Jan. 29, 2018
SERIES PREMIERE
LET THE WINTER GAMES BEGIN! BACHELOR NATION BECOMES BACHELOR WORLD WHEN ADVENTUROUS ROMANTICS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE SEARCH FOR LOVE AMIDST FRIENDLY COMPETITION, ON ABC’S ‘THE BACHELOR WINTER GAMES’
The Premiere Episode Highlights an Appearance From Bachelor Nation Alumni Trista and Ryan Sutter and a Performance by Country Singer/Songwriter Ruthie Collins
Photo credit: ABC/Lorenzo Bevilaqua* For high-res photos, click here.
“Episode 101” – Baby, it’s cold outside when 25 bachelors and bachelorettes from around the world meet in the streets of Manchester, Vermont, for a grand celebration of unity and love on the premiere of the new highly anticipated four-episode series, “The Bachelor Winter Games,” beginning TUESDAY, FEB. 13 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST), on The ABC Television Network, streaming and on demand.
Chris Harrison hosts with ESPN SportsCenter anchor and sports journalist Hannah Storm and KABC-TV sports anchor and correspondent Ashley Brewer there to help report on all of the exciting action. Bachelor royalty Trista and Ryan Sutter make a special appearance, serving as grand marshals to kick off the festivities. Following a featured performance by up-and-coming country music sensation Ruthie Collins, the singles move into their Bachelor villa at The Hermitage Club at Haystack Mountain in Wilmington, Vermont, and the games of love begin.
Back at the Bachelor villa, Chris Harrison reveals that the winter challenges will begin with a biathlon the next morning. Only the male and female winners will be awarded a date card and the opportunity to ask a potential love interest on a romantic escapade. With suitors searching for love from international versions of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” franchises, chemistry quickly heats up across borders, with an American man sharing a passionate kiss with a woman from New Zealand before the first night is over. The immediate connections among the group make the next day’s inaugural challenge as intense as ever. With Hannah Storm and Ashley Brewer there to help cover the day’s activities, a particularly entertaining biathlon takes place, ending with two lucky winners skiing off with a date card and a decision to make. One winner makes a difficult choice, leading to a full-on meltdown from a Bachelor Nation fan favorite. While one couple heads to Wilmington, Vermont, for a night out on the town, another departs for a charming date where sparks fly as fireworks light up the sky. Later, at the first dramatic cocktail party, Chris Harrison delivers a bolt from the blue – five people will have to say goodbye at the end of the night, leaving alliances to be made and romance to be had if anyone wants a chance to stay in the game.
“Episode 102” – In the next episode that airs THURSDAY, FEB. 15 (8:00–10:00 p.m. EST), romantic connections are well underway as the participants arrive at an ice rink for their second winter games challenge – speed skating. Chris Harrison and Hannah Storm are at the anchor desk with Ashley Brewer on the sidelines to recap the qualifying rounds where some stumble, some speed and some trudge to the finish line. After a surprising twist, two unexpected skaters win a coveted date card. One winner and his lady of choice go on an adventurous tubing date where concerns are brought up that lead to a relationship-defining conversation. Another couple takes a picturesque horse-drawn carriage ride and establishes a deep bond in a woodburning hot tub. One bachelor ends a short-lived courtship for another lady; but everyone knows that in Bachelor world when one door closes, another is always ready to be opened, especially when Jordan from New Zealand finally shows up to the villa. At the rose ceremony, the remaining participants have no idea what to expect until Chris Harrison makes an important announcement that sends some people scrambling in order to avoid being sent home.
As previously announced, below is cast for “The Bachelor Winter Games”:
USA Men
Ben, 29, “The Bachelor” Season 20
Dean, 26, “The Bachelorette” Season 13 (Rachel Lindsay)
Eric, 29, “The Bachelorette” Season 13 (Rachel Lindsay)
Jamey, 33, “The Bachelorette” Season 13 (Rachel Lindsay)
Josiah, 29, “The Bachelorette” Season 13 (Rachel Lindsay)
Luke, 33, “The Bachelorette” Season 12 (JoJo Fletcher)
Michael, 37, “The Bachelorette” Season 9 (Desiree Hartsock Siegfried)
USA Women
Ashley I., 29, “The Bachelor” Season 19 (Chris Soules)
Clare, 36, “The Bachelor” Season 18 (Juan Pablo Galavis)
Lesley, 30, “The Bachelor” Season 17 (Sean Lowe)
Bibiana, 30, “The Bachelor, Season 22 (Arie Luyendyk Jr.)
Lauren G., 27, “The Bachelor, Season 22 (Arie Luyendyk Jr.)
International Men Benoit, 31, “The Bachelorette” Season 1 – Canada
Christian, 34, “The Bachelorette” Season 1 – Switzerland and Germany
Courtney, 31, “The Bachelorette” Season 2 – Australia
Jordan, 34, “The Bachelor” Season 2 – New Zealand
Kevin, 33, “The Bachelorette” Season 1 – Canada
International Women
Ally, 24, “The Bachelor” Season 3 – New Zealand
Jenny, 34, “The Bachelor” Season 1 – Finland
Laura, 29, “The Bachelor” Season 1 – United Kingdom
Lily, 21, “The Bachelor” Season 3 – New Zealand
Nastassia, 26, “The Bachelor” Season 3 – Sweden
Rebecca, 26, “The Bachelor” Season 3 – Sweden
Tiffany, 31, “The Bachelor” Season 4 – Australia
Yuki, 21, “The Bachelor” Season 1 – Japan
Zoe, 25, “The Bachelor” Season 1 – China
Hosted by Chris Harrison, “The Bachelor Winter Games” is a production of Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Unscripted & Alternative Television. Mike Fleiss, Martin Hilton, Nicole Woods and Bennett Graebner are the executive producers. Harrison is a co-executive producer. “The Bachelor Winter Games” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 stereo surround sound. A parental guideline will be assigned closer to the airdate.
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