McCoys out of their element in fourth episode, fall to 4^th place
Ted Harbin

            For all the advantages Jet and Cord McCoy seemed to have had in the second and third episodes of “The Amazing Race” – both of which they won – the fourth episode that aired Sunday, April 7, was just about the opposite.

            Where the cowboys flourished with riding a wooden polo pony, dressing a llama, milking a cow and roping a dummy steer, they were a little out of their element on the fourth leg of the race. In all, they fell from first to fourth and remain steady contenders for the $1 million first-place prize.

            Starting from Patagonia in South America, the Oklahoma cowboys took the first flight available en route to Hamburg, Germany, and they were joined by the other brother tandem, the undercover detectives of Louie and Michael Naylor, who won the fourth leg. Once in Hamburg, the first road block meant that two teams had to join forces – one member from each team had to join together for a 150-foot bungee jump.

            “I just proved to the world that you could bungee jump with a hat on,” said Jet McCoy, 30, who plunged off the platform with Michael Naylor.

            But when they took off to the next stop, that’s where the McCoys fell behind. While the Naylors hopped a taxi to the next stop, the Cord and Jet rode a much slower train.

            “We definitely took the long way,” said Cord McCoy, 29. The cowboys moved to second place at that point in the race

            The fork in the road was deciding whether to take the road involving sauerkraut or the path leading to soccer. Those who chose the food had to eat a serving or two of kraut in a certain length of time, while those who tempted their athleticism had to hit five targets from penalty-kick distance. The cowboys tried to put their boots to use.

By the time they got their kicks, they had moved on down a spot or two, but they were still in good position.

“How was that for two cowboys from Oklahoma?” Jet asked their soccer guide, with both McCoys admitting to that experience being the first time they had ever been on a soccer field.

But that wasn’t the only first they were to face. A Hamburg tavern proved to be a turning point for the Oklahomans.

“I’ve never drunk a beer in all my life,” said Cord, who weekly wraps his hand to a nearly ton of bucking beast in order to make a living, but who is known for using Red Bull as the strongest drink in his cooler.

But the task was for teams to share what seemed to be a gallon of German beer before they could advance. The boot-shaped mug seemed to attract some teams, but it wasn’t the McCoys friend.

“I never, never, never, in my life, want another beer,” Jet said.

            But he and his brother will take the next challenges, just like they’ve been doing. And since no teams were eliminated in the, fans of the cowboys hope they will improve from their middle-of-the-pack finish after the fourth leg.

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