Tracy Hughes-Wolf (second row, second from left) makes her debut on television's 'Survivor' Thursday at 8 p.m. Monty Brinton/CBS Visit the Photo Place

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Watch Spotsylvania County resident Tracy Hughes-Wolf compete in the latest installment of "Survivor" Thursday night

Date published: 2/4/2008

By KIM BAER

Tracy Hughes-Wolf vividly remembers seeing the trailer for the first season of "Survivor."

Hughes-Wolf was hooked right then.

"I will get on this show one day," she told her husband.

Eight years later, she did.

The Spotsylvania County resident was one of 10 "ultra fans" chosen for the 16th season of the reality show.

"Survivor Micronesia: Fans vs. Favorites" airs at 8 p.m. Thursday on CBS.

Here's how the show works: Cast members are abandoned in a remote location, split into two teams and required to compete in challenges.

Every week, someone is voted off. The last one left wins a million dollars.

Hughes-Wolf is now back at her Fawn Lake home with her husband and their two daughters.

She isn't yet allowed to talk about her experiences on the show, but she could describe how she prepared for the competition.

She spent hours watching old episodes of "Survivor." She studied the techniques of Danni Boatwright, who won "Survivor: Guatemala" and Tina Wesson, winner of "Survivor: The Australian Outback."

She then decided on her strategy for winning the game--she would be laid back.

Those who present themselves as leaders up front are used at the beginning, she said, then voted off after alliances are formed.

"You can't be aggressive on 'Survivor,'" she said. "Only in spurts."

Hughes-Wolf, an entrepreneur who most recently started her own residential and commercial construction company, knew that not taking charge would be difficult for her.

She believed she could do it.

"I did very well in preparing for it," she said. "I hope you guys will be pleased with what you see."

Kim Baer: 540/368-5028
Email: kbaer@freelancestar.com

WHAT: "Survivor Micronesia: Fans vs. Favorites" WHEN: Thursday at 8 p.m., on CBS

Date published: 2/4/2008