Day 4 - 08 May 2018

Whilst starting into the fourth day of the contest, our teams received glad tidings that the Sprint would commence in less than 3 days. The short notice period doesn’t give the teams much time to think and the conditions at the project Rosetta will contribute to allowing for fascinating tactical variations. It’s not possible to determine how the announcement of the 3rd discipline will impact on the races already underway. At least, not yet.

Swimming
P3D are trying to use the water to convert Silver into Gold. They could catch up on their margin to SUSA at the top could but it will be demanding. On the other hand, the fight for Bronze is in full swing. The last place on the podium is being defended rather viciously and noisily by the snappy beak of AF’s rooster. China (#4), [H] (#5) and SG (#6) are showing considerable respect and keep well away. SG are slowly managing to reduce the distance to [H] but must do more if they are aiming for precious metal.

Not unsurprisingly, OCN have had to break it off which isn’t something to be ashamed of. They have at least managed to distance themselves further from their pursuers. They are being led by CNT (#8), RKN (#9) and BOINC@Poland (#10). TAAT (#11) are fighting tooth and nail to reduce the distance to the Poles but they are not quite succeeding in closing the gap. BOINC@AUSTRALIA (#12) and BOINC.Italy (#13) have managed to hold on to their ranks. Nevertheless, Meisterkühler (#14) put pressure on the Italians once they had pushed Chinese Dream down to #15.

A considerable interim spurt has catapulted Crunching@EVGA to #16 with the result that USA now find themselves at #17. However, the margin is still very small so that a counterattack could be successful at any time. Only at #22 do we then notice a change in the positions. AMD Users have swum past SETIKAH (#23) and Das Kartell (#24) to #22. BOINC@MIXI (#26) have shown that a good interim spurt brings results by relegating UK BOINC Team to #27.

Marathon
Now this race has moved to the long edge, it has become a lot quieter. The positions have been taken and the time has come to try and estimate what is still possible and how large the risk is going to be when resources need to be redeployed. Using the correct strategy here will be the cause of many more position changes. SUSA are succeeding well in defending their position at the top. It won’t be easy for the green hunter of P3D (#2) to bring the American eagle out of the sky. The fight for Bronze is contested once again by [H] (#3), SG (#4) and Team China (#5). The Teutones are currently weakening, allowing the Chinese to catch up strongly.

The fight for #5 is also a three-way skirmish. TAAT are currently holding the best cards in this fight but OCN (#6) and especially CNT (#7) are catching up. AF have become the victim of the breach by the Czechs. Only at #9 and not looking as if there is any more in it. A lot of resources are tied up at Swimming, the margin already quite noticeable and now MK (#10) are closing in.

They’ve taken notice of each other in the ranks behind but there’s not much evidence of an attack. It’s at the other end of the field where we find the action. 2ch have crunched themselves to rank 22, straight past LITOMYSL (#23) and BOINCstats (#24).
Unimpressed, Crystal Dream seem to drift along in a dream at #25. However, it would be better not to dream too much as the margin to LTT Forums (#26) isn’t quite so substantial. The same applies to U.S. Army (#27) and SETIKAH (#28). BOINC@Pfalz (#29), BOINC@Poland (#30) and BOINC Confederation (#31) are completing the picture.

Overall
The contests for Bronze especially are having a massive impact on the Overall Standings. The rankings are constantly on the move which isn’t going to change any time soon. But let’s first look at what hasn’t changed: SUSA ahead of P3D. Even [H] are able to hang on to Bronze but behind, Team China (#4) succeeded in overtaking the colourful rooster of AF (#5) and are giving it their all to close the gap to the top. We discover SG (#6) just one point behind AF and three points behind TC. Not really a good position for this traditional team in blue-yellow colours but not all is lost yet.

OCN retain #7 but will have noticed that CNT (#8) have picked up speed and set the course. TAAT (#9) have had to let the Czechs pass and will now be casting an eye over RKN (#10) and MK (#11). Rank 12 has attracted altogether 5 Teams so that the sequence can be completely different with every hour. Currently both on the same points are BOINC.Italy and Chinese Dream at #12, followed by USA (#14) and two further teams on equal points: Teams BOINC@AUSTRALIA and Crunching@EVGA at #15.

Ukraine (#17) and BOINC@Poland (#18) are still keeping each other busy and are not paying any attention to AMD Users (#19). Das Kartell and BOINCstats are sharing #20 at the moment and profit from a weak phase by LITOMYSL (#22). LTT Forums (#23) have gained a little ground but it remains to be seen if that will be enough to make further progress. Especially UK BOINC Team (#24) and BOINC@MIXI (#25) should not be disregarded. The same goes for 2ch who at #26 aren’t persuading us that they are fulfilling their potential. The field is rounded off by SETIKAH@KOREA (#27), Crystal Dream (#28), U.S. Army & BOINC@Pfalz (#29) and BOINC Confederation (#31).

Three-way contests over three-way contests. And of course 3 questions:
- Will CNT advance further in the Overall Standings?
- Will SG manage to cut loose from their undeserving Rank 6?
- How good are the sharpshooters of P3D?

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

Jeeper

[Based on stats at 12:00 UTC]