'The Amazing Race' determines four finale teams, including Michael Dombrowski and Rochelle Nevedal

The Amazing Race's dating couple Michael Dombrowski and Rochelle Nevedal survived a non-elimination leg during the 26th season's tenth episode Friday night on CBS.


Michael, a 26-year-old truck stop manager and pro wrestling promoter from Traverse City, MI, and Rochelle, a 29-year-old contract engineer from Kalkaska, MI, have been dating for two years. They were given another chance after arriving at the eleventh leg's Pit Stop in last place.

Because Michael and Rochelle lived to see another day in the Race, the finale will feature the couple competing against three other teams for the $1 million grand prize -- blind daters Laura Pierson and Tyler Adams, blind daters Hayley Keel and Blair Townsend, and blind daters Jenny Wu and Jelani Roy.

The Amazing Race's eleventh leg began with Hayley and Blair ripping open their first clue in first place at 6:39AM followed by Jelani and Jenny at 7:19AM, Mike and Rochelle at 8:35AM, and Laura and Tyler at 8:48AM.

The clue instructed the teams to leave the high-altitude air of the Andes and make their way back down to sea level. There, in the town of Trujillo, Peru, they'd find South America's largest mosaic, which was made up of an estimated 30 million tiles. After retrieving magnifying glasses from a "payaso" -- or a clown -- they had to search for their next clue hidden somewhere within the artwork. 


Mike and Rochelle's car broke down on their way to the mosaic, so Laura and Tyler passed them.

Hayley and Blair arrived at the mosaic and found their clown before any of the other teams. They were then followed by Jenny and Jelani, Laura and Tyler, and Mike and Rochelle.

Once the clown handed the teams their next clue, they learned they must complete one of two possible Detour tasks: "Shake Your Hips" or "Make Some Bricks."

"Shake Your Hips" required the teams to learn the steps and rhythm of the Marinera, a traditional Peruvian dance that represented a man's courting of a woman, and then perform it. Once a team successfully performed the routine, they'd receive their next clue.

"Make Some Bricks" required the teams to help preserve 900-year-old archaeological ruins by making twelve bricks out of mud and sand. Afterward, they had to transport the heavy, dry bricks to a nearby worksite. 


Hayley and Blair opted to take on "Make Some Bricks" as well as Laura and Tyler and Mike and Rochelle. However, Mike and Rochelle knew they were in last place, behind Laura and Tyler, and therefore needed a chance to make up some ground. As a result, they decided to take a risk and switch Detour tasks in the hope "Shake Your Hips" would be faster.

Mike and Rochelle therefore attempted "Shake Your Hips" after Jenny and Jelani conquered it. The switch didn't work to Mike and Rochelle's advantage, however, because they struggled to remember the dance.

An exhausted Hayley and Blair finished the Detour in first place. They were then followed by Jenny and Jelani, Laura and Tyler, and finally Mike and Rochelle.

The teams' next set of clues instructed them to make their way to the corner of Avenida Ribera and Manco Capac in the town of Huanchaco to receive their next clue. 

Hayley and Blair managed to keep their lead and get to Huanchaco in first place. Close on their heels were Jelani and Jenny. Then came Laura and Tyler and Mike and Rochelle. 


Once there, the teams discovered one member from each team had to complete a Roadblock task.

For the Roadblock, the participating Racers had to paddle a reed boat called a Caballito de Totora -- which appeared to be a cross between a paddleboard and surfboard -- out into the ocean and then retrieve a clue from a buoy. 

Blair opted to try the Roadblock on behalf of his team. He was later joined by Jelani, Laura and Rochelle.

Hayley and Blair got it done first. They were soon followed by Jenny and Jelani, Laura and Tyler, and finally Mike and Rochelle.

The teams then had to make their way on foot to the next Pit Stop at the church of Virgen del Socorro.


Hayley and Blair finished the leg in first place, winning a trip for two to India. Jelani and Jenny secured second place, while Laura and Tyler ran to the Pit Stop mat in third place.

Once Mike and Rochelle were greeted by The Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan, they learned it was a non-elimination leg and they were to continue racing immediately. He said the final leg began immediately and handed the couple their next clue, instructing them to fly to Dallas, TX.

Rochelle cried with joy that she wasn't out of the Race just yet. Before she took off with Mike, Phil warned them one couple would be getting eliminated before the finish line.






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski