posted Apr 18th, 2012 - The NSL News reported on 15 April 2012 how the currently two best 8way teams in the world, Aerodyne Maubeuge from France and Golden Knights, use 4way training and competition to make their 8way lineups become better and stronger. France still seems to have the upper hand with a view from the 4way angle. The NSL News now goes back to the real 8way competition and the view from the other side.

The consistent progression of the Golden Knights in the last three years was documented by the NSL News on 10 December 2011. Former team captain Brian "BK" Krause had launched the new 8way project of the US Army in 2009 and has recorded higher meet averages (18.9 - 19.1 - 19.6 - 19.9 - 20.7 - 21.2 - 21.9) at each single 8way competition so far.

The most recent record average of 21.9 was posted at the Paraclete XP Outdoor Championship 2012 in March where the Russian Sky Panthers Barkli gave the Golden Knights a good competition and scored higher (19.1 - 18.5) than at the World Meet 2010 in Menzelinsk, as well. The Golden Knights had won the silver medals and Russia the bronze medals in 2010..

Paraclete Outdoor 2012		Rd. 1	Rd. 2	Rd. 3	Rd. 4	Rd. 5	Rd. 6	Rd. 7	Rd. 8	Rd. 9	Rd. 10	Total	Avg
Rank	AAA Class	8,7,E	O,4,14	Q,H,18,1	D,L,N,B,13	21,20,5	17,A,19	10,15,11	P,K,22,F	16,J,3	6,M,9	Total	Avg
1	Golden Knights	18	24	23(-2)	21(-2)	17	18	23	26	29(-2)	20	219	21.9
2	Sky Panthers Barkli	15	21	20(-1)	21(-2)	17	16	19	19(-3)	29(-1)	14(-2)	191	19.1
3	Dubai Assar 8	6	8	10	5(-2)	6(-1)	7	6(-1)	6(-2)	9(-1)	10(-1)	73	7.3

The strongest opponent in 8way is still France, which was the reason for the latest research from the 4way angle. The NSL News had reported after the Paraclete XP Indoor Championships 2012 that the Golden Knights Black team has become much stronger in 4way and that this is a part of the 8way plan. The NSL News then followed up with the recent article after the French 4way performances of Aerodyne Aerokart and Aerokart Maubeuge at the World Challenge 2012.

The NSL News took a closer look at the long 8way history between France and the US teams since 1997. The World Meet 1997 in Turkey was the last time that the Golden Knights represented the USA in 8way before Menzelinsk 2010 and finished with the highest meet average in history (22.4) and the highest score for a single round (31). Both records are still standing and have been a target for the best 8way teams in the world for years.

The 21.9 average of the Golden Knights at the Paraclete XP Outdoor Championship was short of the 1997 average, as was the highest score for a single round, the 29-pointer in Round 9. However, only the French 8way team has ever come closer to the standing world record numbers of 1997. France posted a 22.2 average at the USPA Nationals 2008, including a 30-pointer in Round 8.

The last direct competition between France and USA took place at the World Cup 2011 and saw both teams pretty much in a deadlock. France has dropped 8way training ever since and focused on the 4way event where the new lineup had to catch up with the performance level of NMP-PCH Hayabusa and Arizona Airspeed.

The Golden Knights have used the French break from 8way to increase the distance. The current numbers show France still with the 20.6 average of the World Cup 2011 in Germany and the Golden Knights at 21.9 after the Paraclete XP Outdoor Championship 2012. The 21.9 average fits perfectly into the flawless progression chart of the Golden Knights between 2009 and 2012.

Now it is time for France to catch up. The French 4way numbers indicate that the 8way lineup will be able to get to the scoring level of the Golden Knights if the team can train enough. The French 4way team has moved up to the top level, and French national manager Jeremie Rollett has now "ordered" 8way training. Coach Erwan Pouliquen is back in business after a long break, while 4way coach Marin Ferre continues to work with the Aerodyne Deep Blue Defenders when the 8way team is in training.