Eleven celebrity teams embarked on a global journey in the season premiere of The Amazing Race Australia Celebrity Edition. Leaving their comfort zones, they began their race in Buenos Aires, aiming to win $100,000 for their chosen charities.
The initial challenge directed the teams to Gomero de la Recoleta, a historic tree, where they had to find a statue of Atlas holding up a branch for their next clue. This led them to search for four dog walkers, a task Thorpie quickly solved with his Spanish skills.
Nat Bassingthwaighte and her sister Mel excelled, receiving the first Detour clue. Teams chose between ‘National Dance’ and ‘National Sandwich’, each with its pros and cons.
Comedian Luke McGregor and his mother Julie faced challenges with the physical and unusual nature of the dance task. Recognising their position, they opted for a 30-minute time penalty instead of completing the routine.
With all teams advancing to the next challenge, the race remained wide open. The Tillies charged ahead, receiving the final clue and reaching the first Pit Stop. Despite making up time, Luke and Julie had to serve their penalty, ultimately becoming the first team eliminated as the other teams checked in.
Luke was naturally sad about their early exit, mentioning the camaraderie among teams. He joked about his mother’s desire to beat Ian Thorpe, a rival she couldn’t outswim but hoped to surpass in the race.
Luke also reflected on the race’s physical demands, saying, “It’s the hardest thing I’ve done on TV. It reminded me of cross-country as a kid.”
