posted Sep 7th, 2003 - The games have started. May the best team win. And it is time for the 8-way fans, first of all. The poll at the NSL World Meet Forum sees Arizona Airspeed as the big winner of the event, no chances for Russia or France. We will take a closer look at the 8-way situation later today. Let's first see what the first round of the meet has done to the three top teams.

It took a while until the teams were in the air. The first take-off was actually scheduled for 7:30 a.m. However, the first round was completed and judged at 9:45 a.m. The three top teams all showed flawless performances. There was no penalty call by any of the judges for the whole round one for France, Russia and the U.S.A. All three teams also went with the same speed and precision. The only reason for France to move two points ahead of Russia and the U.S. team was the fact that they were much faster on the first page. In fact, the French team already completed the second Donut Flake of the first block out the door when Russia and Airspeed had just built the first Donut Flake.

All three teams apparently used the opening round to show a clean performance to the judges with good communication and significant holding time of the formations. This might have to change already quite early in the 8-way meet. If France continues to extend the early lead by better exits and faster first pages, then Russia and U.S.A. would have to pick up the pace to make up for the slower start. It will be very interesting to see what strategy both teams will use after France moved already two points ahead after the first round. To be continued.