Kris Perkins and Jon Buehler are a Dating Long-Distance team on The Amazing Race 6.
Despite being a long-distance dating couple, the two got along well throughout their time in the race, in sharp contrast to most of their competitors. This harmonious relationship allowed the dating couple to perform well on most tasks and make it to the final three. However, they made a crucial mistake in the final leg by not searching thoroughly enough for the earliest-arriving flight to Chicago, leaving them just minutes behind Freddy & Kendra. Despite catching up to their opponents at several points during the final leg, a passing train as they trailed Freddy & Kendra to the Finish Line proved to be their undoing, resulting in Kris & Jon finishing in 2nd place.
Kris and Jon are dating long-distance between Long Beach, California and Scottsdale, Arizona, respectively. They met in Scottsdale on Kris's 30th birthday, when Jon was tending bar at the club where she was celebrating. They've been passionately in love ever since, but his career (he is part owner of the club) and her responsibilities at school have kept them in a long-distance relationship.
Kris once worked as a go-go dancer in a nightclub, but now she is a cocktail waitress and studying geography in her senior year at UCLA. She describes herself as "animated and spontaneous." Her hobbies are snowboarding, beach volleyball and golf.
Jon is a "working partner" in a nightclub in Scottsdale, Arizona. He believes he is a "passionate and determined" person, and his favorite hobbies are snowboarding, surfing and water polo. He's a member of the Arizona Masters Water Polo team.
Kris & Jon are hoping that doing the Race together will show them if their relationship can work on a 24/7 basis, and if they should put an end to the long-distance part of their relationship.[1]
How would you describe your previous travel experience?
Kris: Not too extensive. I have traveled mostly to countries and places where you could get by with English and a little of the native language.
Jon: My previous travel experience has consisted of seeing most of the major metropolitan capitals within the US, travel through Mexican destination cities with extensive visits to Cabo San Lucas, and travel through most of Western Europe.
What is the most stressful aspect of traveling?
Kris: The most stressful aspect of traveling for me is actually getting to the airport on time. Once I am on my way, I make it a point not to let myself get stressed out. I'm on vacation, right?
Jon: The most stressful aspect of traveling is waiting in lines.
Why did you want to be on THE AMAZING RACE?
Kris: Travel and competition are my two favorite things! I could not imagine a better experience. I get to travel around the world, and if I do really well, somebody wants to give me a million dollars. Hmmm…
Jon: I want to be on THE AMAZING RACE to have the opportunity to discover new countries, face extreme challenges, and push my physical and mental limits.
Have you and your partner traveled together before? If so, what was it like?
Kris: Jon and I have only traveled together to domestic destinations, like Las Vegas. We have a great time together. However, we are so much alike that it is like we have traveled together a million times before.
Jon: Kris and I have traveled together within the US. Our last trip was to Las Vegas, and we had an excellent time. Imagine that! We are very compatible when it comes to travel, and we are excited to see and experience new adventures together.
What do you fear most about competing in THE AMAZING RACE?
Kris: The thing I fear most is being eliminated first. I know we have the ability to do very well, but this Race has a lot to do with luck, too. I would hate to make a simple mistake and have that cost us the Race and/or the chance of making it to another country.
Jon: The only fear I have at this point in competing in THE AMAZING RACE is being eliminated first. If we can get past the first Pit Stop, I know we can go a long way.
What strengths and weaknesses do you bring to the Team?
Kris: I think that I bring patience and a thorough thought process. I will be the teammate who will pay attention to the little details (my hopes, anyway). I am also very competitive and feel that I can hold my own in any situation. It is hard to admit to weaknesses when competing against 10 other strong Teams, but I have to be forthcoming and say that my biggest weakness is that I get frustrated when things aren't going my way. This could be a huge weakness in this Race, especially if I am so frustrated that I can't think straight.
Jon: I feel the strengths that I bring to our Team are a positive and competitive attitude as well as physical strength and endurance. My weakness lies within my eagerness to succeed and not always paying attention to the minor details.
What strengths and weaknesses does your teammate bring to the Team?
Kris: Jon is extremely strong and just a competitive as I am. He will bring our Team speed and endurance. Jon's other strengths are that he stays relatively calm in situations and is very intelligent. He also brings me strength. What can I say, I can find no weaknesses in my man. He is just simply badass!
Jon: Kris is an extremely competitive and wise teammate. She has a keen sense and a great ability to pay attention to detail. I still have found no weakness within her!
What will you miss the most from home (besides your bed)?
Kris: I will really miss having music around all the time as well as a reliable hot shower. There really won't be time to "look your best," which is sad considering this is national television, but on the other hand, we are here to win a race, not a beauty pageant!
Jon: I will miss my home-cooked meals and warm showers from home.
What languages do you speak?
Kris: I speak English, and that is pretty much it. I took French in college, but only the required amount so, needless to say, my French is very limited!
Jon: I speak English and Spanglish.
What destination are you hoping to visit?
Kris: Honestly, I am hoping to visit places I have not or would not consider visiting on my own. I hope we go to crazy places that will truly be an insane experience!
Jon: I am excited to see any new destinations. I have always been intrigued and interested in visiting Iceland, though my preference in a destination is usually sunny and with a beach.
What country do you feel best prepared for?
Kris: I feel best prepared for any country that speaks English. You know, like Canada, England and, oh yes, even Belize! I'm afraid that beyond that, I'm not really that prepared, especially in the language department. But make no mistake: I'm not afraid of a little challenge, either!
Jon: I feel most prepared for England, being that I have visited several times and have a bearing on the cities and transit. Needless to say, I'm ready for anything, so bring it on![2]
> The team used the Yield < Recipient of the Yield
Notes: 1:
Leg 6 was a double-length leg, with two Detours and two Roadblocks, shown over two episodes. The placement listed in the top row reflect the order teams arrived at the leg's halfway point.
Post-Race[]
On April 21, 2007, Kris & Jon attended the wedding of Hayden & Aaron.[3]
Kris and Jon got married on July 10, 2012.[4] The couple currently have two sons.[5]
Trivia[]
External links[]
Interviews[]
Harry Smith on The Early Show (02/09/2005): "Freddy, Kendra Out-Race Others"
Ethan Alter at TV Guide Online (02/14/2005): "Race's Kris and Jon Move On"
Luanne J. Hunt at San Bernardino Sun (03/01/2005): "Jon and Kris say 'Amazing Race' brought them closer than they ever imagined"
JonAndKrissy's Facebook: /jonandkrissy
