NBC.com

Fear Factor Episode 327
Original airdate: March 24, 2003
This special episode featured Miss USA contestants.

The six Miss USA delegates paraded next to a large water tank looking like regular Fear Factor contestants - except for the sashes and tiaras. Each beauty queen would be hung by their ankles and lowered into the water head first. The four ladies that could simply hold their breath the longest would advance to round two. It seemed simple, but once the girls were upside-down all the blood would rush to their heads making it that much more difficult to hold their breath a long time. Off came the sashes and tiaras and on went the bathing suits. Miss Minnesota, Sarah, was up first. Sarah was calm as she was lowered into the chilly water holding both her breath and a pair of weights. When she dropped the weights, she would be lifted out of the water. After 35 seconds, she let go. Brittany, Miss Louisiana, was next. Brittany took a big gulp of air seconds before plunging underwater. She too dropped the weights at 35 seconds. Alina, Miss New Mexico, was determined to raise the bar. Alina bent her body in an attempt to last longer; however, the plan backfired when she quit at only 31 seconds. Miss Michigan, Elisa, was pumped to dive into the stunt (so to speak). Elisa didn't get a huge breath before going under, but she passed the 35 second mark with no trouble. After one-minute and 22 seconds, Elisa emerged quite pleased with herself. Seems her childhood swimming contests paid off! Kelly, Miss Utah, was next. Kelly took a late breath and was squirming early on. After only 18 seconds, Kelly was out of the pool - and out of the competition. All Miss North Carolina (Kristen) had to do was beat 31 seconds to advance. Kristen was stiff as a board underwater -and kept her eyes squeezed tightly shut the entire time. With a final time of 47 seconds, Kristen moved on and Alina went home.

As night fell on day two, the girls waited dockside in a boat harbor. Joe directed their attention towards a nearby tank filled with 5,000 pounds of "stinking, rotting, disgusting fish scales." The liquid was a milky gray color and apparently smelled as bad as it looked. At the bottom of the tank were eight thermoses, one of which contained fermented squid guts. After locating the gut-filled thermos, each girl would have to drink one glass of the guts! Would they have the guts to do it? The girls with the three fastest times would advance. Just as Elisa was set to go first, it began to rain. That wouldn't stop Fear Factor! Elisa got into her bathing suit and eased into the gross, stinky water. She found one thermos in less than 20 seconds, but it was filled with sand. After two minutes and four thermoses she still hadn't found the squid guts, but Elisa kept going! Finally, she found the right one and began to chug her glass of guts. Seconds ticked as Elisa choked down squid gutsôher final time, three minutes and 56 seconds. Sarah was next and splashed around like a mermaid while trying to get to the right thermos. Her third try was the charm and she was on to the squid guts after only two minutes. The guts were hard to swallow, but Sarah's final time was two minutes and 28 seconds! She automatically advanced to day three. Brittany dove in next and had her first thermos in 30 seconds. She kept resurfacing empty handed. Luckily, her second thermos was the one she needed. She plugged her nose and chomped on squid guts for a final time of two minutes and 15 seconds. Kristen faced her fish fears next. She was rapidly approaching the three minute mark and still hadn't found the squid. Finally, she grabbed the right thermos and was able to chow down the squid guts. She passed the three-minute mark while choking on squid. With a final time of three minutes and 21 seconds, Kristen was able to send Elisa home.

Sarah, Kristen and Brittany arrived for their final stunt under bright desert sun. There amid the dry scrub and desolate landscape, they learned what they'd have to do to claim the $50,000 prize. Whoever won would be donating half of the prize money to a charity of their choice. Soon a swerving tanker truck screeched to a halt, and Joe explained the stunt. They would each have to stand on the top of the back of the tanker while it swerved down the highway at speeds over 40 miles per hour. Brittany would take the wild ride first. As she suited up in protective gear, the other girls predicted she wouldn't last more than 8 seconds! As the truck got up to speed, Brittany got into position atop the tanker. She assumed a sort of surfing stance and relied on her gymnastics background to help her keep her balance. The truck swerved around various cones, and Brittany stayed strong. Then, the truck went even faster and after 31 seconds, Brittany slid off. Sarah was next and tried to learn from Brittany's technique. The horn sounded and time began. Sarah stayed in a semi-squat position, but couldn't stay up longer than 28 seconds! Sarah was out. Kristen seemed a bit wobbly for the first ten seconds of the stunt. She managed to hang in there, but not for long. After 26 seconds, Kristen slid off and Brittany slid into the record books as Miss Fear Factor 2003! Half of Brittany's winnings were donated to the American Cancer Society.