Sisters emerge as perennial MOST Amazing Race contenders
Attention, 2016 MOST Amazing Race teams: Keep your heads on a swivel during this year’s event. If ever you’re leading the pack, rest assured that sisters Emily and Christina Caouette aren’t far behind.
Emily (pictured above, left) and Christina (right) of team “Cao & Eddie” are planning to compete in their fourth MOST Amazing Race on Sept. 24 in St. Paul. In the past three years, they’ve twice placed in the top six – a feat few teams have accomplished since the race began 10 years ago.
Just as impressive, the sisters flat-out won last year’s qualifying race, besting nearly 80 teams.
“We had no idea we were ahead of everyone until we were making our way to the finish line,” recalled Christina, 24, a civil engineer at MnDOT. “It was exciting to hear everyone cheer for us as we ran in.”
Thankfully, the sisters will be able to conserve more of their energy for the 2016 race, which will not include a qualifier.
Christina has been racing two years longer than Emily. Christina first raced with their dad in 2011 and 2012, when Emily was under age 18 and too young to compete.
For young Emily, spectating was not easy.
“I couldn’t wait for my chance,” said Emily, now a 21-year-old student at the University of Minnesota. “We watched the TV show growing up, and it looked like a lot of fun.”
So far, Emily’s favorite race challenge has been Bollywood dancing at Tapestry Folkdance Center in Minneapolis.
“I love how everyone looks completely ridiculous – especially us – but still fully commits to the performance,” said Emily, adding that she also loved plunging off a 10-meter diving platform at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center because “I’ve always wanted to jump off of there.”
Christina’s favorite challenge: the finish line of last year’s race, where CenterPoint Energy set up an elaborate puzzle.
“We had to dress up and pretend we were utility workers and hook up a gas line to a house by reading a CAD design drawing,” Christina explained. “Having to concentrate on what you are doing while trying to beat the teams next to you at the finish was a lot of fun.”
Both agreed on their least favorite challenge: drinking some of the hottest sauces Buffalo Wild Wings offers.
“That was the closest I’ve been to puking in years,” Christina said.
Beyond the race’s zany mental and physical challenges, the sisters also enjoy the camaraderie of the day.
“My favorite part of the race is forming competitive friendships with the other teams,” Emily explained. “We usually end up racing in a group of three or four other teams and we leapfrog each other throughout the race. While we’re riding the light rail or the bus from challenge to challenge, everyone jokes around with each other.”
Christina most enjoys connecting with one racer in particular.
“I come back every year because I get to spend a full day of laughs with my little sister,” she said.
The 2016 MOST Amazing Race will be held Sept. 24 in St. Paul. Registration is now open.