Head Down and Hold On

Head Down and Hold On is the season premiere of The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business.

Story

Route Markers

The race begins at San Goringo Wind Farm in Palm Springs, California, United States of America.

Teams have to search through a field containing hundreds of paper airplanes with various words written on them for one matching the clue "Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services", and have to figure out that this was a reference to Qantas, which are written on the correct airplanes. Once teams present a correct airplane to Phil, he will give them their first clue and tickets for one of two flights to their first destination, Sydney, Australia. The first eight teams got tickets for the first flight, and the last three teams got tickets for a flight that left 90 minutes after the first. In addition, the last team to complete the task would be penalized with a U-Turn on the Race's first Detour.

The order when teams found their paper airplane are as follows:

For coming in last place, Amanda & Kris received an automatic U-Turn at the first Detour they encounter.

Upon arrival at Sydney Airport, teams had to travel by train to Circular Quay in Sydney Harbour, they then took a ferry to Manly and made their way to Oceanworld Manly where they would search the area for a clue box containing their next clue.

The team member assigned to perform the Roadblock would have to scuba dive in the Oceanworld shark and ray tank and search the tank for a compass. The compass included a guide to decode a message hidden in series of nautical flags outside. The correctly decoded message instructed teams to go to the Manly 16 ft Skiff Sailing Club, find the Commodore, and tell him the phrase "I am Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" to receive their next clue.

The Roadblock performers per team are underlined:

Teams have to change into wet suits, then join a sailing crew and ride a 16ft Skiff through a race course to a series of buoys that have their next clue.

Teams must walk on foot to Shelly Beach to check in.

For coming in first place, Gary & Mallory won the Express Pass.

This leg is a no-rest leg. Teams would check in as normal, but receive their clue to start the next leg from Phil. The team that comes in last place does not receive a penalty.

Leaderboard

Legend:
First Place • Eliminated • Last placer on a Non-Elimination Leg or continue racing on a No-Rest Leg • Season winner • Season 2nd place • Season 3rd place • ϵ Used the Express Pass• ⊂ User of the first Double U-Turn slot • ⊃ Recipient of the first Double U-Turn slot • ⋐ User of the second Double U-Turn slot • ⋑ Recipient of the second Double U-Turn slot• ∪ Was penalized with an automatic U-Turn

Gary & Mallory 1st place Gary & Mallory Father/Daughter	Amanda & Kris 2nd place Amanda & Kris Engaged	Kisha & Jen 3rd place Kisha & Jen Sisters	Zev & Justin 4th place Zev & Justin Best Friends	Flight Time & Big Easy 5th place Flight Time & Big Easy Harlem Globetrotters
Jaime & Cara 6th place Jaime & Cara Former NFL Cheerleaders	Margie & Luke 7th place Margie & Luke Mother/Son	Ron & Christina 8th place Ron & Christina Father/Daughter	Mel & Mike 9th place Mel & Mike Father/Son	Kent & Vyxsin 10th place Kent & Vyxsin Dating Goths
Jet & Cord 11th place Jet & Cord Cowboys

Trivia

This marks the first time a team is penalized with an automatic U-Turn at the first Detour, although the penalty would not apply until the next leg.
This episode's title is said by a sailing instructor to Jaime & Cara as they almost tipped overboard.
This leg marks the first time in which there is no rest period between two legs.
This marks the first time no team is eliminated in the first leg, as Eric & Lisa were eliminated at the Starting Line of The Amazing Race 15 on the first leg.

Reception

Michael Slezak at TV Line (02/21/2011): "Season Premiere Recap: Swimming With Sharks"

References

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