The Amazing Race is set to premiere an astonishing 34th season on Sept. 21. With all that history,The Amazing Race has had some amazing competitors fighting to win, resulting in some teams returning multiple times to finally take home the prize. But not every returning duo has been able to clear the bar they set for themselves with their past performance.
Whether it's been fan-favorites or teams who were taken out of the race due to medical emergencies, some of the returning contestants had a lot of hype at being able to prove themselves again, only for their performance to fall short.
Teri and Ian (Season 11)
Many teams are tripped up in large part due to transportation. Many a team has lost first place because of a taxi ride gone wrong, and it's a heartbreaking thing to watch. When season 3 returnees Teri and Ian came back to race in season 11, they were taken out after not making it on the flight with everyone else, resulting in them being 12 hours behind.
Redditor everythingreality said, "It’s clear they’re a very strong and competent team so it was sad to see them get so unlucky when it came to flights." It's a shame to see a strong team eliminated because of something like transportation, but it happens more often than not. They made a critical error of being too polite and not fighting for a spot on an earlier flight.
Charla and Mirna (Season 11)
Charla and Mirna first played on season 5 of The Amazing Race. Due to their quirky behavior, hilarious quotes, and being known for having some of the biggest rivalries with other Amazing Race competitors, they were fan-favorites from the get-go. When they were asked back to participate in season 11, fans were overjoyed.
Charla and Mirna performed well but the biggest disappointment to fans was that they didn't win. Redditor baddiebusted said, "If Charla and Mirna (or the fan favorites at the time) had won, would people enjoy this season more? I mean I would, they really deserved it and brought a lot of the entertainment once rob and amber were eliminated." The winners of season 11 were a disappointment and since Charla and Mirna were so entertaining, it was a let-down that they didn't win.
Rob and Amber (Season 11)
Rob and Amber have been a mix of fan-favorite and villain since they started their career on reality TV. They are undeniably competitive and competent, which is what makes them such good TV and how they keep getting brought back season after season.
Rob and Amber were extremely impressive in season 7 which is why, when they came back for season 11, one of the best seasons of The Amazing Race, fans were shocked that they were eliminated so early on. When discussing surprise early eliminations, Redditor Dawntodusk87 said, "Rob and Amber (8th) (1st place 3 times in a row before coming last? Ouch)."
John Vito and Jill (Season 11)
John Vito and Jill were fan favorites from season 3 and made it to 5th place. Many fans were looking forward to their return, but unfortunately, they were the first team eliminated in season 11. Redditor everythingreality said, "I think that this season they really had something they wanted to prove and I’m sad they weren’t able to." They were even in first place at the beginning of the leg but got horribly lost, resulting in their elimination.
It's always tough to watch favorite teams not be able to live up to their potential, especially in an all-star setting. After getting so close to winning in season 3, it's devastating to be the first team out when there is so much more to play.
Jaime and Cara (Season 18)
Jaime and Cara did well the first time around, placing in 2nd. But once again, an errant taxi ride sent them to the wrong location and they were unable to come in first. They returned for season 18 in Unfinished Business but didn't perform very well.
Similar to season 14, they both struggled with communicating with people in foreign countries and navigation. Their downfall was a roadblock that everythingreality said, "I think their elimination was kind of bs in the same way Maria and Tiffany’s was with it being heavily skewed against women. They were some really fun underdogs, and I was hoping they’d make it further."
Natalie and Nadiya (Season 24)
Natalie and Nadiya are a very polarizing team. Viewers either love them or hate them. Their first season was season 21 and they rubbed viewers the wrong way with their constant whining and screaming "twinnie" over and over again. Despite this, they persevered and got 2nd place.
Despite fans finding them annoying, their elimination from season 24 of The Amazing Race was shocking. They got in their own way and were eliminated first. Ben121frank said, "Their first leg of 24 was maybe the singular most dysfunctional leg ever for a team and I found it hilarious to watch considering they were a pretty objectively strong team on 21."
Mark and Mallory (Season 24)
Mark was disadvantaged from the beginning of this season due to the fact that his original partner, Bopper, had to leave the race before it even began. He was paired up with Mallory by production and the duo struggled from the get-go.
Both of them were fan-favorites on their first seasons so it was disappointing to see them struggle so much. Redditor everythingreality said, "They honestly could have gone far if it wasn’t for the backpack ordeal. Mark really shoulda just left it behind like Mallory could have bought him a new backpack and clothes."
Becca and Floyd (Season 31)
Becca and Floyd (or Team Fun) were a hilarious pair on season 29, making them one of the best teams on The Amazing Race. They were randomly paired together but hit it off immediately and were often leaders of the pack. They were taken out of the race too early after Floyd overheated during a roadblock and had to get medical treatment.
Their return to season 31 was exciting but ultimately they fell a bit flat this season. Redditor noegh555 said, "Afghanimals and Team Fun were a little disappointing considering their popularity (might have to watch their first seasons)." They came in at 5th place but overall were a little disappointing to watch.
Rachel and Elissa (Season 31)
Season 31 was the third race for Rachel who previously participated with her husband Brendan. In season 31 she returned with her sister Elissa who revealed behind-the-scenes info about what it's like to compete on The Amazing Race. Rachel and Brendan weren't necessarily fan-favorites but they made for excellent reality TV allowing them to return to the race multiple times.
While Rachel and Elissa performed worse than in previous races, Rachel was more enjoyable when paired with her sister. A now-deleted Reddit user said, "I did like her more with Elissa (and really liked Elissa overall) than Brendan even if they did worse - I think a partner who knows when to tell Rachel to shut it is good for her."
Art and JJ (Season 31)
Art and JJ were memorable for dominating season 20 as well as their feud with Brendan and Rachel. In season 20 they often finished a leg at the head of the pack, and ultimately came in 2nd overall. Their performance on season 31 was vastly different from 20 as it seemed they had lost their competitive spirit.
A Reddit user said, "overall I was pretty meh about them in their one episode - nothing really interested me about them and half the episode was them lost." Their performance was underwhelming, to say the least, and didn't live up to the competitive spirit they had during season 20.