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Frank Mesa and Margarita Mesa are a Separated Couple team on The Amazing Race 1.

They were top competitors from the very beginning, and like the other teams they were not fans of Joe & Bill. However, they instead chose to focus on the Race and their own relationship. Like Rob & Brennan, they wound up easily making the final three after the remaining teams fell behind by hours, where they were very excited to discover the Finish Line was in Queens, in their neighborhood. However, they still fell behind Rob & Brennan and ultimately finished 2nd.

Profile[]

Retrieved from CBS.com[1]

"Being best friends and respecting each other is the key to great, loving relationship we have now."

When Frank and Margarita were teenagers, a mutual friend introduced them, and they hit it off right away. They've had fun traveling together before, because they both enjoy learning about people and experiencing other cultures. They auditioned for THE AMAZING RACE because their combined talents make them a strong Team: Frank is intelligent, level-headed and physically strong; Margarita is patient, intelligent and has a keen intuition. Although they've been separated for a year, they're considering getting back together, and see THE AMAZING RACE as an opportunity to find out how well they can work together.

Frank[]

I'd most like to receive a letter from: My daughter (if she could write!)
Comfort item from home I'll miss the most: Bed with lots of pillows
Hobby or activity I'll miss the most: Working out with free weights
I'd most like to receive a phone call from: My daughter
Sunday paper I read most often: New York Times
Favorite TV show: Lonely Planet
Favorite Movie: Scarface
Favorite Actor: Al Pacino
Favorite Actress: Hillary Swank
Favorite Music: Hip Hop

Margarita[]

I'd most like to receive a letter from: My old best friend in California
Comfort item from home I'll miss the most: My daughter
Hobby or activity I'll miss the most: Playing with my daughter
I'd most like to receive a phone call from: Any of my close friends or family
Sunday paper I read most often: New York Times
Favorite TV show: Seinfeld
Favorite Movie: Cast Away
Favorite Actor: Javier Bardem
Favorite Actress: Juliette Binoche
Favorite Music: Hip Hop; R&B; Salsa

The Amazing Race 1[]

Race History[]

Frank & Margarita's Race History
Episode Leg Destination(s) Detour Choice
(underlined)
Roadblock
Performer
Placement Notes
1 1 United States → South Africa → Zambia Air / Land Frank 3 of 11 [1]
2 2 Zambia → France Far / Near Frank 4 of 10
3 3 France Tough Climb /Easy Walk Frank 2 of 9
4 4 France → Tunisia Full Body Brew / Full Body Massage Frank 4 of 8
5 5 Tunisia Listening / Puzzling Margarita 5 of 7
6 6 Tunisia → Italy Foot / Hoof Frank 1 of 6 [2]
7 7 Italy → India Used Fast Forward 1 of 6
8 8 India Elephant / Row Boat Margarita 2 of 5
9 9 India → Thailand Public / Private Frank 2 of 5
10 10 Thailand Hike / Climb Frank 2 of 4
11 11 Thailand → China Volley / Rally Margarita 1 of 4
12 12 China → United States Flat / Steep Frank 2 of 3
13 13 United States Dog Power / Horsepower Frank 2 of 3
Average 2.38
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: Leg 1 had an unaired Roadblock where one teammate had to cook a whole ostrich egg for the whole team to eat. Frank was shown completing the task in the DVD release.
2: Frank & Margarita originally checked in at the Pit Stop in 1st Place, but they incurred a 30-minute penalty for not following a clue correctly before they were officially checked in. However, This did not affect their placement.

Post-Race[]

  • Frank and Margarita initially reconciled after the race,[2] but divorced and now remain good friends.
    • Frank has been married to Lisa Francouer Mesa since August 2006.[3]
  • Frank was present at the Starting Line for the Season 25 premiere (at Times Square) with The Amazing Race fans and other former racers to witness the start of the new season.
    • The first clue instructed the teams to approach "a contestant from the first season", pertaining to Frank, to ask him the location of the Finish Line of his season's finale, Flushing Meadows – Corona Park in Queens, also his hometown.

Trivia[]

Franchise Records[]

  • First team to ever be introduced by the host.
  • Frank & Margarita, along with Lenny & Karyn, are the first African American teams to compete in the Race.
    • By extension, they are also the first African American team to make it to the final leg.
  • First co-ed team to win a leg.
    • By extension, they are also the first co-ed team to win the Fast Forward pass.
  • First team to win consecutive legs.
  • First team to qualify for the final three.
  • First team to have the highest racing average of a season.

Other[]

  • Margarita was the last female standing in season 1.
  • Highest racing average on The Amazing Race 1, with 2.38

External links[]

Interviews[]

  • Jane Clayson on The Early Show (12/14/2001): "Ding Dong The Lawyers Won"
  • Brill Bundy at Zap2it (12/14/2001): "The Amazing Crosses the Finish Line"
  • Jessica Liese at RHAP (10/20/2014): "Amazing Race 2014: Episode 4 RHAP-up with Season 1 Runner-up Frank Mesa"

Social Media Profiles[]

References[]

The Amazing Race 1 Teams
 Dave & Margaretta
Married 40 Years
S1 DaveMargaretta
 Frank & Margarita
Separated Couple
S1 FrankMargarita
 Joe & Bill
Life Partners
S1 JoeBill
 Kevin & Drew
Fraternity Brothers
S1 KevinDrew
 Kim & Leslie
Roommates
S1 KimLeslie
S1 LennyKaren
 Matt & Ana
Married
S1 MattAna
 Nancy & Emily
Mother/Daughter
S1 NancyEmily
 Pat & Brenda
Working Moms
S1 PatBrenda
 Paul & Amie
Engaged
S1 PaulAmie
 Rob & Brennan
Best Friends/Lawyers
S1 RobBrennan
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