The Amazing Race Season 38 Week 5 recap: Portugal to Croatia, alliances shift under pressure

Teams left Portugal behind and raced into Croatia in Week 5 of The Amazing Race Season 38, which caused the competition to take a drastic shift. A simple drive soon turned into one of the most powerful strategic battles of the season, replete with an uncommon Double U-Turn that revealed weaknesses in even the most solid alliances.

In the self-drive leg, competitors had to rely solely on their ability to navigate and make decisions, and each wrong turn had expensive repercussions. A leg where mental toughness was just as important as pace was made possible by the stunning but harsh Croatian scenery.

Additionally, the episode featured a roadblock that put the racers' mechanical expertise, patience, and teamwork to the test, leaving some of them on the edge of tears. Who could remain calm under duress was more important than who would arrive at the Pit Stop first, as alliances broke down and confidence started to decline. The Amazing Race is as much about surviving the game as it is about winning it, as demonstrated by Week 5's intense emotions and constantly changing tactics.

The Amazing Race Season 38: Croatia chaos & turning points

The Amazing Race Season 38 Leg 5 tested endurance, strategy, and fidelity in addition to speed. Teams were forced to do more than just locate their way; they had to handle the weight of a possible U-turn and drive themselves through Croatia's twisting roadways. Together, the tactics and the terrain caused the standings to shift, raising major concerns about who is actually racing and who is merely coasting.

The double u-turn & alliance shifts

The Double U-Turn was the most important strategic move of the week. Strong threats were preemptively attacked by the top alliance: Joseph & Adam eliminated Kristine & Rubina, while Jag & Jas exploited their edge on Izzy & Paige. These actions offered mid-pack teams optimism and revealed cracks in the formerly solid front-group partnerships.

At the same time, all teams were exposed to risk due to the self-driving component, through Dubrovnik and the neighboring areas. The balance of power changed with a single miscalculation or misinterpreted clue. The race's strategic tempo shifted; speed was important, but so were your choices about who to trust and when to attack.

The roadblock & emotional fallout

The Roadblock in Croatia forced racers to their limits, both mentally and physically. Coordination, composure, and accuracy were needed for a timed roll down a steep road after a kart assembly work. The challenge was "frustrating," as *CarterMatt* points out, and it made several contestants cry.

The pressure increased due to leasing misunderstanding and navigation blunders, which caused some top teams to lose their advantage. What began as a competition for position became a battle for poise. This leg showed the behind teams that there isn't much room for error anymore, every second lost widened the gaps. In the meantime, the alliance-themed twists made strategic gambits and emotional scars evident and significant.

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Tune into CBS to watch all the episodes of The Amazing Race Season 38.

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