A three-hour deficit from the first episode left Central Alberta’s Amazing Race Canada contestants too far behind the pack.
The two, Pierre Cadieux of Innisfail and Jamie Cumberland of Airdrie, were eliminated in the second episode of the popular reality television show.
Even though the self-described gay cowboys were bounced from the competition much sooner than they had hoped, Cadieux, a general manager of creditor insurance with ATB Financial, was happy for the experience.
“It was still the most rewarding, challenging and amazing thing I could have ever have done with my best friend,” said Cadieux, 38. “It was a surreal experience. I mean, how often do you get to do something really cool and put yourself in situations and challenges that you never would be able to do otherwise.”
They started the episode, a Vancouver-centric one, three hours behind. Although they never quit trying to catch up, Cadieux said it would have taken another team screwing up significantly for that to happen.
“In our case we needed someone to make a crucial mistake to allow us to get back into the pack, and we fell behind,” he said.
Before the show ever came to Canada, Cumberland, 47, and Cadieux were huge fans, watching all 22 seasons of the American version. Cadieux said he thinks viewers are going to fall in love with the Canadian version and the contestants, calling them amazing people.
“Absolutely no regrets,” said Cadieux. “I don’t think there is any one thing you could say that failed us.”
Although he is unable to say exactly who the eventual winner of the show will be, Cadieux said when they left the show he had two teams he thought could potentially make it.
“The moment we were eliminated my money was on the hippies,” said Cadieux. “Darren and Kristin are physically and mentally fit and are absolutely smart.”
But Cadieux said his partner’s money was on the Dudes, Jet and Dave.
“They come across as being a little arrogant and cocky, but they are very physically fit as well and they are much smarter than they appear,” said Cadieux.
Cadieux and Cumberland met 15 years ago at an Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association fundraising dance and have been friends ever since.
Cumberland’s parents still live in Red Deer and he graduated from Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School in 1984.
“I’m proud of how we raced and I’m proud of the fact that Jamie and I are still friends to this day,” said Cadieux. “It is one of those things you would do again. We’d never get the opportunity, but I would absolutely do that again in a heartbeat. It was the most incredible experience.”
mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com