The Amazing Race has been airing continuously since 2001. As of writing, the show has produced 32 seasons and over 370 episodes. In that time, fans have been witness to many memorable teams - some bad, some great.
Of course, this being a reality program, sometimes the best teams don't win. Yes, the best teams typically come out ahead (they wouldn't have been in a position to win otherwise). But sometimes a team gets extraordinarily lucky, or maybe the clear favorites suffered upon a string of bad luck in the final leg of the race, allowing the underdogs to pull ahead and prove victorious.
Frank & Margarita
The Amazing Race 1 contained a fantastic team in the separated couple, Frank and Margarita Mesa. They were strong competitors from the very beginning, finishing the first leg in third place. Frank and Margarita would go on to win three legs and finish in second on a further five, meaning they had placed in the top two on eight of the season's 13 legs.
In fact, Frank and Margarita had the highest average of the season, with 2.38, beating winners Rob & Brennan, who had an average of 2.46.
Tara & Wil
The Amazing Race 2 contained another strong team in Tara and Wil, and they were the favorites going into the finale. Despite their constant bickering and deteriorating relationship, Tara and Wil performed increasingly well throughout the season.
After finishing first on the first leg of the race, Tara and Will suffered some poor placements. However, they finished strong, earning two consecutive first-place finishes in the 11th and 12th legs. They were also very close to winning, but Tara grew tired on the run to the finish line, and they were ed by winners, Chris & Alex.
Eric & Jeremy
Eric Sanchez and Jeremy Ryan are two of the strongest racers to ever compete on The Amazing Race, finishing second on The Amazing Race 9. Despite their laid-back and flirty personalities, Eric and Jeremy proved a dominant team, and they placed first on the first leg of the race.
They would go on to win five legs and placed second on a further six, meaning they placed in the top two on all but one leg. Unfortunately, the final roadblock proved a challenge for the duo, and they were overtaken by winners, BJ & Tyler.
Rob & Amber
Survivor before transferring their talents to The Amazing Race, and they proved just as successful. They proved great racers on The Amazing Race 7, winning four legs. placing second on a further three, and earning an average of 2.42. But, like Eric and Jeremy, the final challenge proved their downfall, and they lost to Uchenna & Joyce.
They returned for The Amazing Race All Stars and proved early favorites, winning the first three legs. Unfortunately, they suffered a spectacular failure on the fourth leg, resulting in their shock elimination.
Jet & Cord
Cowboys Jet and Cord proved strong physical players throughout The Amazing Race 16, allowing them four first-place finishes. They also placed third on three legs and second on another two, resulting in a top-three performance on nine of 12 legs and an average performance of 2.58.
After a disappointing returning performance on Unfinished Business, Jet and Cord came back strong on All Stars, finishing in the top three in seven of ten legs. Unfortunately, they were eliminated in Spain on the tenth leg, finishing in fifth.
Andy & Tommy
No one - neither player nor Amazing Race aficionado - would expect the dominant performance from Andy Finch and Tommy Czeschin. A duo of professional snowboarders, Andy and Tommy, seemed like typical bros, complete with Andy's baggy clothes, headbands, and long hippie hair.
But despite finishing in 7th on the first leg, Andy and Tommy would go on to earn six first-place finishes, including three consecutive wins from legs 2 through 4. They had an average of 2.64, proving the highest of the final four teams.
Nicole & Travis
Nicole and Travis Jasper competed on The Amazing Race 23, finishing in third place. A pair of married ER doctors, Nicole and Travis began the race by finishing second on the first leg. It would prove their only second-place finish.
They would earn a further six third-place finishes and three first places, resulting in top-three performances in 10 of the race's 12 legs. They would finish with an average of 2.58, higher than both Jason & Amy and Tim & Marie.
Justin & Diana
Few Amazing Race teams have been as dominant as Justin and Diana. The engaged couple got off to a rocky start, placing ninth on the first leg of the race. However, it would prove their worst performance by far, and they never again fell below third place.
They placed first in seven of the race's 12 legs, including five consecutive first-place finishes from legs six through 10. They currently hold the American Amazing Race record for most consecutive legs won, and they hold the franchise record for the most consecutive legs won by a co-ed team.
Tyler & Korey
Best friends Tyler Oakley and Korey Kuhl were dominant throughout much of The Amazing Race 28. They placed second on the first leg of the race, and it would be their first of three second-place finishes. They would also win five legs of the race, including three consecutive wins from legs nine through 11.
They would finish The Amazing Race 28 with an average of 2.42, the highest of the final three. Tyler & Korey would return for The Amazing Race 31, placing second, earning an average of 2.75, and scoring four straight first-place finishes.
Misti & Jim
Misti and Jim were not particular fan favorites owing in large part to Jim's constant boasting. However, there is ego for ego's sake, and then there is ego for good reason, and Jim had an ego for good reason.
He was able to back up his confident personality by a string of dominant performances, including five first-place finishes, three second-place finishes, and a strong average of 2.58. Unfortunately, Misti bungled the final roadblock of the season, allowing Amy & Maya to pull ahead and win the race.