When Scott and Blair Fowler reached the end of the first leg of the race, they thought it was over. They were the last team to arrive, at the back of the pack after Scott struggled to complete the Road Block at Teotihuacán. But then something miraculous happened: Phil Keoghan informed the team that the first leg was non-elimination, and they would continue on with the race. Blair was so overjoyed by the news that she fell to her knees. Moments later, she picked herself up and continued speeding along with her father.
Several days and passport stamps later, Blair and Scott’s time on The Amazing Race 28 finally came to an end. They survived until the seventh leg, engaging in showmances (this is where Tyler Oakley would say “hash-tag, Blodie”) and forging friendships all along the way. In the end, a difficult dance in Georgia, a luggage mixup, and a very close foot race pooled together to cause the father and daughter duo’s demise in the competition.
Ahead of tonight’s new episode, Blair and Scott look back one final time on their experience with The Amazing Race.
PARADE | How intense was the race to the finish? How close was it, ultimately?
Blair: Within 100 meters. It was incredibly close and very intense.
Scott: Our cab got passed and then we stopped closer to the mat than they did, then we couldn’t get our bags out of the trunk because our driver took his time coming around to open the trunk. Then it was a foot race.
PARADE | Scott, what happened with the bag mix-up?
Scott: I thought I was picking up Blair’s bag – I had reminded myself not to leave bags and passports so many times it was automatic and Blair told me she had my bag. Actually, she meant she had both bags. Tyler’s bag was alone where we left our bags.
PARADE | How difficult was the dance to master?
Scott: It would have taken days to master. But “good enough” was also hard. This was a difficult dance for me.
PARADE | Blair, can you talk us through your relationship with Brodie this season?
Blair: During the race, you have a lot of down time to get to know the other contestants. There was a mutual interest between Brodie and I that grew organically.
PARADE | Scott, what was your take on Brodie?
Scott: I really did not get to know him. I got to know Kurt better since we had some time sitting together on the plane. Decent fellow.
PARADE | What’s the status of the relationship today?
Blair: When we got back from the race, we decided it would be best to remain friends.
PARADE | You were the last team to arrive on the first leg of the race, but were saved by the non-elimination. How did that experience fuel you moving forward in the race?
Scott: Greatly. It changed the entire approach to the roadblocks; began learning to be aware of what other teams are doing and aligning with other team members. We were getting better as the race progressed but were still making mistakes.
Blair: That really lit a fire under our booty! We also decided that anything we got to experience after this would be bonus and to enjoy every second.
PARADE | What was your favorite location to visit during the race?
Scott: I liked them all, but the weather in Chamonix was exceptional the day we were there … combined with the excitement, it was the “never again” experience.
Blair: Chamonix was so beautiful, but I also loved Georgia. It’s somewhere I don’t think I would have gone on my own but I’m so thankful I got to see it! Mexico City was also fun to see, because my grandmother was raised there and I’ve never been.
PARADE | What was the high point of your experience on the race? What was the low point?
Blair: I had so many high points! Learning that the first leg was non-elimination and we got to keep going, soaring over the French Alps, watching Dad help Sheri with the oil, and many more. The low point was definitely getting eliminated when we weren’t ready to go.
PARADE | What did you learn about each other while on the race?
Scott: Blair is a great partner. Our relationship transcended parent-child and became a working adults relationship. It was becoming more efficient every day.
Blair: I already knew he was a super dad who could do anything, but this solidified it.
PARADE | What advice do you have for anyone who wants to attempt the race?
Scott: Get out and do things – watch the race episodes to fully understand the game – play games and even the practice the game – travel the world, do unusual things – work with others – be physically up to the task – keep your focus in the game – never give up.
PARADE | Would you do this again? If so, what would you do differently, if anything?
Blair: Oh in a heartbeat! I would leave today if you asked me to! I would train harder, pack lighter and pre-film some videos!
Scott: I would train and execute better to the game, form alliances earlier and keep a focus on learning from others – get ahead early. We were getting better and may have made it further if we had not had the knee injury preventing Blair from doing the dance in Georgia.
The Amazing Race airs Friday at 8 p.m. on CBS.
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