The final duel of the fifth episode of Beijing Express, in the land of the golden eagle, broadcast Thursday on M6, was disputed between families… The Toulonnaise Arlette and her daughter Caroline chose to face Jean-Claude and Axel, the grandfather and grandson pair from the Gers. And in this game, it is the latter who won. The two women return for 20 minutes on their adventure between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
What motivated you to take part in “Beijing Express”?
Carolina: We had this dream since I was a teenager. I wanted to finalize everything my mom has given me since I was born. I have always lived only with her. It was a wish that we had together, a challenge that we both wanted to take up.
Arlette: I love this game. I’ve been watching it with Caroline for years. Sharing that with my daughter as I reach an age where I have accomplished more than half of my life was ideal. It was just bliss.
You have chosen to face in the final duel Jean-Claude and Axel, the grandfather and his grandson, who have a similar dynamic. Why them?
VS. : Charlotte and Sarah had a disability [elles avaient dû effectuer l’étape accompagnées d’une femme portant une imposante statue], suddenly, it was not possible to take them, it would have been badly played to do that. Tarik and Ahmed had already had a final duel, so we weren’t going to hit them hard. So, by elimination, only Jean-Claude and Axel remained.
AT. : We knew that it would be Axel who would do the final duel and that it would be complicated for us because he is very young, he runs very fast. We took a risk.
You could have been more strategic and chose Charlotte and Sarah…
AT. : Completely. There, we played with the heart. We didn’t want to take someone with a disability, even if we wanted to go far in the game.
When, after your defeat, you discover that the event is indeed eliminatory, how did you feel?
VS. : At the time, it was a big disappointment. We wanted to go to Jordan. We didn’t think we were going to win Beijing Express, but we hoped to continue a little bit. Afterwards, we took it lightly, telling ourselves that we had done half the game.
AT. : And then we were lucky to be taken for Beijing Expressit is enormous !
VS. : We are proud of ourselves, of what we have done. We shared a lot of wonderful things with the locals, so it doesn’t matter. That’s life.
What is your strongest memory?
VS. : For me, it’s when we won the first stage. We didn’t expect it at all. There were many pairs stronger than us. It was a big surprise. When we see the images, we still have chills.
AT. : In the game, it’s our greatest memory, I agree. Heart-wise, I would say the best moment was our first night at homestay. We made friends with an adorable little girl. It was hard to leave her. I would never forget it either.
Have you discovered things about each other that you didn’t know?
VS. : No. My mother was in the game as I know her on a daily basis. I know she’s been a lifelong fighter. She showed it in Beijing Express.
AT. : I knew that Caroline was a fighter, quite athletic, that she liked challenges, but where she surprised me was when she tasted cow intestine. I was quite amazed that she could eat it because she is quite picky. And then, going to sleep with the locals like that, I didn’t think it would be easy for her. It’s not in his nature. So I realized that my daughter is a woman and that I have to stop mothering her (laughs).