Race to Survive: New Zealand episode 6 recap: Survivalists vs. Racers

Race to Survive: New Zealand is getting tougher as the competition narrows down. Episode 6, "Death Snails,"--named for the analogy Oliver makes concerning Nik and Kennedy's tenacity--saw the Top 3 teams battling it out for first place once again though the race was far tighter than it has been in recent episodes. As for the last two teams--Nik & Kennedy and Ashley and Rhandi--we were returned to their near neck-and-neck placement at the checkpoint at the start of the episode.

Despite Kennedy falling, she and Nik did creep out ahead of their competition. With Ashley's injury worsening, the question during this leg of the race wasn't whether or not she and Rhandi were going to make a come from behind victory over the team they needed to beat. It was whether or not they were going to have to self-eliminate like the contestants before them--Steffen & Mikhail and Coree & Jeff--or if they'd make it to the end crate to see if they'd have the opportunity to move on with the race.

Here's what happened in "Death Snails."

Who was eliminated in Race to Survive: New Zealand episode 6?

Rhandi Orme and Ashley Paulson

The endurance athletes were eliminated from Race to Survive: New Zealand but it wasn’t because they had to tap out. Ashley and Rhandi finished this leg of the competition despite the injury the former has been dealing with for some time. It was slow going, particularly in Boulder Canyon when Ashley, guided by Rhandi, had to be very careful navigating the rocks and slippery area. If there’s a team that embodies perseverance it’s these two competitors. But, unfortunately, this time the end crate didn’t have another medallion in it despite Coree and Jeff self-eliminating last episode.

Team rankings ahead of episode 7

• 1st - Oliver Dev and Spencer "Corry" Jones
• 2nd - Ethan Greenberg and Tyrie Mann Merrill
• 3rd - Ryan Stewart and Bronsen Iverson
• 4th - Paulina Pena and Creighton Baird
• 5th - Nikola "Nik" Milutinovic and Kennedy Taylor

Ethan and Tyrie went from last place at the start of the third leg of the race to second place which was quite the feat. They secured their position during the kayak portion which saw their vessel knocking against Ryan and Bronsen's though thankfully no one tipped over into the water.

What was interesting about "Death Snail" was the shaking up of the security Oliver and Corry had been feeling for much of the competition. Survival Camp this go around was brutal as the teams initially struggled to catch food. Kennedy and Nik did eventually reel in a barracuda, Ethan and Tyrie caught a fish, and Creighton & Paulina and Bronsen & Ryan split an eel that Creighton snagged after asking to borrow the hunters fishing spear they’d gotten from the end crate. The latter team had prayed for Creighton’s success and their prayers were answered with a quickness! 

Oliver and Corry weren’t so lucky. They’d won a charcuterie board full of delicious meats and cheeses but they couldn’t catch anything while at camp. The river guides nearly caught two fish but one slipped through Oliver’s hands and the other pulled off Corry’s lure. Starving and burning more calories than they can spare, the two are entering race four depleted.

Tyrie mentioned that the pair are good racers but they’re not great survivalists. His sentiment was somewhat echoed by Oliver who’d said they’re here to race not deal with the survival aspect of the show though he knows it’s an integral part of this competition. Their struggle with this element of the race, however, may cause issues for them come episode 7. Unable to recoup some of the calories they lost combined with going up against teams that did manage to eat more than shellfish and dwindling rations could prove challenging for the river guides.

The sneak peek for next Monday’s episode showed Tyrie and Ethan passing Oliver and Corry much to the latter’s disappointment. But, I wouldn’t count them out. We saw what the smokejumpers achieved in race three. The routinely first place could come out on top by the end of the leg like they’ve done so far all season.

Stay tuned to Hidden Remote for more news and coverage as well as my interview with Rhandi and Ashley coming soon!