Day 8 - 12 May 2018

It has been accomplished. The first individual medals have been distributed. However, our heroes from Swimming won’t have much time for celebrations. Out of the pool and onwards it goes. Tomorrow, the terrain will be rocky with the start of the Cross Country and then, the day after tomorrow, we begin the City Run. Also, don’t forget, there’s the decision at the Sprint tomorrow.

Swimming
SUSA win Gold and did not get torched in the end. Although P3D tried indeed everything, they were unable to get the better of the concentrated might of the Americans and thus burst their dream of victory. However, the Green Planet can be content with Silver. Team China managed to secure #3 with an end spurt and thus Bronze and thereby triumphed over AF in the final phase. Congratulations to all medal winners.

AF have achieved their best individual ranking since 2015. It might be a huge disappointment to them but nevertheless, it constitutes a great achievement. They won’t really be satisfied at SG. Rank 5 was the result and at that with a considerable deficit which will have caused a few grumbling stomachs. [H] crossed the finish line at Rank 6 and at the same time raked in the best standing since 2015 and as a consequence kept TAAT behind them at #7. This, by the way, was the best individual ranking for TAAT since 2010.

OCN claimed #8 and in the end, were not caught unawares by CNT (#9). However, BOINC@Poland (#11) did get a surprise as they were caught out by RKN (#10). BOINC@AUSTRALIA crossed the finish line at #12 with an easy crawl followed by Meisterkühler at #13. We then witnessed a real photo finish behind. Only 667 credits decided in favour of BOINC.Italy who thus claimed #14 and managed to leave Crunching@EVGA (#15) behind them. Just as well that the race ended when it did.

At their premiere, Chinese Dream swam over the finish line at #16 and kept USA #17 and LTT Forums (#18) behind them. There was a right old skirmish in the water over #19. LITOMYSL managed to triumph in the end, followed by Ukraine (#20), BOINCstats (#21) and AMD Users (#22). Das Kartell secured #23 as a result of SETIKAH (#24) not having enough power for the end spurt.

2ch touched at #25 ahead of BOINC@MIXI (#26) and BOINC Confederation (#27). That team had to tremble at the end as Crystal Dream (#28) came threateningly close. However, the victim of Crystal Dream’s end spurt were UK BOINC Team (#29) where the British lacked power to turn the tide. Rank 30 went to BOINC@Pfalz ahead of U.S. Army (#31) and SETI.Bitola (#32).

Sprint
The pattern is the same, a quick start and then monitoring the advantage. That’s how SUSA operate this year and very successfully at that. P3D (#2) are toiling away but are unable to keep up. [H] (#3), SG (#4) and TC (#5) don’t grant any favours in their fight for Bronze and it remains completely open who might in the end come out on top.

At #6 there is a fight between CNT and TAAT (#7), here too, the standings could potentially change with the start of every new hour. Fantastic progress is made by USA at #8 who should remain vigilant as OCN (#9) are lying in wait. Behind, AF (#10) and RKN (#11) are keeping each other busy and forgetting to check on their surroundings. At first glance it’s not so serious as LTT Forums (#12), BOINC.Italy (#13) and Chinese Dream (#14) are also engaged with each other.

Just as they did at the Marathon, BOINC@AUSTRALIA (#15) are slowly gaining ground at the Sprint and thus increase the distance to MK (#16). Behind, margins are really tight. Only around 75k separate Crunching@EVGA (#17), UK BOINC Team (#18), 2ch (#19), AMD Users (#20), BOINC@Poland (#21) and SETIKAH (#22). Changes here cannot be prevented.

Marathon
On the long track, SUSA continue to be attracted by the glitter of gold. Although P3D continue to make up ground, it won’t be enough. [H] are steadfastly holding on to #3 and continue to keep TC (#4) at a distance. SG (#5) are in acute danger of losing touch with the Chinese and must react if they want to bring in Rank 4.

In the end, three teams will fight it out over #6. TAAT (#6), OCN (#7) and CNT (#8) are packed together at approximately the same pace and keep a close eye on each other. The motto for AF (#9), MK (#10) and RKN (#11) appears to be to hold position. However, that won’t be quite so easy as AMD Users have kicked into gear and moved up to #12 and at the same time simply left USA (#13) standing.

Nothing new about BOINC.Italy (#14) and Crunching@EVGA (#15) fighting over #14 but now BOINC@AUSTRALIA (#16) mean business and are coming up on the outside lane. Whilst Chinese Dream (#17) are showing signs of life, Ukraine (#18) will begin to get nervous. And the reason for that is UK BOINC Team (#19) and 2ch (#20). Both teams are currently going full steam ahead.

Das Kartell (#21) are unable to keep pace with the Japanese and should quickly risk a glance to the rear as BOINC@MIXI (#22) are slowly creeping up. LITOMYSL are found at #23, followed by BOINCstats (#24), LTT Forums (#25), Crystal Dream (#26), BOINC@Poland (#27), U.S. Army (#28), SETIKAH (#29), BOINC@Pfalz (#30) and BOINC Confederation (#31).

Overall
SUSA’s chances for Overall Victory are increasing day by day. P3D (#2) must come up with a solution or hope for some American recklessness. Rank 3 will surely be contested by [H] (#3) and TC (#4). However, SG (#5) cannot yet be dismissed as they could be back in the mix with a good result in the Cross Country.

Margins continue to be extremely tight between ranks 6 to 9. TAAT (#6) are a model of consistency and don’t make it easy for AF (#7), CNT (#8) und OCN (#9). On the other hand, RKN have entrenched themselves at #10. Behind, USA (#11) and MK (#12) don’t give each other an inch. Even so, BOINC.Italy (#13) and BOINC@AUSTRALIA (#14) are still in a position to have a say in the matter.

Rank 15 will be within the grasp of both Chinese Dream (#16) and Crunching@EVGA (#15) who are both currently on equal points. Behind, LTT Forums (#17) profit from their strong performance at the Sprint and the weakness in that race of BOINC@Poland (#19). AMD Users have prepared the ground for #18 at the Marathon but they are not so strong at the other disciplines. If that were to continue, it could be a chance for Ukraine (#20), UK BOINC Team (#21) and 2ch (#22).

Behind then follow LITOMYSL (#23), BOINCstats (#24), Das Kartell (#25), BOINC@MIXI (#26) and SETIKAH (#27) packed tight. Crystal Dream are busy collecting points and stand at #28 ahead of BOINC Confederation (#29), U.S. Army (#30), BOINC@Pfalz (#31) and SETI.Bitola (#32).

- Who will get the best start at the Cross Country?
- Can P3D still attack SUSA at the Sprint?
- Can TAAT hold on to Rank 6 in the Overall Standings?

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

Jeeper

[Based on stats at 15:00 UTC]