posted Aug 7th, 2011 - The 8way competition for the gold medals between Aerodyne Maubeuge and Golden Knights was the most contested event. Round 10 was supposed to be the Grande Finale of the whole World Cup 2011. It turned out differently.

The weather did not cooperate any longer for the whole Saturday. The two missing 4way rounds were completed in the morning and before the weather situation began to deteriorate. It became quite obvious that Round 10 would not happen any longer when a big storm came in. In fact, the 8way teams just completed Round 9, literally by the second, as the Golden Knights had almost exactly 50 seconds of freefall time before separation.

The two top teams in 8way landed from Round 9 a few minutes before the storm hit the competition site with very strong winds and heavy rain. It was pouring when the judges eventually looked at the last two videos.

France had been one point ahead of the USA going into Round 9, which turned out to be the last round of the meet. The weather conditions were not only critical as of getting back to the ground safely. Germany and Russia still had enough freefall time and clear views on the video and TV screen. The video of Round 9 shows that It was different when Aerodyne Maubeuge and Golden Knights were in the air.

France still had enough freefall time for 50 seconds, plus a little bit extra time and the breakoff. However, the last French seconds were in the rain with no view on the video screen. The judges could still easily see all formations and maneuvers within the 50 seconds of working time.

It was worse when the Golden Knights had their turn. The US team had regular conditions for approx. 43 seconds, as the video shows, as well. From then on, it was more or less guessing whether formations and maneuvers were correct or not. However, the judges continued to press the button for the scoring formations as it has never been seen before in such conditions.

The judges usually insist on the requirement to see all grips clearly, whether it is after the exit and related to the video angle or in any other cases. Any doubt results in a point deduction, which means that the questionable formation or maneuver does not count for a scoring formation.

To make it fair, the rules include the option that a team can get a rejump if weather conditions were the reason for point deductions. The Golden Knights had another excellent Round 9, and there is no doubt that the last 7 seconds were performed just as well as the first 43 seconds. However, it would be stretched to say that all grips were clearly visible.

Jeremie Rollett, unhappy French national coach after Round 9 in 8way, made the point to the judges that it was not fair to score points for formations that are not clearly visible. He said that the rules require the judges to not push the scoring button in such a case. The team then has the option to apply for a rejump. The judges only answered that they were able to see everything clearly enough. The French delegation did not like this answer very much, and the NSL News audience has the opportunity to review the jump and make a call.

World Cup 8way Round 9
Can the last 7 Golden Knights seconds be judged correctly?	Yes No
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