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NBC moved the semi-finals to Sunday night as a two-hour special. However, as many of you know by now, the program turned out to be the news as NBC producers chose to let NASCAR complete the final lap. Hopefully this was no indication of things to come as I finally got to watch the replay on NBC.com.
Cue lovely stringed music and…a promise that bonds will grow stronger between team members, brothers, teams, and families. So whose bonds proved victorious? In heat 1 we had Saddle Up, Mathletes, and Ninjas. Heat 2 had the Better Halves, Kid Courage, and Stunt Junkies. In honor of the bond I have with my son who is a physics and math major, I went with the Mathletes in Heat 1. For the bond I have with my own autistic youngest son, I went with Kid Courage in Heat 2.
Tonight’s episode began the quarter-finals. The first heat teams included Heart of Texas, Commanding Officers, and Showtime. Heat two included Little Giants, Comeback Kids, and Strike a Pose. I’ve got the CO’s in heat one and the CKs and heat 2
Has Spartan or NBC or both stooped to the low level of drama instead of the sport? I’ll just say that I called it first a week ago with the young lady participating despite having a brittle bone disease. This week we allegedly had one, maybe two non-swimmers. I have to pin this one on NBC and the producers for drama.
Three things drove my interest in tonight’s episode. First, I started friending and following participants on FB. So now, rather than picking them randomly like I do in March Madness, I know a bit more about them. Second, I identify with some of them, especially team Kid Courage. As the father of two autistic sons, I get the struggle. But is it a driver to succeed?
Our hosts wondered aloud if there were demons in this race. Perhaps not. But there were quite a few near-death experiences to help drive a few competitors to some very strong showing. Yet one girl from the Wall Street Warriors said, “You have to sacrifice everything for one another to win.” Personal sacrifice may make you a lot of money in the Manhattan Financial District, but teamwork makes you a winner on SUTC, demons or not.
Before the race, I spent an hour reviewing the trailer and the team photos for the new season of Spartan Ultimate Team Challenge. It felt like March Madness where I pick teams based on as little information as possible. Turns out my initial assessments were wrong. Apolo Ohno called it right. This year's completion will require more teamwork than ever before.
Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge Season 2 airs tonight at 10:00 pm ET on NBC after the premiere of Season 9 of American Ninja Warrior. This year Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge's format has had a makeover. The major changes for season two are the urban environment and the night time shooting.
This week, European Obstacle Course Race Associations come together to form the European Obstacle Sports Federation, Spartan Ultimate Team Challenge brings on new announcers for Season 2, Wolfpack Ninjas Announce new Emcee, and the International Obstacle Course Racing Union puts a call out to all obstacle racers.
Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge is back for a second season with some new hosts. Currently, NBC is testing out the course at an undisclosed location outside of Atlanta and filming of the popular competition reality show will begin soon.
