Dave and Irina’s elimination from The Amazing Race Canada meant the title truly was up for grabs. Love them or hate them (and many, many of you fell into the latter category), they were dominant all season long. So, would it be Andrew and James, Lauren and Joanne or Sarah and Sam who would race their way to cash, cars, trips and the title?

At first blush, it seemed like Anthony and James could take it. They, aside from Dave and Irina, struggled the least in challenges. And, despite a couple of emotional moments, kept their heads in tough times. But the sisters and athletes proved they were worthy too.

The final Leg of The Amazing Race Canada would be decided in Ontario’s cottage country. Here’s what went down.

Floatplanes delivered the final three teams to the lake-filled part of the province, with Port Carling in their sights. While Anthony and James and Sarah and Sam jockeyed for position in taxis in Toronto, Lauren dropped her clue, setting she and her sister back even further. Anthony and James scored the first plane, with the athletes nabbing the second. While those four took to the air, Joanne and Lauren were still grounded and back at the airport. After some help at the information booth, the siblings were skyward, but with a lot of time to make up.

A life-sized trivia game challenged teams to recall tests during each Leg of the Race. Answer all of the questions? Advance. This was a nice twist on the usual franchise memory game, with the added bonus of giving host Jon Montgomery some quality screen time. Anthony and James had completed two questions before Sam and Sarah arrived. They quickly tied the married couple at two apiece. Instead of sticking it out through the whole game, the producers’ editing suite took over, zipping Anthony and James ahead to their final question. They got it right and moved on.

In the Road Block, teams headed to Clevelands House Resort where one member strapped themselves to a hydro fly board. Once riding a pillar of water, they had to toss a bean bag into a target. James, Sam and Joanne all opted to go flying … and screaming. After much practising and numerous tries, James was the first to hit the target, followed by Sam, and then Joanne.

A boat ride to Rosseau Lake College was next, where teams had to build an eight-foot Muskoka chair, with a miniature version as their guide. Anthony’s builder background served him well, and they were off to the races. It took Sam a second or two to realize he was missing a key component of a drill—the bit—and then they started assembling. Lauren, still feeling badly for losing their clue at the airport, took charge. Anthony missed one screw, but it didn’t slow him down much and he and James departed first. Sam and Sarah were done next.

In the second Road Block, teams drove to Santa’s Village in Bracebridge. Once there, the team member who wasn’t on the water had to search for a themed candy cane to deliver to the big man himself for the gift of their next clue. Anthony found a red and yellow candy cane just ahead of Sarah.

Teams left Santa behind in favour of Bala, Ont., and Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh to set up an irrigation system for the farm’s cranberry marsh. There was a lot of running around, falling, and water, but James and Anthony stayed ahead of Sam and Sarah. But some missed connections threatened to derail them. It appeared both teams completed the task at the same time and it would be a footrace to the mat, located at Camp Mini-Yo-We.

It may have seemed close thanks to the editing, but it appeared Anthony and James cruised to victory. They thanked everyone who had helped them along the way. Sarah and Sam placed second, with Lauren and Joanne in third. As a finale, it was a little light on nailbiting drama, but it was a nice wrapup to a good season.

Here’s how the teams finished the final Leg of the Race.

1. Anthony and James
2. Sarah and Sam
3. Joanne and Lauren

Are you happy with the results? What would you like to say to the winning team? Let me know in the comments below.