Teams » Season 12

Jennifer & Nathan
Dating
Age: Jennifer (23) & Nathan (24)
Occupation: Jennifer (Gymnastics Coach) & Nathan (Waiter)
Hometown: Jennifer (Fountain Valley, CA) & Nathan (Huntington Beach, CA)
This athletic couple first met in college while living together with other friends. Both admit they couldn't stand each other at first, but soon grew closer and started dating. They've broken up several times in their two-year courtship, but remain true to each other. In one breath each will tell you that the other is their soul-mate and in the next, they'll tell you how much the other drives them crazy.

The biggest difference between the two is organization–he's organized and she is not. Both have dominant personalities and tend to be very stubborn.

Nathan teaches volleyball. Jennifer is currently enrolled at Cal State Long Beach. She was also on the Los Angeles Clippers Spirit dance team. Jennifer describes herself as thrilling and loving while he describes himself simply as "one cool dude." Both are eager to put their relationship to the test on a race around the world.

Kynt & Vyxsin
Dating Goths
Age: Kynt (31) & Vyxsin (29)
Occupation: Kynt (Waiter at Texas Roadhouse Restaurant) & Vyxsin (Waiter at Ramsi's Cafe)
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
These best friends have been dating on and off for over three years. These purveyors of Goth pride themselves on keeping Louisville "weird." In their own hometown Kynt & Vyxsin are very active in their local scene, regularly hosting and acting as emcee at rock shows and club nights. The most difficult part of the Race will undoubtedly be keeping up their daily "make up" routine. Between the two of them Kynt & Vyxsin have collectively had their hair dyed 18 different colors. Fashion is a passion for these two.

Vyxsin claims that the biggest difference between the two is that she is very emotional while he is more reserved. She has been trying to get him to open up more and express his true feelings which she claims she's having success doing. Vyxsin describes herself as compassionate and theatrical.

Kynt describes himself as abstract, atypical and avant-garde He claims that the biggest difference between the two is that Vyxsin is more emotional while Kynt is more sarcastic. Both have also worked as receptionists at Kaleidoscope hair salon for several years.

Together they enjoy shopping, dancing and doing each other's hair/makeup. Besides a mirror Kynt & Vyxsin's favorite thing to stare into is their computer monitor as both are admittedly MySpace-addicts. Additionally they both enjoy roadtripping to Sci-Fi conventions across the country where as Kynt puts it, "They feel right at home surrounded by Storm Troopers and Wookies." Both have a dream of someday attending the Wave-Gotik-Treffen in Leipzig, Germany, which is the largest Goth/industrial music festival in the world.

Representing the "Goth" community in Louisville has embedded a strong sense of "us against the world" mentality in these two Racers. Therefore, don't look for them to fall apart when the chips are down, a trait that will undoubtedly be tested on the Race.

Ari & Staella
Best Friends
Age: Ari (21) & Staella (23)
Occupation: Ari (Sever in a Restaurant)
Hometown: Ari )Long Beach, CA) & Staella (Fountain Valley, CA)
These fun-loving friends are all about having a good time. They hope that their carefree approach to the Race will result in the $1 million prize.

These Racers met eight years ago and have been best friends ever since. There is rarely a quiet moment when you put them together. Ari currently lives with Staella's family.

Ari is catty and not afraid to speak his mind, while Staella won't hesitate to flirt her way to the front of the pack. Staella describes herself as honest, trustworthy and caring. She enjoys working out and dancing. Ari describes himself as mean, rude and hilarious and enjoys dancing and talking trash to people.

Look for these two Racers to possibly ruffle some feathers of their fellow competitors while racing around the world but one thing is for certain, they'll have a blast doing it.

Marianna & Julia
Sisters
Age: Marianna (25) & Julia (26)
Occupation: Marianna (Art Gallery Manager) & Julia (Production Assistant)
Hometown: Miami, FL
These feisty sisters describe themselves as best friends and worst enemies, but they're convinced they'll make for an unbeatable Team. Julia serves as the problem solver while Marianna is the athlete. Both are super-competitive and relying on each other may pose some problems.

Marianna claims that the biggest difference between the two sisters is that Julia is emotional while she is as steady as a rock. She describes herself as energetic and sarcastic while Julia describes herself as creative and witty.

Julia is admittedly more sensitive than her sister but is also quick to point out that Marianna doesn't have a sensor button and that at times she can be quite mean. She and her sister have traveled together on numerous occasions and are hoping their experiences will give them an advantage against some of the competition. When asked which Teams they would model their game play after - they both choose past winners BJ and Tyler for their positive energy approach towards the game. As they put it , "Positive energy creates positive results."

Both sisters will do whatever it takes to advance their standing in the Race, even if it means flirting their way past the competition.

Shana & Jennifer
Engaged
Age: 32
Occupation: Shana (Actress and TV Host of an Online Cooking Show) & Jennifer (Legal Assistant and Stock Market Researcher)
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Don't let their good looks fool you. This all-female Team is eager to do whatever it takes to bring home the $1 million prize. Shana and Jennifer met six years ago and have been friends ever since.

Shana describes herself as loyal, passionate and spontaneous. Her proudest accomplishment came when she toured as a back-up dancer/singer for Luis Miguel. She has lived abroad, is well traveled and feels right at home on the road.

When asked how she and her Teammate are most different, Jennifer claims that she is a bitch, while Shana is simply bitchy. When asked how they are similar, she responds "we care about what we look like and we're both intellectuals." She describes herself as competitive, intelligent and determined. Jennifer is also well traveled and is looking forward to hitting the road again.

These ladies are both very competitive and convinced they have what it takes to become the first all-female Team to win the Race.

Rachel & TK
Newly Dating
Age: Rachel (23) & TK (22)
Occupation: Rachel (Owner of High-Style FLower Shop) & TK (Substitute Teacher)
Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA
TK & Rachel have only been dating for close to a year. Both of their moms were friends while they were growing up in Huntington Beach, California, yet they had never really spent anytime together until only recently. This fun-loving couple is always laughing and is eager to see if their relationship can stand up to the rigors of the Race.

Rachel describes herself as bright and ambitious and claims that the biggest difference between she and TK are the lives they've led. He was a collegiate athlete at UC Santa Barbara while she stayed home and bought a business and started working straight out of high school.

TK describes himself as dedicated, witty and intelligent. TK swam in college and was voted team captain of the swim team. He also held the all-time record in the 200-meter backstroke at UCSB (University of California, Santa Barbara).

This free-spirited Team is looking to share the adventure of a lifetime together and maybe win $ 1 million prize in the process.

Azaria and Hendekea
Brother/Sister
Age: Azaria (27) & Hendekea (23)
Occupation: Azaria (Facilities Engineer) & Hendekea (Aerospace Engineer)
Hometown: Azaria (New Orleans, LA) & Hendekea (Torrance, CA)
This brother-sister Team has all the intelligence, wits and skills to win the Race, although their personality differences could be the X factor. She describes him as confrontational and emotional, while he describes her as irrational. Both are worried that the big brother/little sister power struggle will rear its ugly head during the Race.

Azaria lives in New Orleans where he works as a facilities engineer for offshore platforms. He enjoys playing sports, poker and building things. Azaria claims that the biggest difference between the two is he doesn't shy away from strenuous labor, while she is quite dainty. Hendekea moved to California several years ago and currently works as an aerospace engineer. She claims that he picked on her in high school, but now believes it was more of "a love/hate relationship." She describes herself as intelligent and honest.

These siblings just might have what it takes to carry them across the finish line, but they'll need to work together in order to reach that line.

Kate & Pat
Married Ministers
Age: Kate (49) & Pat (65)
Occupation: Kate (Episcopal Priest) & Pat (Ordained Deacon)
Hometown: Thousand Oaks, CA
Kate and Pat dated for seven years before tying the knot three years ago. These well traveled Episcopal clergy are ready for the adventure of lifetime–but don't let the collars fool you–they can play dirty too.

Kate has one grown son. She claims that the biggest difference between herself and Pat is that she avoids conflict while Pat dives right in. Kate describes herself as passionate and sarcastic while Pat says she is persistent and dependable.

Pat's ministry in the community is to people with disabilities. She is also the mother of two sons and grandmother of three. Pat's biggest pet peeve about Kate is that she constantly misjudges her time, an issue that could surely cause problems on the Race.

Both are out to prove that they are not afraid to compete with anyone and they are extremely confident that their years of experience will help them combat the physical prowess of the younger Teams.

Lorena & Jason
Dating
Age: Lorena (27) & Jason (33)
Occupation: Lorena (Bartender) & Jason (Wedding Videographer/Actor)
Hometown: Sherman Oaks, CA
This couple met at a bar over three years ago, quickly started dating and have been trying to figure out if they really belong together ever since. Although they live under one roof, they rarely see each other due to their opposite work schedules.

Lorena and Jason's cultural differences has caused some issues in their relationship and they're hoping the Race might help them figure out whether or not their relationship has what it takes to last.

Jason teaches martial arts. His favorite hobbies are yoga, rock climbing and martial arts. He describes himself as courageous and volatile. Volatile could also be the best word to describe his and Lorena's relationship. Lorena admits that she is a very jealous person, which has caused problems in the past.

Lorena also works as a waitress and is an actress. She admits that the biggest difference between the two is that she stresses out over everything while Jason is much more relaxed. Lorena is ready to get married and this topic in particular has caused some friction in their relationship in the past.

Both are well traveled and very physical. This couple plays together, travels together, exercises together and fights together.

Nicolas & Donald
Grandson/Grandfather
Age: Nicolas (23) & Donald (68)
Occupation: Nicolas (Pilot) & Donald (Retired)
Hometown: Nicolas (Chicago, IL) & Donald (Elkhorn, Wisconsin)
Nicolas started his aviation career at the age of 17 at the University of Illinois and currently works as an airline pilot based out of San Juan. He describes himself as reliable, competitive and goofy. He describes his Teammate as rough around the edges and not too excepting of people who go against his advice.

This grandson/grandfather duo believes that Nicolas's traveling expertise will give them a leg up against the other Teams.

Donald has been married for 42 years and has two children. The sparks will undoubtedly fly along the course of the Race as Donald is never shy about telling his grandson what to do. While Nicolas relies on his ability to read maps and quickly navigate computers, Donald relies on old school street smarts and claims to be a jack of all trades.

Regardless of who's calling the shots in the heat of the Race, these two are looking forward to traveling the world together and creating lasting memories.