The Amazing Race 36 Recap – FINALE Live Blog

The Amazing Race 36 Finale Winners — Pictured (L-R): Elise Doganieri, Ricky Rotandi, and Cesar Aldrete. Photo: Jeffrey Neira/CBS

The Amazing Race 36 Recap – WINNER Revealed!

The season finale of The Amazing Race 36 airs tonight on CBS. Read a live recap here.

The leg begins at Sosúa Beach in the Dominican Republic. The teams are on a catamaran, waiting to dive into the water to retrieve their next clue. Ricky & Cesar and Rod & Leticia are starting the leg first, and Juan & Shane and Amber & Vinny will begin fifteen minutes later.

We hear confessionals from Rod & Leticia and Ricky & Cesar. Rod & Letticia want to represent for married couples. Cesar is a super fan of The Amazing Race. Ricky says the million dollars will help them out a lot.

Ricky & Cesar and Rod & Leticia get their clue and learn they have a Detour to complete: Dive Trip or Rum Sip. The former requires teams to assemble diving equipment. The latter requires teams to prepare drinks. Ricky & Cesar and Rod & Leticia choose Rum Sip. Leticia used to be a bartender, so they’re feeling confident in her skills.

Juan & Shane and Amber & Vinny depart second. Juan & Shane say the competition is fierce and they can’t count anybody out. Amber says it adds pressure now that everyone has a 25% chance to win the million dollars. Juan & Shane and Amber & Vinny get their clue and choose the Rum Sip Detour. Amber & Vinny momentarily can’t figure out which way to go, putting them in last place when they finally arrive at the Rum Sip Detour. As they get started, Ricky & Cesar and Rod & Leticia are already done. They get their next clue and learn they must proceed to Cabarete Beach.

Windsurfing in Dominican Republic

In taxis, Ricky gets emotional talking about how much getting to the end of the race would mean to them. Rod can’t do anymore Roadblocks, so Leticia must do the remaining Roadblocks. Juan & Shane are going through their drink orders without issues, but Amber & Vinny make some mistakes.

Ricky & Cesar and Rod & Leticia arrive at Cabarete Beach. They learn they have a Roadblock to complete. One team member must windsurf for sixty seconds. Leticia and Ricky will do the Roadblock. They each get an instructor to help guide them through the task. On Leticia’s first attempt, she loses her balance and falls backwards into the water. The sail also hit her on the head. Leticia manages to complete the Roadblock on her second attempt. Ricky, however, is struggling. He repeatedly falls into the water.

Rod & Leticia are currently in first place. They get their next clue and learn they must proceed to Olympus Beach. Meanwhile, Juan & Shane completed the Detour. They can proceed to the Roadblock at Cabarete Beach. They arrive there, and Juan chooses to do the Roadblock. As he gets started, Amber & Vinny finally complete the Detour.

Ricky is still struggling with the windsurfing Roadblock. Juan manages to complete the Roadblock on his third attempt. Amber & Vinny also arrive, and Vinny chooses to do the Roadblock. Juan & Shane get ahead of Ricky & Cesar as they make their way to Olympus Beach.

Ricky finally completes the Roadblock. He and Cesar can proceed to Olympus Beach too, but Amber & Vinny are right behind them. Vinny completed the Roadblock on his second attempt.

Team No. 1 revealed. A team is eliminated

Rod & Leticia find their next clue and learn the Pit Stop is at Wilson’s Bar. They will travel there by dune buggies and then tandem kayaks. The last team to check in will be eliminated from the race. Juan & Shane depart in second place.

Rod & Leticia greet Phil and get the good news. Rod & Leticia are Team #1! They have also won Expedia OneKeyCash points for a trip to Rome, Italy. After we see Ricky & Cesar and Amber & Vinny depart in their dune buggies, Juan & Shane greet Phil as Team #2. There’s only one spot left. Can Amber & Vinny catch up to Ricky & Cesar, or are they too late?

Ricky & Cesar greet Phil as Team #3. It was a very close race as Amber & Vinny are in their kayaks in the water behind them. Amber & Vinny have been eliminated from the race. They say they learned a lot from each other throughout the race. While on the mat, Vinny gets down on his knee and proposes marriage to Amber. Amber says yes.

Leg Summary

1st place: Rod & Leticia

2nd place: Juan & Shane

3rd place: Ricky & Cesar

Eliminated: Amber & Vinny

The Final 3 will fly to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the final leg of the race. The leg will begin on the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. They all read their next clue and learn they must proceed to Lincoln Financial Field. Ricky lived in Philadelphia, so he feels like he and Cesar have an advantage today.

On to Philadelphia for the final The Amazing Race leg

Rod & Leticia are the first to find the clue box. They learn they have a Roadblock to complete. One team member must become a mascot and go through an obstacle course. If they complete the course, then they will get their next clue. Leticia and Ricky do the Roadblock. Juan & Shane arrive not too long afterwards. Shane chooses to do the Roadblock.

Ricky is the first to complete the Roadblock. They must now proceed to Pat’s and Geno’s. Leticia and Shane end up completing the Roadblock not too long afterwards. Before Juan & Shane depart, they ask to borrow a local’s phone to know where Pat’s and Geno’s is. It’s a cheesesteak place, but they mistakenly think they need to go to a pizza joint. They end up driving to New Jersey before realizing their mistake. This blunder will likely put them out of the running for the million dollars.

Ricky & Cesar and Rod & Leticia arrive at Pat’s and Geno’s and learn they must proceed to Head House Square. Once there, they must recite the Preamble. Both teams arrive there at the same time. They do their best to memorize the Preamble. Each teammate will recite different sections.

Ricky & Cesar fail on their first attempt. Rod & Leticia fail their first attempt too. However, Ricky & Cesar pass on their second attempt. They can now proceed to Betsy Ross House. Meanwhile, Juan & Shane finally arrive at Pat’s and Geno’s. They learn to proceed to Head House Square where Rod is still struggling with the Preamble.

American flag and Liberty Bell

Ricky & Cesar arrive at Betsy Ross House and learn there is a Roadblock to complete. One team member must piece together America’s first official flag. Cesar chooses to do the Roadblock. As he gets started, Rod is getting frustrated with his struggle back at Head House Square. He can’t remember all the words he needs to recite. He feels defeated, but Leticia tells him to take his time. Finally, Rod & Leticia complete the task just as Juan & Shane arrive. Juan & Shane wish them luck.

Cesar manages to complete the Roadblock before another team arrives. He and Ricky can now proceed to Arch Street Meeting House. As they leave, Rod & Leticia arrive. Leticia gets started on the Roadblock. Meanwhile, Juan & Shane complete reciting the Preamble.

Ricky & Cesar arrive at Arch Street Meeting House. They must assemble a 3D puzzle of the Liberty Bell. Once completed, they will get their final clue of the race. They get started as Juan & Shane join Rod & Leticia at Betsy Ross House. Juan chooses to do the Roadblock.

Juan ends up completing the Roadblock before Leticia. He and Shane can proceed to Arch Street Meeting House. But they are likely too far behind. Ricky & Cesar have already assembled their puzzle of the Liberty Bell. They get their next clue, letting them to know to race to the Finish Line: Glen Foerd Estate.

And the winner of The Amazing Race 36 is…

Leticia finally completes the Roadblock, and she and Rod can join Juan & Shane at the final task. Both of these teams are working on their puzzles at the same time, but they are racing for second place at this point. We see Juan & Shane complete their puzzle before Ricky & Cesar arrive at the Finish Line. Juan & Shane can proceed to the Finish Line too. We also see Ricky & Cesar struggle with directions, but this could be creative editing to make the last moments of the episode as suspenseful as possible. Who arrives at the Finish Line first?

Ricky & Cesar win The Amazing Race!

Cesar says the million dollars sets up a foundation for them. Ricky says Cesar is his best friend and he loves him. They are looking forward to starting a family together. Some time later, Juan & Shane arrive as Team #2. Juan says it’s been a blessing. Shane says it was such a blast.

Rod & Leticia complete their puzzle and can proceed to the Finish Line. They finally arrive, officially Team #3. Phil asks them what is the key to a successful relationship. Rod says the biggest key is to forgive and apologize. Leticia says she leads by example, and she knows their kids will be proud.