- The Amazing Race Season 39 first elimination: Brothers Zach and Nate were sent home on Leg 1.
- New twist: Every one of the 13 teams received an Express Pass — a series first.
- Location: The premiere leg took place in Vancouver, Canada, after years of fan requests.
- Timing: The eliminated pair fell just hours after the race began in Montreal.
- Takeaway: The Express Pass reshuffled leg order and gave underdog teams a comeback tool.
What Happened in The Amazing Race Season 39 First Elimination
The Amazing Race Season 39 first elimination arrived with unusual cruelty: brothers Zach and Nate raced hard across the city, tackled challenges that pushed them to their limits, and still became the first team Phil Keoghan sent home — literally hours after the starting line. Their exit capped a premiere leg shaped by two big stories: a brand-new 13 Express Pass twist and the show's long-awaited first visit to Vancouver, Canada.
Video Highlights:
- Phil Keoghan unpacks the 13-team cast and the Express Pass game-changer
- Behind-the-scenes look at why the Race finally staged a leg in Vancouver
- Zach and Nate reflect on finishing last and going home on Leg 1
- Strategy talk on when teams should burn their Express Pass
Phil's own words capture the emotional weight of a first boot: over the years the show has "lost some really good potential energy, really good teams" because someone has to go home on Leg 1 — and he hates delivering that news. For Zach and Nate, the sting was real, but they finished with perspective: "It sucks we got eliminated first, but I think we did everything the best we could... We finished strong."
The official "Unpacked" aftershow for Episode 1 is the best primary source for elimination context — it features direct interviews with Phil and the eliminated brothers.
The 13 Express Pass Twist Explained
Season 39 changed the fundamental economy of the race. Instead of a single Express Pass hidden as a prize, all 13 teams started with one — meaning every squad carried a one-time skip for any challenge they chose.
| Express Pass Strategy | How It Works | Risk Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burn it on Leg 1 | Skip an early challenge to avoid the first elimination | Low | Weaker or nervous teams |
| Hold it as insurance | Keep it deep into the race for emergencies | Medium | Confident, consistent racers |
| Mid-race timing | Use it around legs 4–7 when fatigue builds | Medium | Strategic, patient teams |
The twist created immediate second-guessing. As Phil noted, teams that perform well on the first leg historically keep performing well — but with everyone holding a skip, top teams could no longer predict what the middle of the pack would do. Several teams used their pass on the opening leg to leapfrog the field and avoid exactly the fate Zach and Nate suffered.
An unused Express Pass expires worthless once a team is eliminated. A saved pass saves no one on the mat — Leg 1 proved that a strong challenge performance alone may not be enough.
Vancouver: The Premiere Leg Destination
After years of Canadian fans asking Phil to bring the Race north, Season 39 finally delivered a leg in Vancouver. Phil described it as a city that "can be either quite wet or very, very green" — and on race day, it showed off with spectacular sunshine.
Why Vancouver
- Years of fan demand for a Canadian leg
- Canadian version of the show ran successfully
- Green, coastal, photogenic course
Race-Day Conditions
- Rare sunny weather after the start
- Crew paused to take in the views
- Urban challenges across the city
Fan Reaction
- "You got what you wanted" — Phil's message to Canadian viewers
- Landmark moment for the franchise
- Milestone for international legs
| Vancouver Leg Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Country | Canada (fan-requested destination) |
| City vibe | Rain-prone but lush and green; sunny on race day |
| Significance | First leg in Vancouver in franchise history |
| Phil's verdict | "A beautiful, beautiful country" |
The Amazing Race Canada's success over many seasons built the momentum that finally brought the flagship U.S. version to Vancouver for Season 39.
Zach and Nate: How Leg 1 Unfolded
Zach and Nate's elimination wasn't a collapse — it was a near-miss. The brothers "raced out across the city" and, in Phil's words, "did some things you probably could never have imagined." They stayed close enough that the finish felt like it could have gone either way, but close isn't enough on the mat.
The Start Line
13 teams launched the season after surviving multiple rounds of casting, each convinced they had what it takes to win.
The Race Across the City
Teams tore through Vancouver-area challenges; Zach and Nate kept pace and fought through demanding tasks.
The Express Pass Factor
Other teams deployed their passes to skip challenges and gain time — a tool Zach and Nate could not overcome in the end.
The Mat
Phil delivered the news: "You are the last team to arrive and you have been eliminated" — just hours into the season.
The Aftermath
The brothers expressed gratitude for racing together, calling themselves blessed despite the early exit.
Even first-booted teams beat out thousands of applicants just to reach the starting line — as Phil reminds every cast, "you've already won" by making the show.
Why First Eliminations Hit So Hard
The first elimination is uniquely brutal because it comes after months of anticipation. Phil highlighted that some teams applied seven or eight times before ever getting cast — only to lose the race within hours of starting.
| First Elimination Factor | Impact on Teams |
|---|---|
| Years of applications | Deep emotional investment before racing even begins |
| Hours-old race | Little time to recover from a single mistake |
| No second chances | One bad leg ends the journey immediately |
| 13 Express Passes | New variable — anyone can skip past you at any time |
Leg 1 Survival Essentials:
- Decide your Express Pass philosophy before the race starts
- Prioritize navigation accuracy over raw speed on Leg 1
- Never assume a lead is safe with 13 passes in play
- Push through challenges even when exhausted — margins are razor thin
- Read every clue carefully before moving
A strong finish on paper doesn't guarantee safety. When the field is this competitive, one skipped challenge by a rival can erase everything.
FAQ
Q: Who was the first team eliminated on The Amazing Race Season 39?
Brothers Zach and Nate were the first team eliminated. They arrived last at the Pit Stop on Leg 1 and were sent home just hours after the race began, despite a competitive effort across the entire leg.
Q: Where did The Amazing Race Season 39 premiere leg take place?
The season included a leg in Vancouver, Canada — a destination Canadian fans had requested for years. Phil Keoghan described the race-day weather as spectacular and called Canada a beautiful country.
Q: What is the 13 Express Pass twist in Season 39?
For the first time in show history, all 13 teams each received an Express Pass at the start. Teams choose when to use it — early to survive the first elimination, or later as insurance — and it dramatically reshuffled leg results.
Q: How did the first elimination affect the rest of Season 39?
Because every team held an Express Pass, strong teams could no longer predict the field, and mid-pack teams gained comeback potential. Phil called it a genuine game changer that kept leg order unpredictable throughout the race.