Amazing Race Standings: Week 10

1. Paul: 990 (-8)
2. Matt: 794 (-7)
3. Dawn: 670 (+37)
4. Carl: 651 (-46)
5. Kim: 302 (-71)

Endgame Points:
1. Paul: 80
2. Matt: 40
3. Dawn: 40
4. Carl: 40
5. Kim: 40

I really disliked the challenges this leg, but at least the three-way tie for last place during most of the leg added some suspense. The Roadblock was fun to watch, but there was no opportunity for one team to outperform another team-- the roadblocking team member just sat in the car as the stunt driver put it through its paces. The Detour was similarly hohum- it seemed like walking on rocks was the easy choice (we'll never know for sure, because all four teams chose it), and how much time could a team gain while walking gingerly over 220 feet of rocky pathway? I will say that the hot tea clue was pretty cool-- I wonder if any of the teams scalded themselves in an effort to gain those precious extra minutes.

The big news in the pool had nothing to do with Paul for a change-- he basically had another nice week, holding firm in the standings and racking up 80 bonus points (versus 40 for everyone else) as two of his top three teams made the top three. He split the 60 point bonus with me for correctly divining Ronald and Christina as First Place Finishers.

No, the big news this week was Dawn, who seemed to be locked into fourth place when the episode started. But since she hit the Jennifer and Nate elimination right on the head, she gained a 50 point bonus, catapulting her above Carl, who suffered badly this week. He not only lost 30 points on the Jennifer and Nate elimination, but he also lost his first place pick overall, thereby depriving him of some serious potential endgame points. And since those potential endgame points were one of the few threats remaining to Paul, Carl's loss is a loss for us all.

Kim continued her plummet unabated, with the only question remaining whether she will finish with any points whatsoever.

Don't forget to send in your prediction for how the top three teams will finish during next week's finale-- it's all about the endgame, now.

And what are we playing for, if Paul is a virtual lock for the title of Amazing Race Genius? The other rankings are as follows:

2nd: Amazing Race Superfan
3rd: Amazing Race Fan
4th: Amazing Race Wannabe
5th: Amazing Race Dunce

Death to Paul!