posted Sep 12th, 2003 - It is a hard day for the French to realize that the big goal of winning the gold medals in both events is now out of reach. The 8-way event will have a different winner. And it will be the U.S. team or Russia. While these two teams continued with their exciting race and tied each other for the fourth time, France was one point slower and also lost two more points due to a penalty. It was a close call on an early key and left only 16 points for the scoreboard. One more round of 8-way will be held before the 4-way competition will resume.

Three more rounds are left for Airspeed to eliminate the three-point deficit. The team takes it easy. The veterans of the team know that there is no reason for any move. The U.S. team will simply continue what they have done so far. Mark Kirkby, who has been jumping with a broken nose since round three, explains: "It has been a downhill race from the first round. No strategies. We are competing with no direct opponent and can just do the best we can in each jump." Another Airspeed veteran and multiple world champion, Craig Girard, confirms: "It is just go like hell all the way, and that's it."