posted Oct 28th, 2015 - The 31-pointer world record in 8-way has been one of the most discussed topics over the years. Every time when new sequences were drawn for an 8-way competition with the best teams in the world present, the 8-way experts have scanned the draw for a potential world record opportunity.

It was almost 20 years ago when the Golden Knights posted the 31-pointer at the world meet in Turkey 1997. Current member Matt Davidson was the alternate for the 1997 lineup, with team leader Scott Rhodes and FAI Judge Eric Heinsheimer.

Sean Sweeney was now in charge when the Golden Knights finally had another opportunity and used it successfully, even though the sequence did not look as promising compared to other earlier opportunities.

The 1997 sequence (16,Q,M,15) could still be drawn, as the same blocks and random formations are still in the dive pool. Many other promising sequences have been drawn since 1997, and the most recent opportunities came at the FAI World Cup 2015.

The French national 8-way team posted a 28-pointer in Round 1 (1,4,D) and followed up with 30 points in Round 2 (E,3,L,G) even though the sequence was less promising than the first one. The Golden Knights were not in Teuge and could not use the same opportunities.

The situation was almost the other way around a year earlier at the world meet in Prostejov 2014. The Golden Knights missed the opportunity in Round 4 (M,4,1) and the previous French 8-way lineup did not have the experience and potential to score a world record number.

FAI World Cup 2015

Rd. 1

Rd. 2

Rd. 3

Rd. 4

Rd. 5

Rd. 6

Rd. 7

Rd. 8

Rd. 9

Rd. 10

Total

Avg

Rank

8-way Open

1,4,D

E,3,L,G

C,16,N,9

13,J,11

Q,2,A,14

K,7,8

P,18,21

15,12,F

B,22,O,10

20,5,M

Total

Avg

1

Aerodyne Maubeuge

FR

28

30

23

18

18

17

18

26

19

18

215

21.5

France brought back the 8-way world champions of the earlier years for the 2015 lineup and came very close at the world cup in Teuge. The same lineup might have improved the 1997 world record in Prostejov 2014 with enough training.

The Golden Knights did not have much time to celebrate the new world record, as they had to get ready for the next rounds. However, team leader Sean Sweeney had a few minutes for the Sun Path Products NSL News before running off for Round 2.

The new world record was posted at the first meet for the new lineup, with former videographer Drew Starr now in the active lineup. He had a long break due to a back surgery and recovered in time for enough training and the USPA Nationals 2015. Congratulations to the Golden Knights.