Simon and Angela, who were the first to arrive at the pit stop at 6pm, departed at 10am the next morning to explore more of the city of New York.  Racing from Brooklyn, the team set off for the first task of this leg of the race.

Taryn had provided another food challenge for this leg of the race.  The team were tasked with eating ice cream from the Brooklyn ice cream factory and then they were to walk off the deliciousness across the Brooklyn Bridge.  Simon was impressed with the quality of the ice cream and would’ve had two if they weren’t racing.

Ice cream factory	Bridge and the factory

So very true…

After indulging, the team walked almost back to the centre of Brooklyn to access the secured pedestrian walkway that gave access to the bridge. They crossed the bridge in record time and headed back to Brooklyn via the subway.  Completing this challenge, the team once again relocated to new accommodation, their final for New York.

Brooklyn Bridge panorama

Bridge towards the island	Another shot of the bridge

Serious bridge crossing face

For the second task of this leg of the race, the team had to attend the US Open.  After more sightseeing on Manhattan earlier in the day, the team set off on Saturday evening to Flushing to watch the match. The team had earlier purchased tickets to what they thought was going to be the Woman’s finals (Session 25).

Only part of the bull without people on it

F line subway	Inside the Empire State

Naked Cowgirl of Cowgirl industries

They arrived in time at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre and were able to watch some of the outside games before going to their seats in the USTA Arthur Ashe Stadium. Due to earlier rain delays, their tickets, whilst allowing access for the session on Saturday, were for not the quarter final session.   Session 25 had been rescheduled to the Sunday night, which meant two entries for the price of one.  Ang was stoked.

Serena in the semi finals	Polish girl hits back	Serena wins!

The quarter final match was fairly one sided with Serena Williams soundly defeated Caroline Wozniacki, 6–2, 6–4. This meant the Woman’s final would be Serena versus the Australian, Sam Stosur and the team would be there to support!

More sightseeing was completed the next day, before the team once again headed out on the subway to Queens.

Grand Central station	More of the station

Streetscape, Manhattan	UN building

Outside the Guggenheim	Inside the Guggenheim

Central Park lake	Central Park field

Central Park castle	Central Park wedding (complete with giant flags)

They received yet another pair of promotional caps and took their seats.  The match could be best described as electric with Sam defeating Serena 2-6, 3-6.  As Australians, the team was suitably proud and made many friends amongst the mostly American crowd.

Back at the tennis	An outside match

Racers take their seats

Panorama from the stadium of Manhattan

Game on!	Sam thumps the ball

Will Ferrell on the big screen	Where’s Will?

Serena hits back	Sam about to thump the ball again

Sam wins! Queenslander!	Celebrating with friends and family

Sharing a moment	Flag to win ratio seems wrong

First and second place	Winner!

Stadium panorama, after the win

Later that night, on the journey back to Brooklyn, the team visited the 9/11 site.  They walked around to the fire station where 10 years earlier many fire fighters lost their lives trying to save others.  The team was moved.  The 10^th anniversary had been sombre, subdued event and this brief walk by of the fire station, for Simon, was the most poignant commemoration they witnessed.

9/11 lights

Having originally planned to leave New York on the Monday, they received a surprise detour from Merryl. Their task now was to make their way as rapidly as possible to Guadaloupe, France where they would receive their next clue.

Flights were rapidly booked, but before they would leave the city, the team raced to the Top of the Rock where they took in a sunset.  They then had a few evening drinks at Lillie’s Victorian Establishment with Andrew, before heading back to Brooklyn one last time to pack for their flight, that was once again only a few short hours away in the early hours of the morning.

On Top of the Rock	Pinching the Empire State

Night panorama from the Top of the Rock towards the south