01x01 - Squamish, B.C.

[bunniefuu]

[bird calling]
[intense music]

Craig vo:
What happens when
we turn our country

Into one giant
obstacle course?

[screaming]
[intense music]

Craig vo:
For the next eight weeks,

Twenty-four
complete strangers,

Each with a story to tell.

Dilpreet:
Being a punjabi woman,

It was not easy
being in sports.

Franz:
I'm 52 years of age and
I thrive under pressure.

Craig vo:
And something to prove.

Em:
I've always been
seen as an underdog.

Kimber:
Any sort of challenge,

I'm in for.

I've been ready!

Nikki vo:
They'll be coached by
legendary sports heroes

To become six
determined teams.

Man:
Don't leave anyone behind!

Showtime!

Give it your all
until the very end.

Nikki:
As they're put to
the ultimate test.

Clara:
It's a journey we're on.

Let's go!

Nikki vo:
Against the most
incredible physical

And mental challenges.

Go, go, go, go!

I don't want to
see you like this.

[intense dramatic music]

Craig vo:
From the mountains of the west,

The yukon,

Quebec city,

And the maritimes,

We turn our most
iconic locations

Into unique and
unexpected obstacles.

Go, go, go, go!

Woman:
Keep going! Keep going!

[intense dramatic music]

Nikki vo:
In the end,

Only one team will emerge
united and victorious.

Yes!
-Yes, baby!

Nikki vo:
And it all starts right now.

Let's go!

[intense dramatic music]

[energetic music]

Nikki vo:
Canada's west coast
is world renowned

For its rugged landscape

And breathtaking
jagged mountain peaks.

It's the perfect place
to start round one

Of canada's ultimate challenge.

[athletes cheering]
[intense dramatic music]

Welcome everyone
to whistler, bc!

I'm nikki reyes.

And I'm craig mcmorris.

Individually, you're
twenty-four strangers,

But together you
make up six teams.

You'll want to bond
with your team

Because we will push
you to your limits

On a unique cross-canada
obstacle course.

Starting here on
the west coast

And winding up
in the east

With stops at twenty-three
challenges along the way,

All built from
canadian landmarks.

But guess what?

There is good news,

You will have help

And that help will come
in the form of coaches.

So nikki, I think it's
time to meet our coaches.

Let's do it.

[athletes cheering]

Sportscaster:
Donovan bailey is
putting on a surge!

Here comes bailey,
he's got it!

A world record for donovan
bailey and a gold medal!

My responsibility
is to get my team

As motivated as possible
and ready for battle.

Sportscaster:
It is clara hughes
of canada gold!

Winning is so fun,

I won the olympics.

But I want my team
to show canada

What it's like to support,

To love, to nurture,
no matter the result.

Sportscaster:
Final turn.

Junio puts out the skate.

Gilmore:
Throughout this competition

I want my players to find
that belief within themselves

That they can
accomplish anything.

Sportscaster:
Oh, jen kish!

Kish going for the goal and
they're trying to swipe her off

And she does it!

Jen:
Are you ready to bring it?

It's a hundred percent a
hundred percent of the time.

Sportscaster:
That was waneek horn-miller
crashing the net.

Waneek:
As a mohawk woman,

My team's gonna approach this
competition like warriors.

[crowd cheering]

Sportscaster:
It's willson, touchdown!

I'm a big believer that winning
is a by-product of culture

And moderation's for cowards,

So my coaching philosophy
is let it absolutely rip

And we'll pick up the
pieces afterwards.

Craig:
Let's hear it
for the coaches.

[cheering]

Let's go!
Let's get fired up!

[cheering]

Donovan:
Hello everyone.

Franz:
He's been my
childhood idol.

It's like a
dream come true.

[cheering]

Meaux:
He came in with
all this energy

And it, like,
blew us away.

[cheering]

Mitchell:
The icon, the legend:

Clara hughes
is our coach!

We're gonna
have a journey.

Yeah.

[tense dramatic music]

Coaches, listen up.

You have to lean
into that expertise.

You have to transform
these individual strangers

Into an unbreakable team.

Players, absorb all
that information,

Experience and knowledge
of your coaches.

Don't hold anything back

When you're competing
in those challenges.

Craig:
Here's how the
obstacle course works:

There are eight rounds
in the competition,

Each at a new
canadian location

With a set of challenges
unique to that destination.

You compete to earn
points that carry forward.

At the end of round four

We will begin eliminating
teams with the lowest scores.

Nikki:
And in the end

Only one team
will be champions

Of canada's ultimate challenge.

And they'll win the
ultimate prize;

A trip to cheer
on team canada

At the olympic games
paris 2024.

What?! No!
[athletes cheering]

Olympics in
paris, France!

Woo!

Let's go!

Aw man, that is sick.

[cheering]

Craig:
Here on the
traditional territory

Of lil'wat first nation

Is the legendary
whistler olympic park,

Home of the 2010
winter olympic games.

Athletes from all
over the world

Travel to train and compete

On this 140-metre
vertical slope.

I mean, this thing has
37-degrees incline.

It is steep.

Nikki:
But here's the twist.

We've taken a slope that
people normally ski down

And created an obstacle
course that you must race up!

This is canada's ultimate
'ski jump relay race!'

Craig:
The first challenge
of the competition

Is a gruelling
four-part relay race

That starts in the ski
jump's landing zone.

Each player has a section
of a ski pole baton.

Player one goes
over the rope wall

And across the
single balance beam.

Then, player two climbs
over the ski wall

And double balance beams.

The third player
takes to the mountain

And runs up the first half

Of the punishing
37 degree slope.

The final player summits,

Assembles the ski pole

And hits the big red
button to stop the clock.

The fastest team wins
the most points.

Coaches, it's strategy time!

You have five minutes to
get to know all your players

And decide which
player will tackle

Which part of the challenge.

Your time starts now.

All right, let's take a
knee to save our legs.

All right, okay team,

So this is obviously
a relay race.

It's a team event

So each one of you is
going to do a component.

Gilmore:
With this challenge

I've broken it down to a
couple of different things.

We need speed,

Some balance and agility,

And endurance,
power endurance.

I think it's important
to have conversations

And get to know
each other a
bit better.

I have to learn, you know,
who's good at what.

I'm crossed between
starting the hill

And doing the
second challenge.

Meaux:
I'm best in any of the
two spots on the hill.

I feel like you would
be good at third,

Getting up there
'cause I feel like-

Oh you think so, eh?
'cause this is me.

I've always been adventurous,
somewhat athletic.

And in the last seven
or eight years,

I got really into
obstacle course racing.

It's got obstacles within,
your running usually in water,

Up hills, monkey bars,

All kinds of
intense mental grit.

Okay. First, second,
third, fourth.

Kish:
Okay guys, um,
there's upper body,

Um, there's balance.

Going into the challenge

With this being
the first day,

I'm a little bit nervous.

I'm working with individuals
that I've never met before.

Who's afraid of heights?

You're afraid of heights?
-Yeah.

Kish:
They have all
different skill sets

And all different strengths.

And I look at dustin and
he looks like a runner.

You're the first one,
you're gonna sprint, okay?

Yeah, for sure.

Kish:
Rachel is a kickboxer.

She brings strength, fitness.

You're gonna do
that third portion.

You need to pace
yourself, okay?

If you go full out

That lactic acid is gonna
build up really, really strong,

And then you're gonna
burn out, okay?

Think of like a really
long kickboxing match.

Rachel:
Yeah, yeah.

Um, the rope...

Hey, why are
you listening?

What should I do?

Should we all leave?

Kish:
He's just like listening, um...

Donovan:
So I'm really trying to
decide on up the hill.

I can get up
that hill.

Donovan:
You can get
up that hill?

Franz:
Whatever you want me to do,
I'll grind it out.

Let me know.
-I love it, I love it.

So, chris?

I'm-I'm strength.

Donovan:
Upper body?

Upper body strength.
-Okay.

But obviously speed
would be my weakness.

Donovan:
Yes.

[upbeat music]

Chris:
I've played for team canada
for our national sledge team.

If I can go out
here as an above
knee amputee

And compete with essentially
all able-bodied athletes,

I think that's a testament

To how far people can
actually push themselves.

Mental toughness
and strength,

I got that dialled in.

Luke:
Okay, so this is kind
of what I'm thinking

And I'll tell you
why as I explain it.

I figure firefighter,

You've probably done the
climbing of the wall.

If there's one person who
can rope over this, it's you.

Okay.

Luke:
You can start us
out with a bang.

I'll be honest with you, kenny,

It's longer in
the second half.

You're light and
you're a track guy,

So I figured, hey,

If there's a job
for you here,

This would probably be it.

Em, you're gonna be
going up the hill,

So we are gonna definitely
need you to get a lead.

Some people maybe think
the final leg of a relay

Is the one that's
most important

But I believe
it's the third leg

To get that lead that
you give to the final.

Be fearless.

Fearless.
-Fearless.

Clara:
This is what I think.

I think zalie you
should start it.

Um, on the rope?

Clara:
You go up and over,

Slide down

And then there's
a balance beam.

Pass it off to mitchell.

What do you think?

I want us to decide
who wants to do what

And we're gonna make
these decisions together.

How do you feel starting?

Be honest too.

Yeah, I don't feel confident
about climbing up and over.

Clara: Okay.
-Zalie: Yeah.

I'm feeling nervous
just because

I don't know if I
can get up the wall.

It's the first
challenge for us

And I feel so
much pressure.

The second one?

Zalie:
I could do the second one.

Mitchell, you wanna
start us off then?

I can do that.
- Right on.

Mitchell:
Starting this relay off

Is a lot
of pressure.

It's the one that
sets the tone.

I'm nervous but I am so
ready to go in headfirst.

[upbeat music]

I'm a spin instructor
and I'm a cheerleader.

Cheerleading is a
physical sport.

You really need to have
strength and endurance

And I'm excited to be able to
push myself in this journey.

No matter what happens,
we are in this together.

You leave everything on
that obstacle course.

Yep.

Let's go!
[athletes cheering]

Team teal!

Let's go! Let's go!

[buzzer ringing]
nikki:
Time's up!

Teams, time to take your
place on the course.

[cheering]

Nikki vo:
Here's how the points work.

The team that finishes
challenges fastest

Gets six points,

Second place, five.

All the way down
to one for last.

And zero if a team
does not finish.

Luke:
Does it not put it in
perspective right now

How big this hill is?

Man:
Yes.

Nikki:
Every second and
every point counts.

Oh man,
my heart's racing.

Like I just wanna win.
-Yeah, me too.

Craig:
Coaches are you ready?!

Let's go, let's go!
-Yeah, baby!

Let's get it done!

Players are you ready?

Yeah!
[athletes cheering]

Let's go!

It's game time!

[air horn blowing]

[athletes cheering]

Come on.
-Come on, guys.

Craig:
Dustin from team kish
is first over the wall.

Obi from team gil
is second.

And cuddly from team waneek
rolls over the wall.

Oh, that's gotta
start again.

You gotta start again.

This is what I like to
call the speed bump.

It's very easy
to go too fast.

Luke:
Obi, slow it down!
Slow it down!

Gilmore:
Lots of time,
lots of time!

There you go,
there you go!

[cheering]

Luke:
There you go.

Nice and easy,
nice and easy!

He's first,
dustin is first.

He's got to hand
off the flag.

Team kish is in the
lead and feeling it.

Yes, kimberly, yes!

Craig:
When you're rushing,

Balance is so
tough to maintain.

Come on!
Yeah, atta boy, obi.

Craig:
And mitchell is stuck
on the first obstacle.

Come on mitchell,
come on.

Shake your arms out,
mitchell.

Donovan:
Yes, dilpreet!

Kish:
Let's go, kimberly!

Craig:
Team donovan in second.

Let's go, baby!

Craig:
Moves on to the ski wall.

Waneek:
Jump, jump!

Yes!
-Yes!

Craig:
A tuck and roll hand up
from chris "cuddly" to kate,

Putting team waneek in a close
third behind team donovan.

Here we go!
Here we go!

Go, go, go!

Craig:
With three teams
on the ski wall,

Team kish just ahead in first
place on the double beams.

Come on, kimberly!

You got this, mitchell.

Take a deep breath.

Take your time.

Got all the time
in the world.

Mitchell:
As I'm going up

I realize everyone's already
made it through the wall

And I'm the last one here.

I'm feeling the pressure.

I'm feeling the stress
starting to weigh in,

And I'm still struggling

To just even get
halfway up this wall.

Kish:
Let's go team teal!

Yeah, buddy!

Yes, kimberly!

Yes!
-Go!

Kish:
Let's go rachel!

Woo!

Craig:
Team kish is the only
team on the mountain.

They're alone in
first position!

Kish:
Pace yourself rachel!

Craig:
But here is the wild
part about this course,

Once you hit that
37 degree incline,

Your legs enter the pain cave

And it is so difficult
to keep going

At the rate you were going.

Kish:
You got a good lead!

Don't burn out!

Donovan:
Let's go, chris!

Craig:
Three teams are battling
for second place

On the double beams.

Let's go, kate!

Come on, juls!

You got this!
Deep breath.

Craig:
Teams waneek and
gilmore are off,

Tied in second position about
to ascend the mountain.

[intense music]

Go em! Go!

Craig:
Coach waneek chose well.

Em, with impressive speed,
rockets into second.

Em:
All that is in my
head is just push.

I could see rachel
in my peripheral.

Kish:
Come on rachel!

Em:
There's no stopping me now.

But here!

Em from team waneek has
taken over first place.

Rachel:
My legs are burning and
I'm slipping like crazy.

This is so difficult.

One step at a time, vinny!
Come on!

Ooh, I like that.

Team gilmore blasts
into third place.

That's vinny charging
hard up the mountain.

He climbs into
second place.

Kish:
Come on rachel!

Gilmore:
Vinny, get going!

Run!

Let's go! Let's go!

Craig:
Teams waneek and gilmore
now tied for first!

But coach clara
must be regretting

Leading with mitchell.

Clara:
Come on mitchell,
you're strong.

Watching mitchell struggling,

I just want to run up and help
him get over that obstacle.

It's okay, it's okay.

Mitchell:
My arms are burning,

My feet are slipping.

It's defeating to know that
I'm letting everyone down.

Waneek:
Come on victoria!

Go victoria!

Come on, meaux,
go get her!

Waneek:
Go, victoria!

Nikki:
Victoria from team waneek

And meaux from
team gilmore

Are neck and neck.

Meaux is a former
basketball star,

Pushing hard to
catch victoria.

Gilmore:
Go get her, meaux!

Get, go!
-Go on meaux, go get her!

Go victoria,
go, go, go, go!

Meaux:
Victoria is just ahead

And all I'm thinking is one
foot in front of the other.

If I keep doing that,
I can catch her.

Let's go meaux, get her!

Let's go victoria!
-Come on meaux!

Come on!

Let's go victoria,
go, go, go, go!

Let's go!

Catch her! Catch her!

[intense music]

Let's go, meaux! Get her!

[athletes cheering]

Nikki:
Welcome back to
canada's ultimate challenge.

Former basketball player
meaux from team gilmore

Is pushing to catch
victoria from team waneek

In the
competition's first
ever team challenge.

[intense music]

Let's go!

Who's on it?
-Who's on it?

Woo!

Yes! Woo!

Yeah!

Woo!

Holy cow, my team did awesome!

Victoria:
I can't believe that
we just won that.

It was
really intense.

If we can keep this momentum
and continue winning,

It's gonna set us up for
a great win at the end.

Yes stiva!

Yeah, buddy!

[intense music]

Yeah!

Go lori!
Come on!

Hit that button! Yeah!

Craig:
Five teams have already finished
our first team challenge,

But mitchell from team clara
is still on the first obstacle.

Zalie:
It's okay, mitch.

Mitchell, you're not
letting anyone down, okay?

This is the start.

This is a journey we're on.

And it's many, many,
many, many steps

That are taken together, okay?

And we regroup after this,
we figure it out.

We start again fresh
every single day.

Are you okay being done?

And it's not quitting, okay?

Okay.

Clara:
The most important thing for
mitchell to know in this moment

Is that he is enough.

We are here together.

Okay, okay?

Let's go see zalie.

I want my team to support each
other no matter the result.

You did a great job, okay?

Don't worry. It's okay.
Don't worry.

I didn't wanna-

Don't worry. It's okay.

It's only the
first challenge.

There's so many other
challenges to come.

It's not the only one.

Don't worry, I don't want
to see you like this.

I don't want to
see you like this.

I didn't come here just to-
- it's okay, it's okay.

Zalie:
Seeing mitchell struggle

I just feel
sad because

Clara chose me to be first

And I couldn't do it.

Your best is always
good enough, okay?

It's okay.

Just breathe in
and breathe out.

Craig:
That's zero points
for team clara.

But with an amazing
show of speed,

Em and team waneek are
atop the leaderboard

With six
big points.

Team gilmore is right
behind with five.

We'll see if they
can keep it up.

Nikki:
For the next stop on our
cross-country obstacle course,

We head south to squamish, bc,

The outdoor recreation
capital of canada.

Incredible.

This is spectacular.

Nikki:
The teams are heading up

The world famous
sea to sky gondola,

Which overlooks the
stawamus chief,

A spiritually
significant landmark

For squamish first nation.

The 700-metre cliff face

Is one of the largest granite
monoliths in the world.

Known for world-class climbing,
spectacular trails,

And all kinds of
outdoor adventures,

The coaches and players don't
know what they're in for.

Em:
How are you feeling
over there?

Waneek:
After the first challenge

I do know a
little bit more
about the team.

I have a clearer vision
of who I would choose

For endurance or strength.

Obviously em did
really well.

He is a very good athlete.

It's a pleasure and an
honour to be their coach.

Wow, this is amazing.
-This is something else.

Any guesses on what
we're doing up here?

Ah, we're base-jumping.

Yeah, base-jumping?
-Yeah.

We came second
by a second,

So it was a very
close race.

Meaux is the ultimate athlete.

The amount of fight
she showed at the top

Was really impactful to me.

That was a big confidence
boost within our group

And I think we're gonna be
one of the teams to watch.

Luke:
The hardest part for
me was seeing how,

Like, excited everybody was

And I, like, wanted to
physically like be able to help.

It's, like,
tough being on
the sideline

And I'm so used to,
you know,

Being right in the,
the thick of it.

Am I thrilled
with the results?

No. But at the same time,

I saw like a lot of
great things from my team.

They play well together,

They seem to really
like each other,

They support each other.

And the winning,

It'll take care of itself.

You know what I'm saying?

I got really excited when
I saw the first challenge

And I'm like this is
what we're gonna do

With that and that!

And I realized that was a
bit of a mistake on my part.

I feel responsible for putting
mitchell in the position

Of not getting
over that wall,

And I own that.

Moving forward

We will just take
day by day by day,

Hone everything as we move
through the competitions

And the challenges.

Welcome to the top!

[intense music]

Nikki:
The coaches and teams

Are about to see
their next challenge,

Which will legitimately
take their breath away.

[gasping]

Kish:
When I first saw that challenge,
oh wow.

I was like, what?!

Oh no.

It's gonna be tough.

Very, very tough.

Wow.
-Woo!

Oh my god.

Whoaa!!

[intense music]

[sweeping dramatic music]

♪

Let's go, let's go, let's go!

Showtime, go time!

Let's go!

[athletes chanting]

One, two, three, win!

[athletes cheering]

Welcome players.

Welcome coaches.

British columbia is home

To over twenty different
suspension bridges.

That's one of them,

The 100-meter long
sky pilot suspension bridge.

Nikki:
But instead of walking across
a perfectly fine bridge,

Players, you're gonna be
traversing underneath it!

[intense music]

Kenny:
As a vancouverite,

We go to squamish
all the time but

I've never, like,
imagined going
under the bridge.

In this solo challenge,

The coaches must
pick one player

To attempt this extremely
difficult course.

It requires both
physical ability

And sharp mental focus

To execute 100 metres
above the valley floor!

Welcome to canada's ultimate
high ropes challenge.

[intense music]

Craig:
Players hit the big red
button to start the clock,

Then race up a
rickety rope ladder

High above the valley floor.

Next, they must use their
full body stability,

Strength and coordination
to cross five hanging beams,

Six swinging discs,
a parallel plank,

And six monkey bars all as
they battle the unsteady sway

Of the suspension bridge.

Once through,
they bang the gong.

They have to make
it all the way back

Through the punishing course.

The fastest player
wins the most points.

Coaches, it's strategy time.

You have five minutes to select
a solo player from your team

You think will excel

In this incredibly difficult
custom high ropes course.

The clock starts now!

We're in the lead.

I wanna keep in the lead.

I'd like to grow the lead.

Looking at my four
team members,

Any one of them can
do this challenge.

But em's performance in the
first challenge was amazing.

I think if we need
to boost the lead,

I think this is your jam.

Yes.

[upbeat music]

I grew up with inspiration
that was hourglass figure

And skinny arms.

But as a trans person,

I just didn't
identify with that.

I wanted that more
masculine appearance,

That masculine physique.

So I took it upon myself
to build the body

That I've always wanted.

So I think it's super
important to show

That I'm physically capable,

Mentally capable to do
canada's ultimate challenge

And I want to represent the
q*eer and trans community.

Kenny, I want you just
stand on this chair.

It's not a trick,
just stand on it.

You feel pretty
comfortable?

Yep.

Kenny, you're the guy
for this job today.

I think with this
first solo challenge,

There's a lot of pressure.

Kenny is very
confident.

He's young,

He's light,

He's an endurance athlete.

Kenny can handle
this moment.

Can't wait to see you
out there, my guy.

[upbeat music]

I'm a race walker

And race walking in general
is all about mindset.

People describe me as
a golden retriever.

I love being around people.

I am very energetic.

My tattoo "do more"
is a constant reminder.

Keep grinding,

Keep grinding,
keep grinding.

I know I can reach the top.

[chanting] kenny!

Kenny:
I don't know if
I can show it,

But, like, I am so excited!

I mean look at him,
he's dancing on it!

[athletes cheering]

Looking at the
challenge

I think there's one person
I have in mind for it.

Juls.
-Yep.

You've done all these
obstacles before.

Yes.

So yeah, I think it's
a pretty easy decision.

All right.

I want this opportunity now

Because I wanna
live every moment.

I've lost
my parents,

I've lost
a husband.

And the tragedy
and pain I've had

Has made me just love life
and want to not miss a moment

'cause we're not
guaranteed anything.

We're not
guaranteed tomorrow.

Six points sounds
pretty good today.

Yeah.

Kimber, well you're tall,
so I mean-

I've got long legs.

I can reach further
than some of the
shorter people.

You got this.

Let's go, let's go!

This is a new challenge.

We go up from here.

Zalie:
I feel like it's my
fault mitchell struggled

Because it was supposed
to be my challenge.

So, what do you think?

Zalie:
Moving forward
it's important to me

That I take on
any challenge and
not hold back.

I feel like I got this.

You got this?
-Yeah, yeah.

Looking at the challenge,

I was like, yeah,
I've got this.

Put me in coach.

Clara: Okay.
-Put me in.

Yeah?

Zalie:
But there was definitely
a dialogue in my head

That was going on of like,

"don't let the team down,

"you got this, zalie,

"don't worry, but,
like, you can do it,

"but, like, can you do it?"

I love it, you own it.

You're like, I got this.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Clara:
Zalie's so fired up.

For me in this moment,

It just tells
me there's no
other choice.

Let's do it.
Let's do it!

Donovan:
So, team red,
nobody gets zeros.

Franz, your job is to
complete the course.

Okay, good.
-I'm doing it.

Donovan:
I picked franz

Because he's probably
the best physical
athlete here

And my responsibility
as a coach

Is to try to to figure out
what his strengths are,

So I want to challenge him.

Yeah, that's it, okay?

My biggest strengths
are passion,

My raw athleticism

And most importantly,
I'm a clutch performer.

I used to be a
professional off
floor stock trader,

And I thrive under pressure.

And now I'm a top
fitness professional.

Sports has been the driving
influence of my life.

Nikki:
Coaches, time's up.

Remember, the solo player
with the fastest time

Wins six points.

And the top scorer from the
last challenge goes first.

Team waneek, you're up.

[athletes cheering]

Waneek:
You got this! You got this.

Let's go em!

Nikki:
Coach waneek,
are you ready?

Waneek:
Born ready, baby.

Em, are you ready?

I'm ready!

Going first can
be intimidating,

But at the
same time,

You're setting
the bar.

Go em!
-Let's go, em!

[athletes cheering]

Whew, oh my.

Out like a
freaking cannon!

Go em!

Okay, here we go.
Here we go.

Here he goes, here he goes,
here he goes.

Craig:
The first part of the course

Is all about balance and
lower body stability.

Em is struggling on
the hanging beams.

You really have to keep
your feet under you.

Waneek:
One step at a time!

Okay, good job.

You've got this.

Craig:
Great transition to
the hanging discs

But fatigue will start
to become an issue.

Em:
Seeing the challenge for
the first time is one thing

But being on the course
is a complete other story.

Once you are up there,
the fatigue is real.

The lactic acid in your
entire body is burning.

Craig:
Em has made it to
the monkey bars

Where it's all upper body
strength to get across.

Em:
You are using every last
bit of energy that you have.

[intense music]
[em grunting]

Craig:
Em has fallen
off the course

And the clock is
still running.

Em:
Even though I fell,

I was not
gonna give up.

When I got pulled
back up I thought,

How can I tackle
this differently?

[tense music]
[em grunting]

Waneek:
Good!

That's really smart.

Go, go, go!

Yeah!

Nice, nice, yeah!

[gong clashing]
[athletes cheering]

Craig:
Oh wow.

It is that
halfway point.

Em still has to make
it all the way back.

This course is also
about endurance.

Victoria:
Up, up, up!

Yes. Big save!
-Nice.

Victoria:
Yes!

[intense music]

Good job, em!

Craig:
Now em just has to
scale up this rock

And hit the
red button.

Em was faster on the
way back by a minute!

Impressive.

Nikki:
At 13 minutes
and 19 seconds,

Em has set the
time to beat.

Our obstacle racer juls from
team gilmore is up next.

Juls:
I feel super confident
for this challenge

'cause I am in
the best shape of
my life right now

In my forties.

Meaux: Let's go!
-Let's go, juls!

Let's go, juls!
Come on!

Meaux:
Let's go, juls!
You got this!

Craig:
Wow, juls is really
moving through this thing.

Gilmore:
Oh, she is cruising up this.

She's flying.

Wow! This is not easy!

Gilmore:
There we go! Nice, nice!

Craig:
You can hear team gilmore-

Use the black rope!

Craig:
Coaching juls along.

Gilmore:
There you go!

Meaux:
There we go.

Craig:
Her obstacle course
experience is really showing.

She's making
great time.

Woo!

Oh.

Meaux:
Swing that foot around.

There we go.

Good job, juls!

Obi:
Nice!

Let's go, juls!
You got this!

Gilmore:
Keep focused!
You got this!

Craig:
She moved through
that first section

A little bit quicker
than em did.

Oh!

Craig:
Ooh.

Oh my gosh!

Craig:
You can see her start to
fatigue extremely quickly.

Juls, relax!

Take a breath!

Craig:
Can juls hold on here?

[intense music]
[juls grunting]

Ah!

Nikki:
Welcome back to
canada's ultimate challenge.

Obstacle course racer juls

Is starting to fatigue
on our high ropes course.

Oh my gosh!

Juls, relax!

Take a breath!

[intense music]

Ah, damn it!

Juls:
When I fell,

That got me off
my mental game.

I did not expect
that to happen.

Get your legs up there!
-Hook your legs on there!

Craig:
Oh see, this is what
em did in run one.

Juls:
I am so mentally,
physically spent.

I had no idea how humble
this would make me.

[gong bellowing]

There we go!
[athletes cheering]

Slow it down juls!

Wow!

But coach g,

He's got me in the zone.

Gilmore:
Let's go, juls!

Dig, let's go!

Juls:
I hear nothing else but him.

Craig:
That's halfway.

Juls needs to make it back in
six minutes and 56 seconds

To beat em.

[dramatic music]

Gilmore:
Hey, there we go!

Think on your feet,
let's go!

All the way, juls!
Come on, finish up!

[tense dramatic music]

Holy smokes.

[athletes cheering]

Craig:
Team gilmore has to be
happy with that result.

Way, way harder than it looks.

Nikki:
With an incredible time of
12 minutes and 33 seconds,

Juls moves into
first place.

Zalie:
Even though this is
gonna be so challenging,

I know I can do it.

My legs are powerful,
my upper body is strong,

I'm not afraid of heights,

So that's not even a problem.

But that voice in my head
can try to play tricks on me

Like where I just
doubt myself

And just forget like
that I am good enough.

There's a part of me, like,
that's hungry to prove

That, like, I am athletic.

I can do so many
different things.

I don't want to
disappoint clara.

Mitchell:
You got this.
You got it, zalie!

Zalie:
And I don't want to
disappoint my team.

[intense music]

Go, zalie!

Craig:
Zalie is going
slow and steady.

Zalie:
Oh, something's weird.

I'm tangled.

It's okay.
Calm down.

You got this, z!

Zalie:
Doing this challenge,

There was just so
much pressure.

Ugghhh!

And that voice definitely
comes up for me

And can try to
play those tricks.

Clara:
It's okay zalie,

We're with you.

Zalie:
And when I get
down on myself,

I get really down on myself
and kind of get in a bad place.

It's not gonna work, babe.

But I have to
just shut it down

And remember who
the hell I am.

Okay, zalie.

Okay, baby.

[athletes cheering]

Mitchell:
Yeah, you got it, zalie!

Let's go!

Clara:
There you go!
There you go, z!

Look at you go,
look at you go!

Grab that gong,
give it a good smack!

Come on. Yes!

[athletes cheering]

Zalie, you got it!
-You got it!

Craig:
Zalie is on track
for third place.

Clara:
Come on zalie, come on!

Craig:
Can she help
team clara

Climb out of
the basement?

That sixth and
final position?

[athletes cheering]

Zalie:
Let's go! Let's go baby!

Craig:
What a valiant
effort by zalie.

Oh my god!

You did it! You did it!
- I didn't fall! I didn't fall!

You did not fall!

Zalie, when she finished and
smacked the red button down

She was like,
"I did not fall."

And that pride and
that knowing of
this is who I am,

That's everything that I want
for every one of my athletes.

In that moment she knew
exactly who she was.

Zalie:
Clara, she just appreciates
who we are for who we are.

And I'm so grateful to
just be in her presence

And have her as our coach.

Nikki:
Zalie's steady approach
has her in third place

With three players
left to compete.

Kimber, are you ready?!

Yes!
-It's game time!

Kish:
Go kimber!

Team kish loves you!
-Team kish loves you!

What I hope to
get out of this

Is really just
the adventure
of all of it.

I've been convinced to do
some crazy things before

And this seems crazy,
so I'm in.

Kimber, you're doing so well!

Craig:
Kimber's in first place
at the halfway mark.

Looking very strong.

Go! Turn around!

Kimber, grab high
so you can swing!

Craig:
Now as we've seen

It's a different
beast coming back.

Oh.
-Kish: There you go.

Okay.

My arms are so dead,

I could not move my hands.

I gotta get up.

Go kimber!

Oh.
[players exclaiming]

Oh no.

Craig:
That fall puts kimber,

A roller derby tattoo artist,

Off first place pace.

Nikki:
After a really
strong start...

It hurts so bad.

Nikki:
Kimber from team kish ran
outta gas and fell to fourth.

Kenny from team luke,

Our youngest
competitor is up next.

Luke:
You go kenny!

Take your time.

It's a marathon.

[intense music]
[clock ticking]

♪

[kenny grunting]

Craig:
Kenny has now fallen.

Luke:
You're good, you're good!

Craig:
Kenny, repeatedly
falling off the course.

Come on, buddy.
Come on, buddy.

Craig:
A really rough start
for team luke.

Luke:
I want the other three
members of the team

To watch how hard kenny
is pushing and pushing.

My forearms are so sore.

Luke:
'cause I know that
kenny is not gonna quit.

Kenny:
So close, so close.

Luke:
Smack the gong!

Smash it!

[gong bellowing]

You got this kenny!

Craig:
Kenny's already a minute
over the time set by juls

And he still has to go back.

Kenny:
This ropes course

Is definitely more
difficult than I
ever imagined.

I'm feeling like as if my
arms are ready to give out.

Shake it out big dog.

Kenny:
But coach luke,

He's really good at
giving us that good push.

This is a battle, kenny!

This is a battle!

Kenny:
So I'm channelling
that motivation.

Luke:
What's he about
to try right now?

He's about to try
something wild.

Yes!

Craig:
Holy smokes!

That's grit,
that's determination.

Yes!

There's just no
quitting kenny!

Kenny:
Right now,
my muscles are aching

But I will not give up.

I will give it all I got.

I want to just keep pushing
and finish the course.

Luke:
Take your time big dog!

[kenny grunting]

Kenny:
This is not a sprint,
it's a marathon

And that's what coach luke
has kind of drilled into us.

Kenny, slam this
button big dog!

Slam this
button kenny!

Let's go!

[athletes cheering]

Luke:
I'm definitely disappointed.

My man.

The result wasn't there.

Give me some!

I put him in a tough spot.

I thought his lighter
weight would help,

But maybe I was wrong.

What an effort.

Moving forward
we're gonna come out

Ripping in the
next challenge.

Nikki:
Kenny had a tough
time on the course

And falls to last place.

Juls from team gilmore
is hanging on to first,

But there's one
solo player left.

Franz:
I'm here for one reason
and the reason is to win.

Let's go!

[intense music]

Ome back to
canada's ultimate challenge.

Juls from team gilmore is
currently in first place

On the high ropes course

With only the oldest
player in the competition

Left to compete.

Donovan: Franz.
-Yeah?

Donovan:
Use your legs to
go up the ladder

'cause you're gonna
need your arms later on.

Franz! Hey, look at me, man!

Franz, he's
probably the best
athlete here,

But I think it's very
important for franz

To stop and listen.

When you get to the high
ropes you gotta stay high.

Just-just listen here,
just listen to my voice.

And I think that he's gonna
surprise a lot of people

As he evolves into
a balanced athlete.

I think at 52 he can
do some serious things.

Legs, legs, legs!

All right, yeah,
there you go.

Slow and steady, brother,
slow and steady.

Coach donovan, how do
you think he's doing?

If he listens
he'll be great.

Go high on the ropes!

Yeah, there you go!

Chris:
There you go!

[athletes cheering]

Donovan:
Breathe please.

Yeah, that's it.

All right, let's rock.

Franz:
I'm in the zone.

All my focus is
on this course

And I'm just going to
listen to coach donovan

And get it done.

Put your legs up!
-Put your legs up!

Coach!
-Monkey bars, monkey bars.

Craig:
The monkey bars,

Nobody's been able
to get across them.

Luke:
Yeah, he's got the strength,

Look at him.

Craig:
Okay, this is wild.

Donovan:
There you go!

Craig:
Franz is the only player
to use the monkey bars

As they were intended.

Yes, baby!

Yes, yes!

[gong bellowing]

Okay, come back now!

Craig:
Franz is in fourth place

At the halfway mark.

He has to be back in
under five minutes

For six big points.

Yes, yes!

Craig:
No other player has
been able to do that.

Let's see if he can.

He is flying!

Dilpreet:
My heart's beating
so fast right now!

Craig:
This is unbelievable!

If franz hurries
he could take first!

Dig deep, dig deep,
dig deep!

Yes!

Craig:
He does it!

That's first place for
franz and team donovan.

Yes!

Yes, baby!
[athletes cheering]

Franz:
I put every ounce of energy
I had and I just performed.

And what I would like to
get from donovan bailey

Would be for him
to be proud of me.

Not only as an
athlete but as
an individual.

Donovan:
Franz, come here!

Dude, great job!

Nikki:
Our youngest player,
kenny,

Struggles and falls
into last place

While the oldest,
franz,

Delivers with a huge
first place finish,

Earning team donovan
six big points.

Franz:
I knew that I was
gonna be the one

That was gonna
bring us to
victory.

Everything came
together exactly
how I planned it.

Nikki:
Two obstacles down and
the end of round one.

Time to take a look at
the overall standings

On the ozempic
leaderboard.

Teams waneek
and gilmore

Both with dominant
overall performances,

They're tied in first
with 10 points.

Waneek:
Obviously we
did really well

Showing that we
are contenders.

And I want to keep
the energy high

And keep the
momentum forward.

Nikki:
Franz pulled
team donovan into third.

And team clara's
on the board,

But still in
last place.

Clara:
We don't focus on
points on team blue.

We'll take
the points,

We like
the points,

But it's not what
we're focused on.

We're finding excellence
within ourselves.

Craig:
Remember, last place is
somewhere you can visit

But you don't wanna live.

Why?

Because the scores roll
over into the next round.

At the end of round four,

The lowest scoring teams
will face elimination.

Luke:
I think I made some
mistakes as a coach.

I preach a lot of,
you know, fun, energy,

Don't worry
about results.

But it's very
hard to not worry
about results

When we're at the bottom
of the standings.

Coaches, players,
we're just getting started.

We've got places to go.

And obstacles to conquer on
canada's ultimate challenge.

[cheering]
[dramatic music]

It's game time!

[air horn blaring]
go, go, go, go, go, go!

Get it!
- Let's go!

Craig:
Seven intense rounds remain

In our cross-country
obstacle course.

Man:
You got this!

Victoria:
It's a lot harder
than it looks.

Nikki:
Our players will have to dig
deep to avoid elimination.

Bradley:
I gotta work harder.

I hate losing.

Dilpreet:
I can't give up.

I can't give up.

Nikki:
Can our coaches
lead unified teams?

Trust each other.
Go get this done.

Go!
-This is gonna hurt.

Nikki:
Or will tension break
everyone apart?

If you're going,
you just go.

If this fails, I'll own it.

Let's go.

Craig:
Who will rise?

Gilmore:
Let's go!

I told you it'd be hard.

Craig:
Who will fall?

No.

[groaning]

Nikki:
In the end,

Which team has what it
takes to win it all?

[intense music]