‘Race to Survive: New Zealand’ Recap – ‘Kahuranghi Coast’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

RACE TO SURVIVE: NEW ZEALAND -- “Kahuranghi Coast” Episode 207 -- Pictured: (l-r) Ethan Greenberg, Tyrie Mann Merrill -- (Photo by: Brian Finestone/USA Network)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 207 of ‘Race to Survive: New Zealand’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular aspect of game shows and competition shows that is quite popular, is how they rarely deviate from their structure or their rules. A move that gives both the audience and the contestants familiarity and comfort. Since everyone knows what lies ahead and that helps the competitors gain an edge sometimes. Since they can figure out patterns and strategies and perhaps use those to garner a big, big win. In fact, it is safe to say that even Race to Survive: New Zealand on USA Network abides by this. Since strategies to win have been forming thanks to the fact that everyone battling for $500,000 is starting to understand what the races look like week to week.

Which is why this week’s episode was so incredibly surprising. Simply because, the powers that be behind this series… threw comfort and structure out of the window. To offer us a vastly different type of competition that kept everyone on their toes while shaking things up, and this is a feat that ‘Kahuranghi Coast’ accomplished, by having everyone basically move into a segment of the race that was unfamiliar and tough. For they were transported to the Kahuranghi Coast and informed that one of the most grueling races to date lie ahead and that the rules had changed. For this was an open race, one where there would be no stoppage at the twelve-hour mark and where everyone would be pushed to their physical limits like never before.

Courtesy of rock climbing and scaling, and outright steep descents. Alongside long stretches of running and wading through the tide as it ebbed inland throughout the day. Plus, they had to tear through some difficult brush and do some kayaking to make it to the finish line and that… changed everything. Because the strategies that so many came up with an episode or two ago meant nothing. This was about physical endurance and quick thinking and navigation skills. For there were paths that would make life easier for competitors and well… that definitely brought about all kinds of changes and surprises to the traditional leaderboard we’ve enjoyed over the past few weeks. In part because of injuries since Bronsen was struggling with, his knee and his forearm and that slowed, he and Ryan down. 

In fact, it was enough to put Paulina and Creighton in third place for a change, since they were resurgent and eager to make their mark, and of course, Kennedy and Nik followed their ‘snail’ edict by just chugging along at a measurable pace, which did keep them in the mix. But truly, it was the advent of hard physical endurance that really shook this race up and changed everything. Mainly because Corry and Oliver came to learn that not eating well at the last camp, was going to be a problem. For while they were moving at a decent pace and had the lead for a while, they started to feel the wear and tear on their bodies, and fatigue, and that allowed for Tyrie and Ethan, to finally overtake them, and win this race.

That really was quite the twist since that duo have dominated from day one, and it was wild to see them understand they weren’t at their best and that they had been bested and well… all of that came courtesy of change. Because this coast, and the rule changes really did level the playing field, and now it is a true race to the finish line to see who will be going home and that’s just amazing. Because you so rarely see this kind of change up in a competition series, but it really did work out well and it really did lead to one amazing episode. Because it was just epic and breathtaking to watch everyone push themselves in some form or fashion, and this episode does leave us eager for more. Since now… it really is anyone’s race, thanks to one incredible surprise. Until next time.

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