Blind mountaineer Erik Weihenmayer to compete on new ABC reality show, "Expedition Impossible"
The press release from ABC:
"EXPEDITION IMPOSSIBLE" ANNOUNCES THE 13 TEAMS OF THREE VYING FOR VICTORY IN THE BIGGEST ADVENTURE OF THEIR LIVES
Show Shot on Location in the Kingdom of Morocco
ABC's exciting new summer series, "Expedition Impossible," announces the show's 13 teams of three who will find themselves racing in a fun expedition across vast deserts, over snow capped mountains and through raging rivers in the beautifully exotic, fabled Kingdom of Morocco. Each week a new stage of the expedition will be revealed to the teams. Will they crumble under the pressure of having to think clearly in the wilds of the great outdoors, or will they find a way to work together to complete the expedition? After 10 stunning legs of competition with drama, comedy and great characters, one team will cross the finish line first to claim victory. Each winning team member will receive $50,000 ($150,000 total for the team) as well a new Ford Explorer.
"Expedition Impossible," full of high adventure and human drama, premieres on TUESDAY, JUNE 21 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Adventurer, zoologist, big cat trainer and all around risk taker Dave Salmoni hosts.
The 13 teams of three are:
CALIFORNIA GIRLS
Christina Chin (24) Davis, CA Corporate PR
Brittany Smith (24) Rancho Murieta, CA Aspiring Pro Golfer
Natalie Smith (25) Woodland, CA Teacher/Coach
These brainy beauties not only carry the burden of being both gorgeous and smart, they also happen to be talented athletes. Christina, Brittany and Natalie met at UC Davis, where they were all recruited to compete for the Aggies. These ladies are always up for adventure and aren't afraid to get a little dirty.
THE COPS
Robert Robillard (43) Concord, MA Police Lieutenant
Dani Henderson (34) Marlborough, MA Police Officer
Jim Vaglica (49) Billerica, MA Police Sergeant
The camaraderie that is shared between police officers is hard to replicate anywhere else in life. The level of trust that's necessary to work together is amplified when you're putting your life in someone else's hands - which is something these three Massachusetts officers do every day, and will put to good use during their Moroccan expedition.
THE COUNTRY BOYS
Nicholas Coughlin (28) Clinton, MS Internet Marketing/ Entrepreneur
Jason Cronin (37) Pensacola Beach, FL Business Owner/Entrepreneur
Chad Robinson (27) Bolton, MS Real Estate Investor
Hailing from the country backwoods of Mississippi, Nick, Jason and Chad are true Southern cowboys who know a thing or two about surviving. Jason has survived cancer, Crohn's disease and the West Nile Virus, and was told he would only have six months to live... three years later he's still going strong. All standing over 6'3", these athletic country boys are ready to use size to their advantage and dominate the competition.
FAB 3
Ryan Allen Carrillo (36) Los Angeles, CA Business Owner
Kari Gibson (26) Los Angeles, CA Model
AJ Gibson (30) Los Angeles, CA Mortgage Consultant
Sister and brother Kari and AJ moved from small town Ohio to the big city lights of Los Angeles, and shortly thereafter AJ met Ryan. Ryan is AJ's former partner and now best friend. Together this team has a deadly combination of insanely good looks, killer smiles and innate athleticism.
THE FISHERMEN
Gus Sanfilippo (48) Gloucester, MA Fisherman
Nino Sanfilippo (43) Gloucester, MA Fisherman
Joe Sanfilippo (44) Gloucester, MA Fisherman
Ready to represent the storied Northeast fishing community of Gloucester, Massachusetts, Gus (the captain), Nino (the engineer) and Joe (the deckhand) are three old-school Italian fishermen with small town values and big time hearts. Bonded together by blood (Gus and Nino are brothers, Joe is their cousin), they also work side by side as crewmates aboard the Captain Dominic. They believe their experience working together under pressure and routinely risking their lives while out at sea gives them an inherent "toughness" that will help them win.
THE FOOTBALL PLAYERS
Akbar Gbaja-Biamila (31) Los Angeles, CA Broadcaster
Robert Ortiz (27) Solana Beach, CA Business Owner
Ricky Sharpe (31) Costa Mesa, CA Health and Fitness Consultant
These three former NFL players met while playing football for San Diego State University. Akbar was a linebacker for the Oakland Raiders and later the San Diego Chargers. Robert also played for the Chargers as a wide receiver, and Ricky spent several seasons with the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins. They consider themselves to be hyper competitive and willing to do what it takes to win under any circumstances.
GRANDPA'S WARRIORS
Dick Smith (69) Normal, IL Store Owner
Steven Smith (48) Savoy, IL Store Owner
Samantha Smith-Gibbs (23) Thomasboro, IL Store Manager
This team represents three generations of Smiths - grandfather, son and granddaughter. Patriarch Richard "Dick" Smith started the outdoor specialty store Wild Country, where his son and granddaughter are employed. Both father and son were U.S. Army Officers, served in the Special Forces and are Airborne and Ranger qualified. And although Sam may be a little prissy, she definitively has a competitive spirit.
THE GYPSIES
John Post (25) Pensacola Beach, FL Sustainable Farmer
Taylor Filasky (31) San Diego, CA Video Producer
Eric Bach (26) San Francisco, CA Entrepreneur
Though they're a bit wacky and lovably free-spirited, these friends take competition very seriously. Collectively they've worked, volunteered, lived in and traveled to over 40 countries. Despite their escapades, they've never been on an adventure like this, and are excited to show what they can do.
LATIN PERSUASION
Dashia Imperiale (44) New York, NY Fitness Instructor
Raven Garcia (30) Bronx, NY Freelance Writer
Mai Reyes (38) New York, NY Manager
Excitable, determined and full of spice, these three Latinas know how to liven up any event and come fully equipped with a "win at all costs" attitude. Friends and co-workers, these ladies are a competitive force to be reckoned with.
MOM'S ARMY
Ellie Vanderbeck (52) Reading, PA Bookkeeper
Ruthie Vanderbeck (28) Reading, PA Realtor
Abbie Vanderbeck (30) Norwalk, CT Nanny
Eleanor is the matriarch of this family. Her daughters, Ruthie and Abbie, both served their country in the U.S. Army National Guard. Although they don't consider themselves a physically strong team, the three women are problem solvers, which may help give them a leg up in the competition.
NY FIREMEN
Kevin Coursey (39) Belle Harbor, NY Firefighter
Rob Keiley (34) Rockaway Park, NY Firefighter
Mike Egan (34) Rockaway Park, NY Firefighter
For all the reasons you would think - the nature of their work, the risks they take, how they have to depend on each other to quite literally stay alive - Kevin, Rob and Mike consider themselves "brothers" and will always be there for each other. Competitive by nature and willing to take risks, this team will be a force to contend with.
NO LIMITS
Erik Weihenmayer (42) Golden, CO Motivational Speaker/Writer (pictured)
Jeff Evans (41) Boulder, CO Motivational Speaker/Physician Assistant
Aaron "Ike" Isaacson (33) Topeka, KS Soldier
These friends stick together in good times and bad. Erik became blind at an early age, but he didn't let that get him down. In 2001 he summitted Mt. Everest. Jeff serves as Erik's "eyes in the field." He has been Erik's primary climbing guide for over 20 years and is a published author and motivational speaker. Ike is an officer in the military, earning two Bronze Star Medals, a Purple Heart and an Army Commendation Medal, among others. He has served in Iraq and Afghanistan and will deploy again to Afghanistan after completing "Expedition Impossible."
TEAM KANSAS
Lindsey Haymond (27) Houston, TX Teacher
Kelsey Fuller (22) Overland Park, KS Student
Mackenzie Fuller (18) Overland Park, KS Student
These three sisters, originally hailing from Kansas, are girly and sporty. But don't let their good looks and sparkling smiles deceive you; they're also cutthroat competitors, brimming with self confidence and willing to give it their all to win. In fact, these sisters are so competitive that 18-year-old Mackenzie is missing her senior prom to compete on "Expedition Impossible."
"Expedition Impossible" was created by Mark Burnett, who also serves as executive producer with Lisa Hennessy. Both the television show and format will be distributed internationally by Mark Burnett International Distribution.
