by Gina Scarpa

 

Alliances have never been more important than in the upcoming season of The Amazing Race. Premiering on February 17, the first team that checks in at the first pit stop will receive two Express Passes. They'll get to keep one for themselves, and the other one must be given to another team by the fourth leg. Teams comprised of friends, couples, siblings, and more will travel 30,000 miles, making stops in places like New Zealand, Botswana, and Switzerland along the way as they race to the finish line for the million dollar grand prize.

 

Get to know the teams before the premiere next month and perhaps even make a (very) early prediction about who you think will be a tough team to beat!

 

Names: Idries Abdur-Rahman and Jamil Abdur-Rahman

Relationship: Twin brothers

Occupations: Doctors

 

 

Names: Max Bichler and Katie Bichler

Relationship: Newlyweds

Occupations: Cigar Sales and Pharmacist

 

 

Names: Mona Egender and Beth Bandimere

Relationship: Friends

Occupations: Roller Derby Moms

 

 

Names: Bates Battaglia and Anthony Battaglia

Relationship: Brothers

Occupations: Former and current professional hockey players

 

 

Names: Chuck McCall and Wynona McCall

Relationship: Married

Occupations: Retail Manager/Taxidermist and Cosmetologist/Hairstylist

 

 

Names: David O'Leary and Connor O'Leary

Relationship: Father/son (both cancer survivors)

Occupations: Investment Properties and Professional Cyclist

 

 

Names: Caroline Cutbirth and Jennifer Kuhle

Relationship: Friends

Occupations: Singer/Songwriters, members of the band Stealing Angels

 

 

Names: Joey Graceffa and Meghan Camarena

Relationship: Friends

Occupations: YouTube hosts

 

 

Names: Pamela Chien and Winnie Sung

Relationship: Best Friends

Occupations: Art Director/Fitness Instructor, Senior Project Manager

 

 

Names: Jessica Hoel and John Erck

Relationship: Dating

Occupations: Account Manager and Entrepreneur/Computer Programmer

 

 

Names: Matthew Davis and Daniel Moss

Relationship: Best friends

Occupations: Firefighters

 

 

 

The Amazing Race premieres Sunday, February 17th at 8/7c on CBS.

 

(Image courtesy of CBS)

 

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa