  • Flo became romantically involved with Drew after the Race and stayed together for 7 years before breaking up in 2009.
    • They were asked to participate in All-Stars as a new team but Flo reportedly declined because she felt that the Race had brought the worst out of her and Zach was not invited to join her. The honor of becoming the newly-created team would go to Eric & Danielle.
  • Flo became ABC News Chief Legal Affairs Anchor Dan Abrams's life partner, and together they have a young son, Everett.[5]
  • Zach is currently Vice President of Programming at the History Channel.[6]

Trivia[]

Franchise Records[]

  • First team to switch Detours twice in a single leg (Leg 12).
  • First winners who were the youngest team of the season.
  • First co-ed team to win the race
    • Flo became the first woman to win the race.
  • Due to them taking the Fast Forward in Leg 7, they never traveled to Austria. This makes them the only team to win the race without going to all the countries in the season's route.
  • First winning team to have the highest racing average of the season.
  • Flo became the first person to perform least number of Roadblock that reached the final three. (1 Roadblock)
  • Flo is the most quoted woman for episode titles in a season: 5 episodes.
  • Flo was the first former contestant to be referenced in a future season.
    • During the "Rescue" task of the Detour in the Season 4 premiere, Chris called teammate Amanda "Flo."[7]
    • According to Chris, she took the joke well and was not offended.[8]

External links[]

Interviews[]

Post-Race[]

  • Harry Smith on The Early Show (12/18/2002): "Race Win Amazing For Flo and Zach"
  • The Caroline Rhea Show (12/18/2002): "The Final 3 From The Amazing Race 3"
  • FansOfRealityTV (12/19/2002): "The Amazing Race 3 Winners: Our Interview with Flo and Zach"
  • Donna Petrozzello on New York Daily News (12/20/2002): "Reality Check Amazes 'Em"
  • Brian James at RealityNewsOnline (02/17/2003): "An In-Depth Conversation With Florinka (Flo) Pesenti, Winner of The Amazing Race 3"

Post-Show[]

  • CBS.com (2003): After the Race
  • TARflies (05/02/2003): "Catch up with Zach"
  • TARflies (07/30/2003): "Go with the Flo"
  • TARflies (10/11/2004): "The World-Wide Games" with Zach
  • Mary Anne Potts at National Geographic Adventure (09/27/2009): "The Amazing Race: A Previous Winner Tells All"
  • Reality TV Warriors (12/31/2021): "I Forgot About The Paper Underwear!"

Social Media Profiles[]

References[]

The Amazing Race 3 Teams
 Aaron & Arianne
Lifelong Friends
S3 AaronArianne
 Andre & Damon
Cop and Fireman
S3 AndreDamon
 Dennis & Andrew
Father/Son
S3 DennisAndrew
 Derek & Drew
Twins/Models
S3 DerekDrew
 Flo & Zach
Friends
S3 FloZach
 Gina & Sylvia
Soccer Moms
S3 GinaSylvia
 Heather & Eve
Law School Roommates
S3 HeatherEve
 Ken & Gerard
Brothers
S3 KenGerard
 Michael & Kathy
Long-Distance Dating
S3 MichaelKathy
 Teri & Ian
Married Parents
S3 TeriIan
 Tramel & Talicia
Brother/Sister
S3 TramelTalicia
The Amazing Race Winners
United States
(flagship)
 Rob & Brennan
Best Friends/Lawyers
S1 RobBrennan
 Chris & Alex
Lifelong Friends
S2 ChrisAlex
 Flo & Zach
Friends
S3 FloZach
S4 ReichenChip
 Chip & Kim
Married Parents
S5 ChipKim
 Freddy & Kendra
Engaged Models
S6 FreddyKendra
S7 UchennaJoyce
 Linz Family
Siblings
S8 LinzFamily
 BJ & Tyler
Best Friends
S9 BJTyler
S10 TylerJames
S11 EricDanielle
 TK & Rachel
Newly Dating
S12 TKRachel
 Nick & Starr
Brother/Sister
S13 NickStarr
 Tammy & Victor
Siblings/Lawyers
S14 TammyVictor
S15 MeghanCheyne
 Dan & Jordan
Brothers
S16 DanJordan
 Nat & Kat
Doctors
S17 NatKat
 Kisha & Jen
Sisters
S18 KishaJen
 Ernie & Cindy
Engaged
S19 ErnieCindy
 Rachel & Dave
Army Wife & Combat Pilot
S20 RachelDave
 Josh & Brent
Goat Farmers
S21 JoshBrent
 Bates & Anthony
Hockey Brothers
S22 BatesAnthony
 Jason & Amy
Dating
S23 JasonAmy
 Dave & Connor
Father/Son
S24 DaveConnor
 Amy & Maya
Food Scientists
S25 AmyMaya
 Laura & Tyler
Blind Dating
S26 LauraTyler
 Kelsey & Joey
Dating News Anchors
S27 KelseyJoey
 Dana & Matt
Engaged
S28 DanaMatt
 Brooke & Scott
#TeamBrooke andScott
S29 BrookeScott
S30 CodyJessica
 Colin & Christie
Life Partners
S31 ColinChristie
 Will & James
Dating
S32 WillJames
 Kim & Penn
Internet Personalities
S33 KimPenn
 Derek & Claire
Reality Romance
S34 DerekClaire
 Greg & John
Brothers/Computer Scientists
S35 GregJohn
Asia
 Joe Jer & Zabrina
Co-Workers
ASS1 JoeJerZabrina
 Adrian & Collin
Gym Buddies
ASS2 AdrianCollin
 Vince & Sam
Best Buddies
ASS3 VinceSam
 Parul & Maggie
Beauty Queens
ASS5 ParulMaggie
Australia
AUS1 TylerNathan
 Daniel & Ryan
Intensive Care Nurses
AUS3 DanielRyan
 Tim & Rod
Newlyweds
AUS4 TimRod
 Heath & Toni
Memory Makers
AUS6 HeathToni
 Alli & Angie
Mother/Daughter
AUS7 AlliAngie
 Darren & Tristan
Uncle/Nephew
AUS7 DarrenTristan
 Emma & Hayley
Sisters
AUS7 EmmaHayley
Brazil
BRS1 PatríciaSane
Canada
 Tim & Tim
Father & Son
CAS1 TimTim
 Mickey & Pete
Best Friends
CAS2 MickeyPete
 Gino & Jesse
Brothers
CAS3 GinoJesse
CAS4 StephKristen
 Sam & Paul
Dating Couple
CAS5 SamPaul
 Courtney & Adam
Engaged First Responders
CAS6 CourtneyAdam
CAS7 AnthonyJames
 Catherine & Craig
Best Friends
CAS8 CatherineCraig
 Ty & Kat
Dating
CAS9 TyKat
China
CNS1 ZhongHanliangJackie
 Geng & Xin
Friends
CNS2 HanGengWuXin
CNS4 JiaJingwenXiuJiekai
China Rush
 Charlie & Rachel
Flirtatious Friends
CRS1 CharlieRachel
 Lily & Jan
Dating Couple
CRS2 LilyJan
France
 Anthony & Sonja
Cyber Friends
FRS1 AnthonySonja
Israel
 Shay & Guy
Business Partners
ILS1 ShayGuy
 Bar & Inna
Painter & Saleswoman
ILS2 BarInna
 Talia & Koby
Newlyweds
ILS3 TaliaKoby
 Shay & Shani
Friends
ILS4 ShayShani
 Amit & Raz
Father/Son
ILS5 AmitRaz
ILS6 EvelinTohar
 Tia & Fay
Models
ILS7 TiaFay
 Yael & Yosiel
Cousins
ILS8 YaelYosiel
Latin America
LAS1 TamaraMatías
LAS2 CarlosMauricio
LAS4 DanielCésar
 Giovanni & Juan Carlos
Brothers-in-Law
LAS6 GiovanniJuanCarlos
Norway
 Morten & Truls
Brothers
NOS1 MortenTruls
 Omar & Bilal
Brothers
NOS2 OmarBilal
The Philippines
 LJ & CJ
Celebrity Best Friends
PHS1 LJCJ
 Matt & Phoebe
Dating Couple
PHS2 MattPhoebe
Ukraine
 Valeria & Bohdana
Beauty Queens
UAS1 ValeriaBohdana
Vietnam
 Hương Giang & Criss
Singer/Athlete
VNS3 HươngGiangCriss
 Ngọc Anh & Nhật Anh
Diving Coaches
VNS4 NgọcAnhNhậtAnh
 Lincoln & Tiến Đạt
Hotel Manager/Rapper
VNS5 LincolnTiếnĐạt
LeHangHHenNie
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