Race's first gay casualty

So Lauren and Duke, last night was the airing of your final trip on The Amazing Race. How are you two reflecting on your experience? Duke: The experience is so difficult to articulate, you actually have to live it, there are no words to explain it really. We are very fortunate and grateful to have been on the show. The friendships we made with all the other team members were just priceless. Lauren: I had a truly amazing experience traveling with my dad, encountering new cultures that I wouldn't have encountered otherwise. And even though we didn't win that million-dollar prize, I know that together we came out on top. Had it not been for the show, we might not have had the opportunity to bond in the special way that we did. The memories we made together are priceless, and they will stay with me forever. Our relationship can only get better from here and I'm really excited for us to learn from one another and continue becoming friends. He will always be my dad, but he's no longer just my dad, he really is a friend.

Do you have any regrets about the show? L: I guess last night when we were together with all the other contestants and asked for directions to find the coal [part of the show's Detour challenge]. Then, all of a sudden, it seemed like they vanished into thin air. So, we weren't able to find the coal before we stumbled upon the bird cage. Despite that, we completed the task and worked really well together, as we did with every other task. We were both very supportive and helpful to each other and we never argued during tasks since that really doesn't get you anywhere. D: We worked really well as a team. I was always impressed by her and I think that came through on the show. L: We endured some of the most stressful situations that anyone could ever face. So it's been great to take home that knowledge that I can work with my dad through those difficult situations

What made you decide to audition in the first place? L: Well, I had originally applied for Survivor, and since I made it through many rounds of interviewing, they learned how my dad and I were just recently starting to end our estrangement and work on our relationship. Then [CBS officials] approached me and suggested we apply for The Amazing Race together to see if the race could bring us any closer. So I called my dad and told him what they had told me, and since we were both big fans of the show there wasn't much to consider. It was really the opportunity of a lifetime.

How much of the estrangement was due to your coming out? L: I'd say about 95% of it. My dad just had a really hard time coping with and accepting my being gay. And it was really difficult because we went years without talking to each other and going to family functions without seeing each other. But I understood that he had his own process for dealing with it that I couldn't change, just like I had to go through my own process when I came out to myself. I always hoped he would come to accept it and not just see me as Lauren his lesbian daughter, but as his daughter Lauren, who happens to be a lesbian.

So how has your relationship changed since doing the show? L: It has changed dramatically; it's really been amazing. We've really bonded and become incredibly close, and if it weren't for the race we probably wouldn't have had this time to work on and strengthen our relationship. And it really did pay off for us.

Duke? D: I completely agree with Lauren. It took me a long time to come to terms with things, but the race literally brought us closer together. I'm so happy and grateful that it did. All of my previous issues are really behind me now and I'm glad I can keep them there. L: I think this opportunity has inspired us to enjoy life's journey and appreciate things in the present tense rather than concentrating on issues from the past. We have started living life to the fullest and we now appreciate each other much more as people.

Of the teams left on the show, whom are you rooting for? Who do you think will win? D: I think we're both rooting for Peter and Sarah; we became good friends with them on the race and think the world of them. L: They've got what it takes; they're very strong both physically and mentally. D: It's no secret, though, that we thought we would be in the final three with them and Tyler and James.

Do you think Peter and Sarah will pull through? D and L: We hope so!