posted Oct 8th, 2024 - The 8-way competition had one of its major topics going for a while. The U.S. national team GKXP8 have been chasing the record numbers of the Golden Knights in the last few years, and they now succeeded with perfect timing. The 33-pointer by the U.S. Army's lineup in Dubai 2015 has been the standing record number, and it was matched once by the 2018 lineup of the Golden Knights in Australia 2018.

The Golden Knights posted the two 33-pointers for two very different sequences. The 2015 lineup had to master five random formations (F,L,B,G,P), while the 2018 lineup had three blocks (4,1,3) in their sequence. It could not be any more different. The sequence in Round 9 at Crystal Coast is an interesting combination (3,M,N,4) and still had the same potential for a new record number.

It turned out that GKXP8 were more than ready this time and left the previous 33-pointers in the dust with a new 37-point world record for a single round. GKXP are now standing at a 24.0 average after Round 9, which is a new record number, as well. They would be the first 8-way team finishing on the 24-average level. The highest average in 8-way history is the 23.9 that the 2016 lineup posted in Ottawa 2016. GKXP8 now need 24 points in Round 10 to maintain the 24-average number, and it is not an easy task, despite the momentum that the team has after the incredible 37-pointer world record in Round 9.

FAI Outdoor World Championship 2024			1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8		9		10		11		Total	Avg
Rank	8-way Open		14,G,13		J,C,17,12		D,A,21,P		18,B,H,F		E,L,O,8		22,2,K		6,7,16		9,20,15		3,M,N,4		5,1,10		19,11,Q		Total	Avg
1	GKXP8	US	19	-1	21	-1	22		26		21	-1	21	-1	25		24		37		-		-		216	24.0
2	Qatar Falcons	QA	16		18		19		21		17		16	-1	20		19		25	-2	-		-		171	19.0
3	Operation Adler	DE	14		14		11	-2	13	-1	13		14		15		14		20	-2	-		-		128	14.2
4	Netunos	BR	10		8		9		8		5	-3	9		12		9	-1	12	-1	-		-		82	9.1
5	Ap8thy	UK	11		6	-1	8		11		6	-1	6	-1	10	-1	8	-1	14		-		-		80	8.9

---

NSL TV Unfiltered: Round 9 in 8-way Open at Crystal Coast

---

Three Golden Knights of 2015 and 2016 helped to eliminate their own 33-pointer world record of 2015: Matt Davidson, Jeshua Stahler and Andrew Starr. They will now try in Round 10 to increase the highest average in history that they posted together in 2016. GKXP8 alternate Jennifer Davidson had matched the 33-pointer of 2018 as a full member, together with her husband Matt.

Matt Davidson has just taken away the world record for a single round from his wife, and he will try to follow up with the highest average.

Jennifer Davidson won FAI gold medals in 4-way Women for the Golden Knights in 2016, and she won her first 8-way gold in Australia 2018. Now she will add a new 4-way Women gold medal with XPG4, and she will also be on the 8-way podium as the alternate for the U.S. 8-way team.

The excitement level is just as high as before Round 9 until the Round 10 scores will be posted in 8-way. GKXP8 have lost four points in earlier rounds due to penalties, which they might need for the new record average. The 8-way competition will be completed today, and the first world record has already fallen.

---

---

GKXP8 with Round 9 in 8-way Open at Crystal Coast

---