Meet the 18 Castaways of Survivor: Gabon

Author: People's Journal

A 29-year-old African-American woman who happens to be a 2004 Olympic gold medalist, a New York-born skinhead with an English accent; a marathon-running lawyer who also happens to be a gay single man living in New York City, a go-getting girl-next-door; a part-time actress and waitress, and full-time goofball, a young doctor from Florida who has been named as the state of Georgia's hottest bachelor by Cosmopolitan Magazine in 2006, and a self-described ruthless bully - it's definitely going to be an intriguing, tough, and interesting season of Survibor!

Survivor: Gabon - the 17th season of the phenomenal, Emmy-winning show, Survivor - is all set to take local TV by storm with its premiere episode tomorrow , 2:00 p. m. via satellite and 7:25p. m. on primetime, only on Q Channel 11.

Marooned in Gabon , Africa - one of the world's last remaining sanctuaries of pure untouched wilderness - 18 castaways will embark on an amazing adventure, trying to survive extreme conditions while attempting to forge alliances with strangers from diverse backgrounds.

"In a strange coincidence to Earth's Last Eden - good vs. evil emerges as a major theme this season. I think the audience will quickly identify with one group or the other," host Jeff Probst said.

Here are the Castaways competing to outwit, outplay, and outlast each other on Survivor: Gabon - Earth's Last Eden:

Randy Bailey - A 49-year-old wedding videographer from Eagle Rock, Missouri Randy is a self-described "ruthless bully" and "train wreck. "

Jacque Berg - Jacque is a 25year-old Medical Device Sales Rep who lives in Santa Barbara , California . She plays to win and will settle for nothing less than number one.

Danny "GC" Brown - A native of Portland, Oregon, Danny is a 26year-old maintenance man who considers himself a true Survivor, having overcome a difficult childhood which included experiencing homelessness.

Michelle Chase - Pretty brunette Michelle, 24, is a music production assistant who lives in Los Angeles .

Crystal Cox - Durham , North Carolina resident Crystal , 29, is a 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist in track for the 4 X 400m Relay. She is currently a childcare teacher, high school track coach, and professional athlete.

Robert "Bob" Crowley - Physics Teacher Robert, 58, lives in Portland , Maine and considers himself a hybrid of Indiana Jones and Robinson Crusoe.

Kelly Czarnecki - Blonde, girl-next-door Kelly is a 22-year-old from Buffalo Grove , Illinois . She is a sales manager at one of the top retail boutiques in Chicago .

Ace Gordon- Skinhead Ace, 27, lives in Naples , Florida and is in jewelry sales. He grew up in London , has an English accent, and is a self-proclaimed charmer.

Charlie Herschel - Charlie, 29, is a single gay guy living in New York . He is also a lawyer for one of the top 10 most prestigious law firms in the world and an avid marathon runner.

Ken Hoang - Westminster , California resident Ken, 22, is a professional gamer who is the current international champion of Nintendo's Super Smash brothers Melee video game.

Corrine Kaplan - Smart, sexy, former sorority girl Corrine, 29, lives in Los Angeles and works in pharmaceutical sales. And she's a self-described bitch.

Dan Kay - Charismatic lawyer Dan, 32, lives in Boston . He recently took time off from his job to focus more on himself, his friends and his family.

Jessica "Sugar" Kiper - Twenty-nine year old pin-up model - who looks a bit like Gwen Stefani - lives in Brooklyn , New York . Jessica is a part-time actress and waitress, and a self-described free spirit and goofball.

Gillian Larson - Temecula , California resident Gillian, 61, worked as a nurse for 41 years. Now retired, Gillian says that she is yet to satisfy her appetite for adventure and travel.

Marcus Lehman - A 28-year-old doctor from Atlanta, Marcus has been named as the state of Georgia 's hottest bachelor by Cosmopolitan Magazine in 2006.

Susie Smith - Susie, 47, is a hairdresser from Charles City, Iowa. This Mexican-American mom says she is now ready for a change.

Paloma Soto-Castillo - Downey , California resident Paloma, 24, says that she has been playing the social game all her life. She has a BA in communication studies from California State University , Long Beach and continues to go to school.

Matty Whitmore - Matty, 29, is a personal trainer who wants the opportunity to find out what he is capable of doing on his own. He currently lives in Pacific Palisades, California.

Be sure to catch the season premiere this Friday - via telecast at 2 p. m. and primetime telecast at 7:25p. m. with a weekend replay on Saturday, 5:30 p. m. - on Q Channel 11.

Source: People's Journal