posted Oct 25th, 2005 - Today's 8-way competition was a copy of yesterday's three rounds, at least between Arizona Airspeed and France LaPalisse/Maubeuge. There was only a very little difference that might still become a psychological advantage for the US team. Yesterday France won one round, today Airspeed did not give up any of the three rounds.

It still ended up with only a 1-point difference between the two top contenders for rounds four, five and six. However, Airspeed was able to add one point to the lead and will go into round seven tomorrow with a 2-point advantage. Both teams are experienced enough to know that two points mean nothing at this point. It still gives Airspeed a small comfort zone.

France and Airspeed continued to show their different styles. Judge Klaus Wellens mentioned that the French 8-way team is very clean and easy to judge. Airspeed's new and more aggressive style sacrifices some of the quality that the Arizona world champions have been famous for in the past.

However, Klaus Wellens does not see any serious problems so far: "Judging Airspeed is still easy enough, the French team is just even easier due to their perfectly synchronized breaks, hands in and out at each break." Neither Airspeed nor France have given up any points due to infringements yet.

The same does not count for the Russian 8-way team, R.T. Evolution Pro. Russia lost two points in round four and three more points in round six. The loss in round four gave Italy the chance to take back a 1-point lead over the bronze medal winners of the last World Meet in Croatia.

After that round, the Russians must have become tired of defending their position against Italy rather than challenging the two leaders. Rounds five and six showed a completely different Russian 8-way team, and Italy was left in the dust at the end of the second 8-way day.

R.T. Evolution Pro was only a few points behind Airspeed and France in round five and won six points over Italy in that one jump. Round six was even more surprising when Russia actually completed the highest number of points in working time and was only stopped by the judges. The 19-pointer was reduced to the official score of 16 points, which was still three points more than Italy's Ex3mo, and Russia is now safe in third place. It will probably be Russia's goal to use the remaining four rounds to build more confidence and continue with the performance as in rounds five and six.

By the way, the most consistent team of the whole 8-way competition is in 5th position. Deguello from Texas has scored only 9- and 10-pointers throughout the whole meet so far, and there are no penalties on Deguello's scoresheet. The fourth round of the 4-way competition is now already completed.