The second season of CBC’s Canada’s Ultimate Challenge is ready to bring more twists and turns, and a change in format.

The new 7 x 60-minute season of the reality series has eliminated the use of famous athlete coaches to train the participants. The new format will be player-led, according to a news release.

Canada’s Ultimate Challenge is produced by Insight Productions (A Boat Rocker Company) and The Gurin Company. Erin Brock, John Brunton, Mark Lysakowski and Jeff Thrasher are executive producers for Insight and Phil Gurin for The Gurin Company.

Erin Brock, EP and SVP, Insight Productions, said in a statement that the change will allow audiences “to more closely follow the dramatic journeys of the authentic and truly extraordinary Canadians featured on the show.” The second season will premiere on CBC and CBC Gem on April 28.

Season two will feature 20 competitors, divided into five teams of four, as they take on physical and mental challenges across Canada. The competition begins in St. John’s, N.L., stopping in Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Que., Ottawa and Hamilton, Ont., Canmore, Alta., Revelstoke, B.C. and Vancouver Island. The winning team will receive a trip to the Paris Olympic Games, which takes place from July 26 to Aug. 11. Broadcaster Brandon Gonez is hosting the second season.

“The new season of Canada’s Ultimate Challenge features a diverse cast of players. They each bring their own unique energy, skills, and background to their teams; creating exciting and entertaining team dynamics,” said Jennifer Dettman, executive director, unscripted content at CBC.

The first season of the show is up for four Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Reality/Competition Series.

Image courtesy of CBC