posted Sep 7th, 2003 - The defending U.S. champion Synchronicity lost even more ground in a round where the Norgie Girls extended their lead to three points over V-Max. It was an excellent performance by the Norgies. However, they were very fortunate when the judges did not call a grip switch and questionable break after the exit. It was a close call since the video was running three times over the judges' screens. And they finally accepted the transition. It gave Norway the score the team deserved for a great jump. Now it will be up to V-Max to take action if the British team does not want to fall further behind and win the gold medal. There is a chance coming up with the fast sequence of round six.

The situation becomes increasingly difficult for the U.S. team, which is now six points behind Norway and only in fourth position. Some glitches stopped the team's score at 14 points. The talented French 4-way team took the chance and stole the third place with a score of 15 points. France was recruited this year by national coach Jerome David and has made 300 training jumps. We might hear more of this team in the future. However, Eliana Rodriguez, 2001 gold medal winner with the U.S. team and now tail for Airspeed's 8-way team, is still hopeful: "We were five points behind in Spain in 2001 and never had the lead until the very last round. It does not have to be over yet." Coach Joey Jones will remember this, as well, and encourage Synchronicity to move on and catch up.