posted Jul 26th, 2008 - The new meet weekend is already in full swing, and four rounds have been completed at the Nuggets Cup in Leutkirch, Germany. The German national 4-way team, FSC Eisenach, dominates the 4-way competition so far, although the Swiss national 4-way team Viva has been keeping up well after Round 1.

In fact, the Swiss 4-way lineup, including Blue Magic world champion of 1983, Marcel Aeby, lost only Round 1 to the German team, which had a perfect start into the competition. Both teams will meet each other again at the World Meet 2008 in a few weeks.

It is an interesting situation. The German 4-way team decided to exit from the Twinotter in Leutkirch, even though they trained from the Pilatus Porter prior to the meet and will face the right-hand door challenge again in France. Switzerland's team Viva uses the Pilatus Porter.

FSC Eisenach members explained that the situation became tricky when the German EADS 8-way team decided to compete at the Nuggets Cup, as well. The logistics on site made it very difficult to have EADS 8-way and FSC Eisenach both jump from the Pilatus Porter. There were too many teams using the Porter and overlapping agendas. Eventually, the 4-way team decided to jump from the Twinotter.

The German 8-way team is posting very impressive scores considering the fact that the team did not train very much and used several alternates this year. EADS was standing at a 15.5 average after four rounds and added an 18- or 19-pointer in Round 5. The 4-way lineup is handling the challenging 4-way and 8-way schedule very well. However, the Swiss national 4-way team Viva has to deal with the more difficult exits from the Pilatus Porter and is gaining momentum.

The Austrian national team Monkey Circus is also jumping from the Pilatus Porter and has been posting the highest scores of the team's long career on Saturday. Recovering alternate Ewald Salcher is on site to cheer for his team. Monkey Circus is in 4th place after four rounds and is racing with X-Ray Remscheid.

Chicas, the German national team in the female category is also posting the highest average in the team career so far.

However, a very young local team from Leutkirch, Incognito, with all members in the 20's, has been making the Chicas' life difficult throughout the first three rounds. The Chicas 4-way veterans got some room to breathe after a bad Round 4 for the youngsters.

The competition in the A Class is just as exciting at the Nuggets Cup. PSV Fire from Berlin and Pacmen are tied in first place after four rounds.

The third team Aeroflott would be in the race for the first place too if Round 2 had gone better.

Several teams still completed Round 5 in Leutkirch at a very late call after a rainstorm moved through the area. The missing scores will be added tomorrow.