First, to answer some of the comment complaining about the scramble. It's the first leg and after 30 seasons , trying to change the already predictible progression. The show ended up being very easy to follow and not much of a challange to watch while doing something else. If this "random" teams doing "random" challanges is too hard to follow, try something easier like a soap opera.
As someone who watched this from season 1, it's a nice change without runing the original concept. Also, Amazing race always felt like it was missing the "Handle yourself in a new country" element. What I mean is, if you tell them where to go and everyone goes to the same location (more or less) it's less challanging. By letting them choose and thus, have a plan, it's way more realistic and less scripted. They took a chance with this format and I think it's worth it.
Also, complaining about non-elimination legs in a new season... after 30 season you really still want the "the last team may be eliminated" emotional trick? At least they know what they expect and again, makes the show a bit more realistic. Life sometimes sucks, get over it, kinda way.
It's the first time I'm saying this, but considering how bad Survivor has become lately , Amazing Race became a better show. Time will tell, but still... even the idea ... as a long time fan of Survivor, a sad thing to say.