by Gina Scarpa

 

When we last left The Amazing Race in Russia, James and Abba checked in without their passports and were turned around by Phil to try to track them down. Over at the Trud Sports Complex, Josh and Brent are down to their last chance as the swimming pool needed to close for the evening. Yeah, they've been there THAT long. They ended up getting their clue but because they failed again, they're going to have to take a penalty at the pit stop. Why are Abbie and Ryan still with them?!

 

James and Abba go to police to try to track down passports, while Abbie and Ryan, and Josh and Brent check in, taking fourth and fifth place. The farmers will be taking a four hour penalty at the start of the next leg, and the rockers find out that this is a non-elimination leg but will need complete a Speed Bump and track down their passports before checking in next time. There's hope yet.

 

The next leg continues in Russia, with teams heading to the Agricultural Academy and tracking down an auditorium to complete a Road Block. Trey and Lexi's cab drivers keep taking them to the wrong place but they finally get the bottom of it - they don't speak English or understand a word they're saying. Ah, that explains it! They finally arrive at the correct location, but not before the Chippendales. Jaymes and Lexi team up for the Road Block, where a map of Russa's nine time zones flashes by, followed by a map of cities in those time zones. They then have a short period of time to figure out the times in those cities, based on the time in Moscow. If it sounds complicated, it's because it is.

 

After 12 tests, the pair finally get to move on to the Detour, where the choices are Movers and Shakers. In Movers, teams have to learn and perform a demanding Russian soldier dance routine, while in Shakers, teams must identify seven Russian leaders at a cocktail party. Of course, the Chippendales opt for dancing, despite the fact that James is fighting through a sprained ankle that occurred all the way back in Shanghai. He's done a good job of keeping that under wraps. Lexi and Trey head to dance as well, hoping her cheerleading background will come in handy.

 

Meanwhile, the twins decide it's time to use the Express Pass when they reach the Road Block and move on to the dance. Back at the Agricultural Academy, Ryan was so confident that he would breeze through the Road Block, then had a blow to his ego when he doesn't figure out the brainteaser until the 25th round. When the farmers show up, Brent gets it on the first try and they breeze through the Shakers task as well. When it comes to intellectual challenges, they're no joke. Swimming, on the other hand, is another story...

 

James and Abba have a student help them translate at a police station to get some help in tracking down their passports but they are unsuccessful. When they finally realize there is no hope, it's time to meet up with Phil and face the music.

 

Teams arrive at the pit stop, located at Sokolniki Park, in the following order:

 

1. Jaymes and James (win a trip to Costa Rica)
2. Trey and Lexi
3. Natalie and Nadiya
4. Abbie and Ryan
5. Josh and Brent
6. James and Abba (eliminated)

 

What terrible luck for James and Abba, having their money stolen by the twins and then losing their passports in a cab. And the Chippendales are quickly becoming my favorite team - they're great competitors with a great attitude. Who are you pulling for?

 

The Amazing Race airs Sundays at 8/7c on CBS.

 

(Image courtesy of CBS)

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa