posted Oct 25th, 2005 - The competition in the 4-way Women category has offered the tight competition as it was hoped for. It seemed like it would be the expected 2-way race between Perris Synchronicity and France LaPalisse/Maubeuge throughout the first day of 4-way competition on Monday. These two teams were tied after three rounds.

However, the Russian Lady Birds had already caught the NSL News attention earlier after they had moved slowly and quietly closer to the top level of the all-female 4-way competition in the world. The Russian team was only three points behind USA and France at the end of the first day, and UK team Airkix was just another point behind.

The situation could have been different by then. France lost a total of three points on the first day, two points in round one and one more point in round three, while Perris Synchronicity had a clean day. France tried to get the point back by having it re-judged, but the judges did not change the score. France and USA were still tied at the end of the day.

The second day did not turn out much better for the French team. In fact, it got even worse. The female team from LaPalisse/Maubeuge had problems with the sub-terminal Block 8 (Canadian T - Canadian T) in round four, probably caused by having to switch from the French right-hand door pattern to the Twinotter at the World Cup. Perris Synchronicity took the lead by one point on Tuesday morning.

Round five ended up in a small disaster for the French team. The judges saw three infringements, and the 18-pointer was reduced to the official score of 15 points. The US team added four points to the lead. That was the opportunity the Russian Lady Birds had been waiting for. The Lady Birds completed 18 points in time, as well, and they also appeared on the scoreboard. Synchronicity was now five points ahead, and France and Russia were tied in second place.

The French team did not get any breaks, the path was still downhill. Round six brought another point deduction, and the US team added two more points to the lead over France, while the Ladybirds claimed the second place by one point after round six. It was the first time in the history of the competition between France and Russia in the 4-way Women event that Russia was ahead of the French team.

It is also a fact that the Lady Birds continue with a consistent progression. They are not really a serious threat for the US team in first place yet. However, the Russian progression could continue for another year, and then the Lady Birds might become even more threatening for Synchronicity.

There are four more rounds to come, and it can be expected that France will recover. The US team is probably already safe in first place, while the competition for the silver medals is wide open. Both Russia and France have to keep their eyes on the teams behind them, as well. UK's Airkix and Fastrax Select keep pushing each other upward. Airkix tied Synchronicity's highscore in round six and lost a few points due to nj's and infringements. The UK team surely has the potential to move even closer to the medal positions.

The most improved team can be found in 6th position. Ukraine's Alfa-Fox finished in last place at the World Meet in Croatia 2004 with a 5.4 average, again in last place at the Malevsky Cup 2005 with a 7.0 average. This time, Alfa Fox will most likely leave one team behind. Spain does not seem to be able to keep up with the Ukrainian team, even not with a 9.7 average after six rounds. Alfa-Fox has moved up into the 2-digit scores and currently stands at a 10.8 average.

The NSL News will follow up with 4-way Open information. The schedule for Wednesday has once again the 8-way competition in the morning, while the 4-way teams will begin their round seven around noon. The page with the previous rounds will be updated next. Stay tuned.