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The Amazing Race (Sundays, 8 p.m. ET, on CBS) concluded its 19th season on Sunday night, and the winning team is…the engaged couple from Chicago, Ernie Halvorsen, 29 and Cindy Chiang, 30.
As anyone familiar with The Amazing Race can attest, this show has been known to strain some relationships. Really, is there a couple on earth that hasn't fought over who's better at reading a map? But for Halvorsen and Chiang, the 40,000-mile journey has only strengthened their bond.
"I am very proud of Cindy," Halvorsen said. "She's incredible, and I'm glad she's my partner in life. I couldn't think of anybody better to spend it with."
"This has been the best premarital counseling that you could ever get," Chiang said. "I can't think of anything better in life than to have a husband that could be so supportive and caring even when I'm at my low." (As they say, couples who win The Amazing Race together…stay together!)
Halvorsen and Chiang beat out two other pairs for the $1 million prize: the California couple, Jeremy Cline and Sandy Draghi, as well as former NFL player, Marcus Pollard and his wife, Amani. By the time they crossed the finish line in Atlanta, the final three pairs had completed challenges in 10 countries and crossed four continents.
Halvorsen and Chiang's win was especially sweet since it was somewhat unexpected. Sure, they had performed consistently well, but they weren't favored to win. But the team in the lead -- snowboarding duo Tommy Czeschin and Andy Finch -- were eliminated in last week's episode, leaving the field open.
After they crossed the finish line, the pair said that they hope to use the $1 million to launch a charitable organization that would multiply the money and "help inspire people to live a better life and contribute to the global economy."
Then host Phil Keoghan asked the soon-to-be-married couple about their parents, who were watching the show at home.
"Watching you standing here, the winners of The Amazing Race together, what are they saying?" Keoghan asked.
"They're probably passed out in disbelief," Halvorsen replied.
Chiang, on the other hand, said that her folks knew she'd win. "My parents definitely have an expectation for me to be perfect and achieve the best and be the brightest, smartest, fastest student," she replied.
Wow, talk about pressure. Lucky for Chiang, she's managed to live up to that high standard!
