Well, I don't know now...snowrooster confused me!
Here's what CBS says:
Two pre-determined legs have one FAST FORWARD, which allows the Team that completes the FAST FORWARD task first to proceed directly to the next PIT STOP without having to do any further tasks, including DETOURs or ROADBLOCKs, on the way. The trick is that only the first Team to find and complete the FAST FORWARD on the leg may use it; any subsequent Team that finds it will have wasted their time and must go back and complete all tasks. In addition, a Team may claim only one FAST FORWARD during the entire race.

My understanding of the Fast forward from the show website is there is only one fast forward card in the envelopes. So it was either Colin and Christie use it or no one. Only selected places will have the fast forward this season and it is luck of the draw who gets it. Last season a fast forward was available on every show for the first person to use it.

Colin and Christie arrived before the other teams' planes landed so they have this huge lead, but I have a feeling the other teams will catch up at an airport. I think it was last year when it seemed the surfing friends had this huge lead, but one mistake at the airport and they ended up in the rear.

Oh, and Mirna and her crush on Phil. Funny. I'm wondering if Mrs. Phil will welcome them at one of the pitstops.

So the question is: If Colin and Christine had passed on it, are they eligible for the next one because they didn't take it and therefore didn't do the task?
But then what are they chances they'd get the next one? Isn't it better to get the bigger lead at the beginning?

Yes, I agree. THey really didn't need it last night - but who says they ever find another one? Better to take advantage of it when you have it in hand. Plus two benefits: 1. Another team doesn't get the lead and the mental momentum that provides. 2. You get a nice long rest-up for the next leg!

Now that I understand the fastfoward this year I agree with them taking it. Since there are only two and they KNEW they could get this one, I would have taken it as well.

To clarify for those watching the Race for the first time ... in prior years there was a fast forward available on EVERY leg of the race ... only one team could use it per leg, whoever completed it first ... and each team could only use one fastforward for the whole race. Since there was one available every leg most teams would go for it on a leg where they were in trouble.

The YIELD is new this year but doesn't seem to be working ... nobody has used one yet, right? Anybody know how its supposed to work?

As a world traveller myself, I just love this show. I make it a habit of watching the show on Tues. and the repeat on Sat.

Glad to see that some time was spent at the pyramids last night. Words can not express being at Giza, standing in the sand, viewing the pyramids and the Sphinx. Even though I thought the Sphinx was going to be larger.

Realized that this segment was not an elimination leg when 2 of the teams read the clue and it mentioned MAY BE ELIMINATED...not WILL BE.

Where are they off to next week?

Note to TeacherD. The bowling moms don't have the money that the show provides for the leg of the race. The teams do not have to pay for the airline tickets out of this money. The money the teams are given is for ground transportation -- buses, cabs and trains. The teams probably don't stop to eat at places. They eat on planes and at pit stops. The moms won't have any cash to buy food on the run though. IMO I don't think the Mom's will be able to overcome this.

Everyone will pass the yield on the leg. It is in a prominent place apparently close to one of the clue boxes. Everyone has to look at it for their name to see if they have been chosen. Any team can pick any other team - that is behind them. Then the team that was chosen has to wait 30 minutes at the yield spot - and can be passed by teams that are behind them. It can only be used once by each team, but there is no restriction on how many times a team can be the "victim". It hasn't been used yet, so there is no drama, hence, no appearance on screen yet. Last week at the website there was a picture of Colin & Christie looking at the yield spot on the battleship.
(Phew! Hope that didn't confuse you anymore )

I LOVE this show! I've been a devoted fan since the first season - can't get enough of it!

Since my favorite team (the Internet dating couple) was eliminated last week, I am rooting for the cousins. Charla is awesome! Mirna is slightly annoying, but I still have to root for her team.

I, too, thought that Colin (aka Luke Skywalker - he looks just like a young Mark Hamill) and Christie made a mistake with the fast forward, but I didn't realize the rules were different this year - did Phil ever explain that on the show?

What a wonderful episode last night for scenery and landmarks! All of the places they visited are on my list of things to see before I die. Being able to cross off so many in a 48 hour period is amazing. From the Hermitage to the Sphinx... I know it was miserably cold in Russia, but has anyone seen a more beautiful place in the snow?

It is going to be interesting to see how the bowling moms do with no money. Is that "no money" policy for this next leg only or the entire race? As far as the "fast forward" goes, if only one person gets it in the envelope, then why would the rules at CBS state "any subsequent Team that finds it will have wasted their time and must go back and complete all tasks." How would "subsequent teams" try for the fast forward if they didn't have it in their packets?

I find this year that I am not rooting for a certain team to win but for other teams to be eliminated..at least at this point. I love the teams that take time to enjoy and appreciate where they are, even if it is only a short time. Chip and Kim, the cousins, the bowling moms etc always do that.

I was on vacation and missed a couple of episodes. I did realize that the internet couple had been eliminated but what happened to the daddy/daughter duo?

Can't stand the pizza boys or the catty twins. They are nasty to other teams and occasionally to each other and then cutie pie sweet to get guys to help them in the race. Love, Love, Love, Chip and Kim.

The father daughter team was eliminated because of a mess up at an airport. There was only one coach seat left on the first flight so she took it and the father was on stand by for that flight and booked on another. When the dad did not make his stand by on the first flight, they realized that the daughter did not have a reservation for the flight that the dad was on and it was now full. They both had to take a later flight than the second and were eliminated. It was a shame.

Thanks so much. That does sound pretty bad. Too bad it didn't happen to those bad boys who are insulting and harsh.

I have a question about their flights. In the first episode, Phil said that once they purchase tickets for a flight, they can't buy tickets for a different flight. If you remember in that first episode, the first few teams to arrive at LAX bought tickets for the first flight out, not realizing that the second flight actually arrived earlier. Since they already bought tickets, they couldn't switch.

So how is it that teams change flights all the time now? In last night's episode alone, both Colin and Christie and the cousins switched their flights. Did the rule change - or did I just misunderstand it?

I am guessing that the Moms without cash may barter their possesions for taxi fare.

Keith

The previews for next week shows the moms begging for money in the streets. Depending on how good their begging skills, they may be alright.

As for the flight tickets....on last nights show, did they actually purchase tickets and then change flights, to did they just have reservations without a purchase?

Meredith: I also remember hearing that once you bought the tickets you're stuck with them.
However, I don't remember seeing Colin/Christine, Mirna/Charla buying any tickets on last night's show before they took the earlier flights.

Oooh, good point - I had assumed that they purchased all of the legs at once. See what happens when you assume!

When I see these people running around like banchee monkeys in places like the most famous museum in Russia I am thinking "oh please don't add to the Ugly American stereotype" Couldn't they at least tell them they are from Canada! After all Canadians claim they are from the US when they act badly. I've witnessed it.

My favorites are Mirna and Charla. They are just enjoying themselves - like taking time a few episodes back to do a quick tango with the gentleman who gave them a clue. Then when they checked in with Phil last night, you can tell they just are having a great time. Did anyone else notice how Charla took the time to shake the clue giver's hand and say thank you? I think it was after the horse/camel ride.

And like everyone else, agree that Lance & Marshall have to go! Maybe they won't last much longer with the one having knee problems.