Stakes are sky-high as reality show contestants arrive in Vancouver

CBC

14-03-2025

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All five teams headed from Tofino's beaches to Vancouver's urban oasis for the next leg of the game. But as the friendship bracelet came off, the competition heated up and one team was eliminated. Here's what went down.
What went down on Episode 1 of Canada's Ultimate Challenge, Season 3
It was no ordinary day at the office when teams got a look at the next challenge, the "Ultimate Solo Sky Hang". One player from each team had to hang from a steel truss hanging 24 stories over the side of a Vancouver skyscraper.
Team Blue's Tulio immediately stepped up. "I skydive, I bungee jump," he said, "this is the next thrill, I'm so happy to put this in." He was joined Steve, Ene, Willow and Santina at the top.
It was a bright, beautiful day and the view was amazing as all five players hung on for their (safely tethered) lives. There was even some singing. While other players managed their discomfort and tried not to look down, Tulio belted out his favourite karaoke song, "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers. When a couple of other players joined in, it felt like a heart-swelling moment of harmony until…Santina hilariously shut them down.
When things started looking too comfortable, the challenge went next level. Instead of lying on top of the rope, players had to hang from the bottom. And then, an hour and a half later, players had to hang with one arm only.
After an excruciating 150 minutes, Santina, Willow and Ene dropped out, leaving Tulio and Team Green's Steve hanging on. Then, making a deal (more on this) that would reverberate through the rest of the episode, Tulio won the challenge for Team Blue.
With Blue now at the top of the leaderboard, they had to choose which teams would go into the first elimination challenge. There was much manoeuvring behind the scenes with each team making their case — and some pretty strong feelings that Team Green wasn't worth saving.
When the teams arrived for the first elimination challenge at BC Place, the mood was tense. Team Blue put Team Orange and Team Yellow in to battle it out, saving Team Green and honouring the deal Tulio made with Steve, high above the city. There was much drama (see below).
In the "Touchdown Elimination Showdown" teams had to hit three targets by swinging a teammate over 50 yards across the field so that they were close enough to throw a football at the targets. Ayjay and Kelly elected to strap into the sky swings and throw the footballs.
The first team to knock down all three targets moved on to the next round.
Kelly had the better aim and took the challenge to keep Team Yellow in the game. Team Orange was, well, bitter and left with a few choice parting words about Team Red. "Red is all snakes. They're going to snake you any chance they get," said Becky as she left the game.
And with that, the remaining teams move on.
Moment that changed the game
At the end of the "Ultimate Solo Sky Hang", only two players remained, Tulio and Steve. Both were exhausted after spending nearly three hours atop the structure, 24 stories up.
So they struck a deal. Steve would let go and in exchange, Tulio promised that Team Green would not be sent to the next elimination round. Tulio's winning performance put Team Blue at the top of the leaderboard, they would have to decide who would battle in the elimination challenge.
Of course, Tulio's offer was made without his team members' knowledge and there were many feelings about it. Because the bottom three teams were tied for last place, Team Blue was in the awkward position of having to choose, not one — but two teams — to battle in the first elimination round.
And nobody was happier than Team Red. During the "Ultimate Solo Sky Hang" challenge, Keenan made another alliance, this time with Team Blue's Aaron meaning that Team Red now had forged unions with three other teams.
"This is the perfect situation. We're not at the top of the leaderboard, but Team Red is safe and there's no blood on these hands," said deal-maker Keenan.
In a game, where alliances are everything, Team Blue had to burn a few bridges to honour Tulio's promise.
Best line of the episode
Aaron shows his spicy side: " I made that for you because I was nice. So shut the [bleep] up and go in there and compete. Because guess what? I won, you lost. Go show me." That's what Team Blue's Aaron fired back after a dramatic bracelet toss at BC Place in Vancouver. Watch it here.
Team Yellow's Eddie throws his friendship bracelet to the ground at BC Place
1 month ago
Duration 0:31
Eddie threw the friendship bracelet to the ground when Aaron revealed that he was putting Team Yellow into the elimination round. Members of Team Blue had grown close to Team Yellow, so they viewed it as a betrayal. And with that one dramatic gesture, the game shifted — the time for making friends was over.
"It's serious now," said Veronica, "And it low-key got a little personal." Watch the reaction behind the scenes.
Team Yellow would have to fight for a chance to stay in the game.
MVP of Episode 2: Steve from Team Green
We're going to have to give this one to Steve. With his team riding last on the leaderboard, he stepped up to the plate for the Solo Sky Hang. With his over-confident swagger, he told his teammates he'd hang below the rope sloth-style while the other competitors spent the first hour lying on top of it.
Team Green Captain Ashlyn was openly skeptical. "You're doing all of us. So make sure that while you're doing you, that you take everything we're saying into account," she warned. Steve, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor was confident he had the grip strength to hang on, "I'm ready to be the last one hanging. The pressure is on, but pressure makes diamonds."
If you were around last season, that kind of cockiness was giving Adam in the pole hang from Season 2 vibes.
But hang on, he did. 'til the bitter end. And yes, we agree, you are a cool dad, Steve.
Most caption-worthy photo
Where to watch Canada's Ultimate Challenge
Catch all the action on Canada's Ultimate Challenge, now streaming free on CBC Gem.