‘Race to Survive: Alaska’ Winners Speak Out After Dramatic Finale
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains major spoilers for the Race to Survive: Alaska finale.]
After a grueling 40-day trek and more than 100 miles traveled, it came down to three teams. Each had braved the punishing wilderness leading into the Race To Survive: Alaska finale on USA Network. Out of the eight duos who started the adventure, left were underdog New York Ivy League siblings Cason and Bella Crane, Seattle outdoor enthusiast buds Max Djenohan and Christian Junkar, and hometown survivalist bros Wilson Hoogendron and Oliver Hoogendorn.
The sixth race of the season saw the exhausted competitors endure all the elements and uneasy terrain to reach the final crate. Max and Christian were ahead most of the way with Wilson and Oliver hot on their heels. At one point, a glacier wall climb looked to have done Wilson and Oliver in with Cason and Bella having a hard time kayaking and facing unbearably cold waters. A navigational error helped play a role in Wilson and Oliver securing the last medallions and $500,000 prize.
Here the fun-loving Inupiaq brothers from Nome, Alaska reflect on their incredible performance and victory.
Patrik Giardino/USA Network
What was going through your mind when you grabbed that last medallion?
Wilson Hoogendorn: I just couldn’t wait to go home. I was so hungry at that point, I just wanted food.
Oliver Hoogendorn: I’d say it was a relief. Like any other super long road trip or hike, it got to the point where you just want to relax.
It was nice to see the final teams all finish and then embrace in the end.
Oliver: It felt good to be done for all of us because it was a huge deal. We were out there for six weeks just starving. When you are sharing this experience, it brings you closer. I think the hugs were genuine.
Max and Christian were right there with you head-to-head in the end. How was it getting past them?
Wilson: That last race they were close to us the whole time. We started running and then I started running as hard as I could. They were still right behind us. We had to go super hard and have all our navigation on point.
Oliver: The big difference is Max and Christina were so close that any decision we made, they could copy. It came down to some key decisions for the race to turn the tables.
Patrik Giardino/USA Network
When you reached the glacier wall, talk about what got you through that.
Oliver: I think climbing up the glacier wall was less exhaustion and more I couldn’t feel my hands. I tried to climb the wall with nubs. I’m sure if I could warm up my hands, I could have climbed it better.
You were clearly among the fan favorites this season. What has been the response like?
Oliver: It has been pretty positive. I haven’t gotten any heat. Messages have been positive things like, “We’re cheering for the AK bros!”, and “AK bros to the top.”
Wilson: This one guy was like, “You are doing the Arby’s 4 for 4.” Then they are saying it’s the Wendy’s 5 for 5. And finally, “I hope you finish with a sixth win.” It was pretty fun.
Did this experience make you even closer as brothers?
Oliver: We were really closer, to begin with, but now it’s more stories.
Wilson: Like telling our children one day, “Remember when I and your Uncle Ollie went to Ketchikan?”
One person on social media said Survivor was Disneyland compared to this experience. How did this experience compare to the other expeditions you’ve done?
Wilson: I feel like this took a lot more patience because we couldn’t just half-ass but had to stop at points and think about where we are going. Usually, we know where we are going.
Oliver: And we have food. The whole TV aspect changed it all too. That was the first time we had been on TV together. That was another thing to think about.
Wilson: At first I was trying to talk to the cameras, but then it was all business in that final run.
As Alaska natives, what does it mean to have this show and to win it all?
Wilson Once we found out this was going to be in Alaska, we had to do this.
Oliver: We were the home team. It would be cool for the people of Nome to watch us on TV, and I don’t think they watch much. It would be cool to see them point to the screen and say, “I know those guys.”
Wilson: We wanted to represent everyone well.
What are you going to do with the money?
Wilson: We’re probably going to spend it on lumber. Also, buy some uniforms for the cross-country team.
Oliver: Yeah, we are both trying to build houses. We want to donate to a food bank. After you go through this and are without food, you think about how people often go through life starving. It makes it a lot more real.
USA Network
What was your first meal after?
Oliver: Wilson ate four sandwiches out of the production cooler. As soon as we were done, production people open up their coolers with all the snacks.
Wilson: I grabbed a bag of Cheetos that were way too salty to eat. I drank a Dr. Pepper at the end.
Oliver: I was eating a bunch of chips, sandwiches, juice, weird gummy snacks, and granola bars.
What comfort from home did you miss the most?
Oliver: I think having electricity again was pretty nice. Also having roads. Roads are what I miss the most. Drivable, walkable, navigable roads.
If they did this again what is your advice to those going through this experience? Keys to victory.
Wilson: I would bring a pair of heavy-duty running shoes and some pants that won’t get stabbed through sticks or whatever you’re running through. Pack light, have water for your backpack, and be ready to starve. Go in a little bit chubby.
Oliver: I wish I gained more weight before we went. Fat and fit.
If they did another race to survive where would they think it would be a good location?
Wilson: I would like to see North Alaska.
Oliver: I would want them to watch them race in the jungle with snakes and spiders
Would you do this show again?
Oliver: If there was more prize money. If they have a season where they bring back the winners, we’d think about doing that.
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Conversation23 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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C
You boys were awesome! Great attitudes the whole race. Always smiling and you worked awesome together. You were my favorite team from the minute the race started! Good luck on your houses! The best team won!!!😉👍
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G
I's so happy you won - you were my favorite team all along!
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O
They were great, I couldn't wait to see each show and then sit there and say go go go boy's and also crying for the happiness I felt for them 😍. GREAT JOB BOY'S
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G
Oliver and Wilson deserved to win. Positive attitudes and no bad mouthing each other or anyone else. They are a class act!! I wish them all the best!!
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R
Best show and best outcome ever! Like the rest of the comments Oliver and Wilson were the favorites for us from day one. They both handled themselves as true gentleman and young men who were raised well and respected the earth and their elders ! I was truly impressed and honored to have watched them help themselves so they could help others. Well done boys!!!
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G
I could not be happier, had someone else won I would had been so disappointed. You kept true to your mom's words of being humble. You are both wonderful young , funny, smart, humble men. nicely done!
4
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G
You were my families favorite from day one! We were cheering from the couch in South Carolina. So proud of you both.
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O
I’m one of those, “I know those guys since. “😊. Great job wish I was home to watch the last show with town at the Foster building!!
4
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G
I'm sure and hope you DVRed it,it was worth it. Nothing like being the underdog.
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O
I absolutely loved the show. I love the way these boys represented their culture.
3
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P
im late to the show, but my mom and i were rooting for these guys... their home state and they were humble and got along so well, plus didnt try to be skeezy like other teams...#1 all the way!
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O
The best team definitely won!!! Awesome job men. Loved the show.
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O
I was rooting for Oliver and Wilson through the process! I am so happy they won. I am proud of all of the contestants! They all did their best and did a great job. That entire race took a lot of GRIT.
2 1
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P
My favorite team won. Loved the women teams that were eliminated but AK Bros best of the final 4.
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B
I'm a few years late to the party but you okes are amazing 👏
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R
Just to clarify, the AK boys won every leg of the race-correct?
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O
This was my must watch show. I just LOVED the race and you two were terrific as a team and as people. I want to come visit Nome.
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P
This was my favorite show to watch and I’m so happy Oliver and Wilson won! I’m looking forward to more seasons of this excellent show!
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O
YAY! They absolutely deserved the win!
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B
Such positive brothers with amazing family culture and good vibes. Stay humble and keep racing!!
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O
Max and Christina?? Scott Fishman, you better reread your article before posting.
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C
Great show and so happy AK Boys won. They played a fair game and positive attitude throughout. I wish them well and happy they’ll be giving back to their community
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W
Yes the two boys were great competitors and certainly earned the win but I found their snarky smiles and attitudes impossible to stomach. I'm surprised that so many here actually liked them. I was cheering for anyone but them to take it at the last minute.
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