Editor's Note: Chart the progress of Eastern Michigan University junior Erik Reichenbach each week at the "Reich-O-Meter."
Erik Reichenbach, a member of the Airai Tribe (also the
Survivor fans), didn't receive a lot of face time during
the first episode, but it is obvious he respects and emulates
Ozzy Lusth on the "Favorites" side. Ozzie, who relied on
his physical prowess of swimming, running, jumping, climbing
and spear-fishing, was the runner-up on "Survivor:
Cook Islands."
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LET THE GAMES BEGIN: Erik
Reichenbach is off to a good start
on "Survivor Micronesia: Fans vs.
Favorites." His fan team, known as
Airai Tribe, won its challenge and
avoided Tribal Council. Photo courtesy
of CBS.com |
In a short interview snippet, Reichenbach spoke of being
similar to Ozzy, and said, as a cross country and track
runner, he has the required attributes.
"I think I have what it takes to compete at this level," he said.
During a driving rainstorm, Reichenbach was the first to swim to another island, where canoes and individual immunity idols — to be used for the first tribal council only — awaited both teams.
When he reached shore, Reichenbach scrambled about and said, "Where the hell's the idol?"
He did not find it — dangling in plain sight —on
the end of his team's canoe. But, he did say, "I beat Ozzy
and I need to show 'em what I'm made of."
In camp, Reichenbach could be seen helping build the palm-frond roof of his team's shelter.
During the first challenge, the Fans beat the Favorites, also known as the Malakal Tribe, convincingly. Both teams were required to assemble wheels, attach them to a cart, and then push the cart through a series of obstacles. Once the teams reached a sand pit, they were required to dig up planks and assemble a bridge that they could roll their cart across. Once across the bridge and to a platform, the teams disassembled their wheels and used them to construct a turnstile, which was then used to raise a fire to light a wok.
While both teams dug up their planks, Reichenbach greeted
the favorites by playfully tossing sand on Ozzy and another
favorite, Jonathan Penner.
The fans gained immunity and flint to start fires.
The favorites booted off Jonny Fairplay, perhaps the most despicable Survivor contestant ever.
