Tom Rock and Terry Cosentino sunk their chances of winning "The Amazing Race" after paddling in circles at a rowing detour challenge in Vietnam.

Sitting side by side in their "junk," the couple from New York City were going nowhere. Seven hours later, a frustrated Tom jumped out and swam, dragging the boat, the baskets and Terry behind him, finishing the challenge in the dark.

Knowing they were in last place, Tom, 39, and Terry, 45, apprehensively walked towards host Phil Keoghan at the Pitstop on Soi Sim Island. After learning they were the fifth team eliminated, both responded, saying, "We know."

"All we regret is that we didn't get to say goodbye to some of the teams," says Terry.

"The Amazing Race" (Sundays on CTV) began with 12 teams of two racing around the globe for the prize of US $1 million. The teams never know what's coming next or what they will face once they arrive at each new destination. And in most legs of the competition, the team that comes in last is eliminated from the race.

We talked to Tom and Terry about their experience on the show, getting eliminated, and what it was like sleeping with two cheerleaders!

CTV.ca: What was so difficult about the rowing challenge?

Tom: I grew up in upstate New York on a lake, so my friends and family are also wondering what was so difficult about that! These were not your typical boats and your typical rowing oars.

Terry: At the end of these oars they had these huge, giant spears on them. So they kept getting caught in these ropes in the ocean, and our boat actually flooded.

Tom: We had so much going against us, but we were pretty much neck and neck with the other teams, until our boat flooded.

Terry: And what they kind of alluded to, but didn't show, that I did most of the rowing right after that challenge of climbing that rock, so unlike other teams, it was exhausting for one person to do both stunts.

CTV.ca: What was your fondest memory of the race?

Tom: I'd have to say it was interacting with the other teams. It was a very diverse group of people, in a unique situation. I would say that was better than winning the million dollars.

Terry: I still want the millions dollars! But I have two fond memories. One was sleeping with the cheerleaders. Who would've thought that a gay couple from New York City would be sleeping with a couple of cheerleaders on a train to Mongolia? The other time, I would say was hanging out with fellow racers, Dave and Mary, the Cho brothers, and the Bama girls, in our huts in Mongolia.

CTV.ca: How would you say competing in the race has affected your own relationship?

Tom: It's only strengthened our relationship. We shared this unique experience that hardly anyone else has done. It showed us that we have what it takes to go the long haul.

CTV.ca: So does that mean wedding bells?

Tom: We'll have to come to Canada for that, won't we? You know, never say never. Our relationship is still young, only two and a half years, so we're not planning the wedding quite yet.

Terry: I've always said that if it does happen, it will be once New York State recognizes gay marriage.

CTV.ca: What has your experience been like, travelling the world as a gay couple?

Tom: I would say, on this race we really wanted people to define us by our personalities first and foremost, and not our sexuality. These other teams, screaming at each other, are not being identified as "straight." We wanted people around the world to see us for who we are.

Terry: I can tell you that we had no resistance anywhere we went. All the different locals were extremely kind to us, and as you saw from the most recent episode, that we never considered them foreigners. If anything, we were the foreigners, and we respected every culture that we were at.

CTV.ca: How do you feel about the way you were portrayed on the show?

Tom: There's editing that the show does, but they can only edit the information that they are given. So I would have to say that people, including us, are being portrayed the way that they really are.

Terry: I second that. In the race, what you saw with Peter, definitely took place, and the same thing with Rob, all he ever knew was to call us "dude."

CTV.ca: Which team are you cheering for now?

Tom: You can't help but love David and Mary. I want to see them take the whole thing.

CTV.ca: Any plans to parlay your new-found fame into something bigger?

Terry: Everybody keeps asking us that! And Rosie O'Donnell actually extended an invite to us to go on her boat cruise, she loves us. We've gotten bitten by the reality bug, that's all I can tell you.

CTV.ca: Anything you'd like to say to your fans in Canada?

Tom: We want to thank the viewers in Canada especially, I have family in Canada, but I know this show is huge in Canada.

Terry: It's amazing, the most recognition we get are from people from Canada. Like, everyday is Canada day here in New York City. It's very, very strange. People come up to us and say, "Oh we're here on vacation from Canada, we saw you on TV, we love you guys." So we definitely, definitely want to thank the Canadian audience.