Nine two-person teams will be attempting to survive in treacherous New Zealand terrain on USA Network’s Race to Survive: New Zealand. This season’s competitors include endurance athletes, airborne firefighters, and river guides, all vying for the $500,000 grand prize.
“In the most harrowing outdoor adventure competition yet, challengers must rely on a combination of endurance racing, survival skills, and intuition as they navigate 150 miles of New Zealand’s harshest terrain,” reads USA Network’s synopsis. “From the depths of ancient caves to frigid alpine summits, every step and every calorie is hard-earned. However, strength and speed alone won’t be enough to win $500,000. Rather, only those with the strongest will to survive can claim this life-changing prize.”
The reality competition series is executive produced by Jeff Hasler, Brian Lovett, and Meredith Prunkard. Jeff Conroy serves as executive producer and showrunner. The season premieres on Monday, May 20, 2024 at 11pm ET/PT with a 75-minute episode.
Race to Survive: New Zealand Contestants:
- Fierce endurance athletes and mothers: Rhandi Orme (40) from Kaysville, UT and Ashley Paulson (42) from St. George, UT.
- Climbing kings from New York: Mikhail Martin (33) and Steffen Jean-Pierre (35).
- Divorced daredevils from Salt Lake City: Creighton Baird (34), and Paulina Peña (31).
- A son and father-in-law: Bronsen Iverson (20) from Hurricane, UT and Ryan Stewart (43) from Lehi, UT.
- White water river guides from Jackson, WY: Oliver Dev (29) and Spencer “Corry” Jones (26).
- Ultramarathoning friends: Donald “Jeff” Watterson Jr. (46) from Newcastle, IN and Coree Woltering (33) from Chattanooga, TN.
- Elite airborne firefighters: Ethan Greenberg (32) from Boston, MA and Tyrie Mann Merrill (28) from Reno, NV.
- Rhode Island racers: Emilio Navarro (56) from Cranston, RI and Heather Sischo (42) from Warwick, RI.
- Oil rig workers from Alberta, Canada: Nikola “Nik” Milutinovic (37) and Kennedy Taylor (26)
USA Network offers this description of what the teams will be up against: “Nine teams of two will navigate the deceptively beautiful New Zealand landscape, tasked not only with sourcing their own food and water, but beating their counterparts in a race to the finish as well. The duos must brave the foreign land and elements while realizing the fastest route might not always be the safest. In each leg of the race, the last team to reach the finish line will be eliminated from the competition. If the teams can endure physical pain, an unforgiving environment and each other, for long enough, they just might be able to claim the $500,000 grand prize.”
