Day 12 - 16 May 2018

The 12th day of the Pentathlon is up and running. The computers groan and smoulder. A few make some funny noises. And some of the hardware has given up the ghost. However, our associated crunchers aren’t suffering quite as much but you can tell that the last few days have been taking their toll on them. Some teams look shattered and yet others as if they’ve only just started. It’s not just the fitness that will be the deciding factor in the end but the will to persevere, the will to squeeze maximum performance out of the available hardware. The will to succeed.

Cross Country
The deciding phase has begun. The teams are lining up for tomorrow’s last day. Here, there’s not been a preliminary decision regarding any medals. Even SUSA (#1) could go empty handed. SG (#2) are putting the pressure on which they’ve got to do because TC (#3) are pushing even harder. The joker could be CNT (#4). Though the Czechs are losing ground, a massive bunker on the closing day would not be unrealistic. It remains to be seen if it will be substantial enough.

P3D at #5 are finding it hard to keep up the tempo and are now coming under pressure from [H] (#6) who are showing us their best side at this Pentathlon. As is customary, TAAT have crunched to #7 and are increasing their distance to AF (#8) by the hour. OCN have already collected twice as many points as RKN at #10 which should make it difficult to dislodge them from #9. LTT Forums continue to secure #11 whilst behind them #12 continues to be hard fought over. BOINC@MIXI are still holding on to it but MK (#13) have finally stepped on the gas and thus shaken off 2ch (#14), BOINC@AUSTRALIA (#15), BOINC.Italy (#16) and Crunching@EVGA (#17).

BOINC@Poland (#18) had to forfeit a place as well as USA (#19). AMD Users aren’t making any effort to get further ahead and so remain at #20 in the table. LITOMYSL (#21) have used the rough terrain to their advantage and managed to get past UK BOINC Team (#22). Almost marching in step are BOINC Confederation (#23) and BOINCstats (#24). Will they have to be apprehensive about Crystal Dream? The Dreamers have won a massive amount of places and thus caught Ukraine (#26) and SETIKAH (#27) red-handed. But so far the distances are minimal and each stumble could make quite a difference. BOINC@Pfalz (#28) and U.S. Army (#29) continue to run neck and neck and must prepare for a new fellow player as Das Kartell (#30) are on the move.

City Run
SUSA are slowly but surely expanding their lead. P3D (#2) are trying to limit the damage and can at least keep SG (#3) at a distance. [H] have made a giant leap to #4 and have surprised their rivals which the [H]ardens mainly suspected at the Marathon. It’s quite a controversial strategy which could in the end result in two forth places.

As a consequence, CNT have fallen back to #5. The deficit is already quite large. The same goes for TC (#6) who are moving along just behind the Czechs. It remains to be seen if both their end spurts can wipe out their arrears. TAAT have slipped down to #7 but at least still ahead of AF (#8). The Francophones should remain vigilant. LITOMYSL (#9) and OCN (#10) are currently engaged in a hot battle which could push both teams further forward.

BOINC.Italy (#11) and USA (#12) aren’t paying any attention to all these position changes. However, that will soon change. RKN (#13) and MK (#14) have woken up and are moving towards the front. SETIKAH (#15) and Chinese Dream (#16) were the last victims of Meisterkühler and together with Crunching@EVGA (#17), BOINC@AUSTRALIA (#18) and Ukraine (#19) might want to launch a self-help group. AMD Users at #20 have no need of that.

2ch have just taken up #21 followed by the teams on equal credits of Das Kartell and BOINC@Poland at #22. BOINCstats (#24) were able to benefit from a weak phase of Crystal Dream (#25) but the dream bubble isn’t about to burst just yet.

Marathon – Quick Update
The medals had practically been handed out already: SUSA ahead of P3D ahead of [H]. But Bronze at least is threatening to wobble. This is due to TC who continue to catch up and will be in striking distance right until the end. [H] are currently causing a stir at the City Run and could potentially risk their Bronze medal at the Marathon. There aren’t any changes for quite a stretch behind them. It’s only at #16 where there’s been some development. That’s where Chinese Dream pounced and with a hefty interim spurt relegated BOINC.Italy to #17. Even the fight for #19 is beginning to get interesting. 2ch (#19) had to look on as BOINC@MIXI (#20) overtook UK BOINC Team (#21) and have now set their course. At the end of the field, SETIKAH won #28 and so pushed back USA (#29).

Overall
Gone are the times when there were big leaps in the Overall Standings. The teams are preparing for the end battles which will bring about a bit more movement.

SUSA remain in the lead ahead of P3D (#2) and SG (#3). TC (#4), [H] (#5) and CNT (#6) continue to lie in wait and keep their focus on Bronze. And just behind, TAAT have currently managed to stand at #7 in all assessments, quite a feat. However, AF (#8) and OCN (#9) could still spoil their plan. The Top10 continues to be concluded by RKN.

MK (#11) should keep an eye on BOINC.Italy (#12) and also USA (#13) and BOINC@AUSTRALIA (#14) who remain visible on the radar. Crunching@EVGA are currently beginning to fortify #15 which is made easier as Chinese Dream (#16) had to forfeit some points at the City Run. This is bringing LTT Forums (#17) and AMD Users (#18) closer to the Chinese and gives both new hope. Even though 2ch (#19) and BOINC@Poland (#20) are packed tight, there’s currently not a lot of friction between the two. LITOMYSL (#21) might be able to coax a fire to burn.

Behind, MIXI (#23) had to let Ukraine (#22) pass just now, though on equal points. SETIKAH continue to defend at #24 ahead of UK BOINC Team (#25), BOINCstats (#26), Das Kartell (#27), Crystal Dream (#28) and BOINC Confederation (#29). The decision of who will cross the finish line at #30 in the end will be decided by U.S. Army and BOINC@Pfalz, whereby the Americans are currently enjoying a slight advantage.

- When will the teams release the bunkers at the Cross Country?
- What is still possible at the City Run?
- What’s to come in the Marathon?

As you can see, it remains exciting at the BOINC Pentathlon.

Jeeper

[Based on stats at 11:00 UTC]