Season 41 of “The Challenge” is shaking up the game with a fresh format that pairs veteran competitors with a new crop of international rookies. The official title for the season is “Vets and New Threats,” and among the returning all-stars is two-time champion Cara Maria Sorbello. She’s stepping back into the arena alongside some of the show’s most legendary players.
In a late July interview, Sorbello offered insight into the season’s intense opening challenge, her new partner, and the impressive newcomers giving the vets a run for their money.
A New Format & a New Partner in ‘The Challenge’ Season 41
In this latest season, 16 veterans are paired with 16 rookies for a high-stakes competition that’s equal parts physical endurance and social strategy. Before any teams were formed, the players had to hike a 5,479-foot mountain.
It was a grueling challenge that determined the order in which they’d choose their partners. Sorbello ended up with Jake Cornish from season 7 of “Love Island UK.” While she didn’t know much about Cornish initially, Sorbello said she had a good feeling.
“Taking a look around at all the other guys, I feel like he’s pretty well built. I know he’s a boxer, so I know he’s got endurance and he’s not afraid to get hit,” she told TV Line. “So, I feel like I’m with a good partner for sure.”
That physical toughness could give the duo an edge in a season packed with heavy hitters like Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio, CT Tamburello, and Ashley “Millionaire” Mitchell. Not to mention some aggressive new blood.
1 Rookie Standout Was ‘Built for Destruction’
Season 41 marks a turning point for “The Challenge.” It introduces a new wave of competitors, known as the “New Threats,” pulled from a wide range of global reality shows. This includes “Survivor,” “Big Brother,” “Too Hot to Handle,” and “The Amazing Race.”
But there was one woman in particular who immediately made an impression on Sorbello — Ayoleka “Leka” Sodade from “Canada’s Ultimate Challenge.”
“Looking at the lineup of women, my eyes were definitely on Leka. I thought she looked like she could be an insane competitor. She was built for destruction, for sure,” Sorbello said.
The two-time winner also noted how athletic and intense the rookie women seemed overall. She says the first thing she noticed was how “stunning and athletic” the girls were.
“The women jumped out to me right off the rip,” Sorbello admitted.
‘The Challenge’ Season 41 Social Game Still Favors the Vets
While the rookies may have the muscle, Sorbello says veterans still hold the upper hand. That’s especially true when it comes to “The Challenge’s” ever-important social game.
“Pairing up a new person [with] a vet actually makes things a whole lot easier because the new people, they don’t have any history,” she explained. “There’s no background or politics when it comes to the new kids, so we’re really just playing a vet game with the assistance of the new kids.”
That kind of experience could make all the difference in a game that’s as much about alliances and loyalty as it is about brute strength and strategy. Many of the veterans, including Sorbello, have competed in numerous seasons and know how to navigate the twists and turns better than anyone.
Season 41 of “The Challenge” premieres July 30 on MTV, with new episodes airing every Wednesday.
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Cara Maria Returns for ‘The Challenge’ Season 41 & Says the Rookies Are ‘Built for Destruction’