The Amazing Race: CBS Series Returns February 20th with Fan Favorite Teams

CBS had previously announced that they’d renewed their popular reality competition series, The Amazing Race, for another season. The network has confirmed that it will debut on Sunday, February 20th. This edition brings back 11 memorable teams to give them another chance to race around the world to try to win $1 million.

Here’s the press release from CBS with all of the details…

CBS ANNOUNCES THE CAST FOR “THE AMAZING RACE: UNFINISHED BUSINESS” PREMIERING SUNDAY, FEB. 20

For the First Time, the Multi Emmy Award-Winning Series Will Be Broadcast in HD as 11 Former Teams Return for Another Shot at $1 Million

Eleven former Teams who fell short of winning the $1 million prize during their first Race around the globe will return for another shot on THE AMAZING RACE: UNFINISHED BUSINESS, premiering Sunday, Feb. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT). Phil Keoghan is the host.

This season, the multi Emmy Award-winning series will be broadcast in HD for the first time as the Racers travel 40,000 miles through five continents and 23 cities. Teams begin their journey around the globe from the second-windiest place on the planet, and travel to such picturesque locations as Sydney, Australia, where they find themselves swimming with sharks; Liechtenstein, where they must measure the length of the entire country while riding a motorized bicycle; and Tokyo, Japan, where they must endure the freezing waters from Mount Fuji as part of a spiritual ritual.

THE AMAZING RACE: UNFINISHED BUSINESS features fan favorites from previous seasons, including the cowboys, former NFL cheerleaders, the Harlem Globetrotters and the Goths.

Following are the 11 teams, listed in no particular order:

Gary Ervin
Age: 53
Occupation: Owner of Ervin Cable Construction

Mallory Ervin
Age: 25
Hometown: Morganfield, Ky.
Occupation: Entertainer

Relationship: Father/Daughter
Previous Season/Result: Season 17/6th Place
Why they’re returning for “Unfinished Business”: Gary and Mallory were unable to avoid elimination after getting lost in Oman for over nine hours.

LaKisha Hoffman
Age: 30
Hometown: Chicago, Ill., currently residing in Bronx, N.Y.
Occupation: Basketball Coach

Jennifer Hoffman
Age: 26
Hometown: Chicago, Ill., currently residing in Louisville, Ky.
Occupation: Assistant Volleyball Coach at the University of Louisville

Relationship: Sisters
Previous Season/Result: Season 14/4th Place
Why they’re returning for “Unfinished Business”: LaKisha and Jennifer missed out on a spot in the final three by minutes after stopping to use the restroom in China.

Jet McCoy
Age: 31
Hometown: Ada, Okla.
Occupation: Cowboy

Cord McCoy
Age: 30
Hometown: Ada, Okla.
Occupation: Cowboy

Relationship: Brothers
Previous Season/Result: Season 16/2nd Place
Why they’re returning for “Unfinished Business”: Jet and Cord fell behind during the final leg and couldn’t recover, which ultimately led to a 2nd place finish to winners Dan and Jordan.

Amanda Blackledge
Age: 25
Hometown: Redwood City, Calif., currently residing in Pismo Beach, Calif.
Occupation: Laurus College Admissions

Kris Klicka
Age: 26
Hometown: San Diego, Calif., currently residing in Pismo Beach, Calif.
Occupation: Insurance Agent

Relationship: Fiancee/Fiance
Previous Season/Result: Season 14/8th Place
Why they’re returning for “Unfinished Business”: Amanda and Kris were unexpectedly u-turned in Siberia by Margie and Luke and were eliminated from the Race.

Jaime Edmondson
Age: 31
Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Occupation: Playboy Playmate

Cara Rosenthal
Age: 28
Hometown: Boca Raton, Fla.
Occupation: Government Relations Consultant/Law Student

Relationship: Former NFL Cheerleaders/Teammates
Previous Season/Result: Season 14/2nd Place
Why they’re returning for “Unfinished Business”: During the final leg, Jaime and Cara fell victim to a bad taxi driver in Hawaii and lost to Tammy and Victor.

Herb Lang
Age: 34
Hometown: Brinkley, Ark.
Occupation: Harlem Globetrotters Basketball Player

Nate Lofton
Age: 29
Hometown: New Orleans, La.
Occupation: Harlem Globetrotters Basketball Player

Relationship: Harlem Globetrotters Teammates
Previous Season/Result: Season 15/4th Place
Why they’re returning for “Unfinished Business”: The Globetrotters incurred a four hour penalty in Prague after failing to complete a Roadblock, which cost them a spot in the final three.

Ron Hsu
Age: 61
Hometown: Tacoma, Wash.
Occupation: Vice President

Christina Hsu
Age: 29
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Occupation: Consultant

Relationship: Father/Daughter
Previous Season/Result: Season 12/2nd Place
Why they’re returning for “Unfinished Business”: After struggling during their final leg in Alaska, Ron and Christina finished in 2nd place to TK and Rachel.

Kent Kaliber
Age: 35
Hometown: Louisville, Ky. currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif.
Occupation: Print and Runway Model

Vyxsin Fiala
Age: 32
Hometown: Louisville, Ky. currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif.
Occupation: Print and Runway Model

Relationship: Dating/Friends
Previous Season/Result: Season 12/5th Place
Why they’re returning for “Unfinished Business”: Kent and Vyxsin self-destructed in Italy and were unable to fight back to stay in the game.

Zev Glassenberg
Age: 28
Hometown: Sherman Oaks, Calif.
Occupation: Actor

Justin Kanew
Age: 31
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
Occupation: Film Producer

Relationship: Best friends
Previous Season/Result: Season 15/9th Place
Why they’re returning for “Unfinished Business”: Zev and Justin finished in 1st place during their Cambodia leg, but quickly discovered that they had lost their passport and would not be able to continue in the Race.

Margie Adams
Age: 53
Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colo.
Occupation: RN, BSN, Clinical Research Associate

Luke Adams
Age: 25
Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colo.
Occupation: Motivational Speaker

Relationship: Mother/Son
Previous Season/Result: Season 14/3rd Place
Why they’re returning for “Unfinished Business”: Margie and Luke entered the final challenge with a substantial lead, but quickly fell behind and finished in 3rd place.

Mel White
Age: 70
Hometown: Lynchburg, Va.
Occupation: Writer and activist

Mike White
Age: 40
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
Occupation: Writer

Relationship: Father/Son
Previous Season/Result: Season 14/6th Place
Why they’re returning for “Unfinished Business”: Mike and Mel found themselves lost in Thailand courtesy of a bad taxi driver and were eliminated from the Race.

THE AMAZING RACE sends 11 teams on a trek around the world. Each Team is comprised of two people who have a pre-existing relationship with one another. At every destination, each Team competes in a series of challenges — some mental and some physical — and when the tasks have been completed, they learn their next destination. Teams who are farthest behind will gradually be eliminated as the contest progresses, with the first team to arrive at the final destination winning $1 million.

Jerry Bruckheimer, Bertram van Munster, Jonathan Littman and Elise Doganieri are the executive producers for Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Earthview Inc. in association with ABC Studios and Amazing Race Productions. THE AMAZING RACE was created by Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri.

For more information on THE AMAZING RACE and the 11 returning Teams, log on to www.cbs.com.

What do you think? Do you agree with the selection of teams? Who do you hope wins?