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Kristie wins Australian Survivor

Kristie defeats Lee for the title of sole Survivor.

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Kristie Bennett has won Australian Survivor and the $500,000 prize.

She defeated Lee Carseldine for the title of sole Survivor following 55 days in Samoa.

The finale delivered on highlights with Kristie, Lee and El in a gruelling endurance test standing on wooden poles before the dramatic crashing waves of Samoa. They would face off before family members for over 6 hours.

After a punishing, uncomfortable test El collapsed, leaving Kristie and Lee to face off. But Kristie drew on emotions pleading with Lee to give in, fulfilling her dream as an 8 year old girl, and promising to take him to the final 2. It was dramatic, visually spectacular and tugged at the heartstrings.

When it came to the Tribal Council she was true to her word, sending El Rowland to the final place on the jury.

In the final Tribal Council Lee argued he had played with integrity over a physical and social game. But Kristie made a determined ‘live wire’ speech about surviving against the odds, as the only player who had outlasted two entire tribes and 20 tribal councils. While it bordered on arrogant it was a compelling argument in a game that rewards the one who outwits, outplay and outlasts all others.

When the winner was announced, they were surrounded by even more family members, ending an emotional finale. Kristie won every vote except El’s.

“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done but I’ve managed to achieve my lifetime goal at 24. I never thought that would happen and am so proud to say that I did it,” she said later.

“When Jonathan read my name out, I don’t even know how to explain how I felt. It was as if every single moment was completely worthwhile, like it was always going to be leading to that exact moment.”

Lee added: “I’m so proud of Kristie and what she achieved. She’s got such an amazing story and I don’t think anyone is more deserving. She went through hell and after 55 days of it, for her to win it, I couldn’t think of anyone else.”

The cash prize is one of the biggest in Australian television.

TEN has already renewed the series for a second season with casting now open.

48 Responses

  1. Quote from Kristie on day 41 out of 55

    “It not fun, to be the other vote. I got 4 votes tonight arr but you know what I got fire now and I am not going to let anyone I am not push me around and I am not putting up with that shit. If any think it was a nice little wake up call to reality. That now the time to accurately be playing, it wasn’t time before but now it is.”

    Luckiest Survivor of all time by getting through 75% of the game and not even playing it. Saying that she buff the pants off the jury.

  2. I am so glad that she won.

    Also it was a great series. Production values were equilivent to the US show and they brought back the best challenge ever (the hand on idol challenge from last night) and made it loook really (censored) awesome on that clif top.

    My only issues is the non-elimination episodes and that the cast should have more game-savy players (ie, Nick and Phoebe) as that would have avoided the stretch of slightily predicable episodes where the elimination was obvious (as a result of several people in the tribe not wanting to make a move)

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