Introduction → Leg 1 → Leg 2 → Leg 3 → Leg 4A → Leg 4B → Leg 5 → Leg 6 → Leg 7 → Leg 8 → Leg 9 → Leg 10 → Leg 11 → Leg 12
Leg 15.07 – “I’m eatin’ it!”
During the Pit Stop, teams will be magically (read: by train) transported back to Moscow where they will depart for this next Leg in the evening from Red Square. And this is where they will learn their next destination is Belgrade, Serbia!
Teams will be on one of two direct flights from Moscow to Belgrade: Aeroflot arriving at 11:45am and Air Serbia arriving at 12:50pm.
Once in Belgrade, teams need to “Find the tallest tower in the Balkans.” Teams must figure out that is the Avala Tower.
Here, teams will assemble a large puzzle replica of the tower which includes making sure they have correctly placed the legs of the tower in order for it stand on its own. Once completed, they will be given the next clue.
Teams must head to the Nikola Tesla Museum.
Here, they must first check in at the Yield Board, if activated, before opening the next clue which reveals a Road Block: Who wants to light it up?
Nikola Tesla was an electrical engineer and physicist who made significant contributions to the design of the modern alternating current electrical supply system. For this Road Block, teams will assemble a wireless electricity transmission circuit based on Tesla’s original coil using modern items. Once they are able to light up the small bulb, they will receive their next clue.
After the Road Block, teams will head to the Novak Tennis Centre.
Tennis champion Novak Djokovic was born and raised here in Belgrade. And here at the Novak Tennis Centre, a new generation of young tennis players are hoping to follow in his footsteps. For this task, teams must win a set against talented youngsters in a doubles match in order to receive their next clue.
BUT! Teams will learn this is an Intersection! And not only do they have to join up with another team, they must switch partners and play separate matches!
This is also the Trigger Point for this Leg. If any team is able to win a set on their first match, the U-Turn or Yield will be activated on the next Leg. If no team is able to win a set after their first two matches, an All U-Turn will be activated.
Teams must now make their way to Europan bakery. Teams will eat delicious local burek until teams find one filled with apple. Teams must eat each burek once they’ve taken a bite.
The next clue directs teams to the banks of the Danube River on Ada Ciganlija. And the Detour: In the Water or On the Water.
In In the Water, teams will head to Aqua Ski and both team members must successfully water ski over an obstacle course.
In On the Water, teams will party it up on a splavovi, a floating river club, and DJ a noontime club party.
After the Detour, teams must make their way to Kalemegdan Park for their next clue.
And that clue tells teams to make their way on foot to Jaksic’s Tower, the Pit Stop for this Leg of the Race.
The first team to check in here will win P200,000 courtesy of Shell V-Power Nitro+.
The last team to check in here WILL be eliminated.
“Director’s” Commentary
It’s a wonder why TARUS hasn’t visited Serbia yet. I’m sure Belgrade alone would easily fill out one or two Legs. Of course, for TARPHDME, the tasks are limited, but I think this Leg is okay. It might be better suited for an earlier Leg with more teams since it is a little bit on the simpler side. (Indeed, in the original season 15 route, this was originally Leg 4 after Sri Lanka.)
Anyway, let start at the beginning. Logistics and convenience are the reason we get teams back to Moscow during the Pit Stop. I would think having teams travel to Moscow at the start of the Leg itself would be too much of an unnecessary hassle. It is possible to have another task in Moscow before leaving, but this Leg will be focused solely on Serbia.
The first task is inspired a little bit by TAR China 4’s similar building puzzle task form their finale. This task was not present in the original Leg design, but since I needed an extra task with less teams, I went with this one. The trick is trying to figure out the tripod in order for the puzzle to stand on its own.
Tesla is of course a well-known man and name. So of course we have a task related to him here. I don’t know if this little school experiment would make an exciting task, but here it is anyway. Maybe it is possible to make the task a little more extreme, like a much larger electrical coil. Lol
Of course, we have to mention tennis great Novak Djokovic. This tennis task of teams vs. little kids is definitely recycled from TAR. But it should be fun to watch. And to help fill this Leg out even more, I decided to throw in an Intersection. But this Intersection is more like the TARPHDME6 style (which itself is modeled after TAR16’s Intersection Road Block) where teams have to partner up with a person from another team. Swapping partners for just one task is interesting. And definitely in a task like this where teamwork is an obvious necessity to win.
The burek-eating was a simple food task (which we are lacking this season). So it’s a straightforward task.
The Detour I wanted to center on the Danube River I guess. Both are okay, but again, maybe more suited for an earlier Leg with more teams.
Finally, a little run to the Mat should be great at this location.
With this being the first ever visit to Serbia for any Amazing Race, it lacks more culture. So any real Leg would need to have a little bit more culturally relevant tasks. But overall a pretty solid Leg.