Intrepid Final Three Teams Compete in Adventurous Race Across Island

KINGSTON, JAMAICA – May 11, 2005 – Last night’s finale of the Emmy Award-Winning CBS reality TV show The Amazing Race found the top three teams traversing across the island of Jamaica in a penultimate push towards the finish line and a one million dollar prize. Teams were in a close battle that had them racing from the capital city of Kingston on the south east coast across the island to the resort region of Montego Bay. In between the two points, they faced a series of challenges unique to the diverse culture, people and landscape of Jamaica.

“Jamaica is a destination that had many of the components that make the show successful and interesting for viewers, such as a compelling and adventurous terrain. Many of the activities incorporated into the show are identifiable with Jamaica and made for challenges that were physically, mentally and emotionally demanding upon the teams, noted the show’s Co-Creator, Elise Doganieri. “Furthermore, the professionalism of the Jamaican people helped make filming a logistically demanding show a great success.”

Upon arriving in Kingston, teams made their way by taxi to Frenchman’s Cove in Port Antonio to compete in a beachside fire-limbo Roadblock. After camping out for the night on the beach, teams headed to the Grant’s Level access point on the Rio Grande River. Here, they had to choose between “Building It” – assembling bamboo rafts used for touring the river, an activity which was more strenuous but shorter in duration; or “Rafting It” down a section of the river, which was less physically demanding, but proved considerably more time consuming. Upon completion of the challenge, teams traveled west to the resort region of Montego Bay for a Pit Stop at Round Hill Hotel and Villas Resort.

The following day, teams rose early and found a Route Marker directing them to Cool Breeze Onion Shack where each team had to pick up a large bag of onions. They had to transport the bag to Three Dives Jerk Shack in Negril and chop the entire bag of onions to the satisfaction of the lead jerk chef. Upon completion, teams were directed to Rose Hall Great House in Montego Bay, where they had to choose between a Detour of “Ponying Up” or “Teeing Off.” In option A, team members had to ride horses from Half Moon Equestrian Center through the ocean at Sunrise Beach to retrieve a clue floating on a buoy. In option B, team members went to The White Witch Golf Course, donned golf attire and shot balls from the hilltop driving range until they struck a target 130 yards deep and 40 feet in diameter.

Upon successful completion of the chosen task, teams then raced towards Sangster International Airport to secure tickets to their next destination.

David Shields, Deputy Director of Tourism for the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), added “Working with the producers of the Amazing Race to bring the show to Jamaica has been an exciting project for the JTB. The show is the perfect conduit to expose the world to the diversity of Jamaica’s culture and people as well as the adventurous opportunities that can be discovered on our island.”

About The Amazing Race
The Amazing Race has become a hit mainstream reality show for CBS, averaging 12 million viewers per episode this season and recently winning its second straight Outstanding Reality/Competition Program Emmy.

About The Jamaica Tourist Board
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. Currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Board is responsible for the worldwide tourism marketing and promotion for the island country of Jamaica. The JTB’s mandate has been to promote Jamaica as a preferred travel destination, identify new and emerging consumer groups, cultivate new relationships with travel partners and disseminate timely and useful marketing information to its offices and travel partners worldwide. JTB offices are located in Jamaica, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Düsseldorf, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam and Tokyo.

Details of upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica are posted on the Jamaica Tourist Board’s Web site at www.visitjamaica.com JTB can be reached toll-free at 1-800-233-4JTB (1-800-233-4582).