To start like the others, I'm not sure how I felt about this course. It was unfortunate that so many people slipped on Cannon Ball Drop because they removed the Fly Wheels from Qualifying in attempts to make the front half easier, yet it was ironic, too, because more people probably fell on the Cannon Ball Drop than the Fly Wheels. I thought they would get rid of the Ring Turn because it looked fairly taxing and complicating if you didn't have a clear plan of attack. It was easy to picture people struggling and hanging on too long, but I guess they don't want to change it too drastically. I think L.A. had the biggest change-up with the Sky Hooks being replaced. I still feel like Dallas' Nail Clipper was the hardest 8th obstacle because while the Crazy Clock proved to be a problem, if you could do it like Niemitalo or Graff it wasn't as long or taxing (looking) as the Nail Clipper, and the Giant Cubes did have the opportunity to use your feet. However, I think the Stair Hopper may have been the most difficult 9th obstacle. The Baton Pass may have been more time consuming and required precision, but the Stair Hopper seemed a touch more finicky. As we saw, two of the best ninjas slipped up because of it. If Drew had been on the Baton Pass, even if he missed an initial placement, he had strength to spare so he could just try again without falling. The Stair Hopper demands perfect precision with no redo option. If we look at the number of finishers as well as the fastest time for each city, that is also an indication of the difficulty level variances. First, L.A.: 9 finishers, the most so far. Fastest time was Sean Bryan with 6:09. Dallas: 5 finishers. Fastest Time was Daniel Gil with 3:54. Miami: 3 Finishers. Fastest Time Kenny Niemitalo with 7:41. If Drew had finished, I would have placed his time closer to the 6 minute mark, but unfortunately we cannot officially count him since he did not finish. So, you could argue that L.A. had the easiest course because there were more finishers. However, I could also argue that L.A. may have just had some better people. The 9 finishers in L.A. could have completed Dallas or Miami's courses as well, and, had they competed in those cities, would have added to the total finals count. So, we could look at L.A. both ways overall. Now, Dallas had 5 finishers, but 2 of them were 19 year old rookies. I don't mean in any way, shape, or form to demean their fantastic accomplishments, but the Dallas Rookies may be support against the course's difficulty level. L.A. only had 1 rookie and 8 all-star vets including one the last season's "last man standing." Miami had no rookies and only 3 finishers, plus tripped up Drew and Jessie which could prove it was the most difficult of the 3 cities we have seen so far. The times are also to be looked at. Sean completed in about 6 minutes, Kenny in about 7 1/2 minutes, and Daniel in a little less than 4. Daniel was close to completing the Dallas stage in half the time of Kenny. Now, Gil is known for speed whereas neither Bryan nor Niemitalo are. This is where I would have compared Gil to Drechsel. I assume Drew, as I said before, would have landed around the 6 minute mark. I believe he had passed the 4 something mark when he started the Stair Hopper, so he was already passed Gil's finishing time. Both are speedsters, so this could be support for Miami being more difficult because it takes longer, and the same amount of time is probably spent hanging, so one would be more fatigued from Miami than Dallas. Personally, I think it's between L.A. and Miami. A lot of people did fall on Cannon Ball Drop, but that could the people, not the course. Obviously, I think all of them are difficult and challenging, and hitting the buzzer is no easy feat. However, for people on this show, I do expect more from them than I do of myself. I probably couldn't do anything on that show, so I compare the difficult levels based on what I've seen people do before on ANW as well as expectations from Vegas and looking ahead, and what even the greats seem to struggle or fail on. Like I said, Drew and Jessie both slipped up on the Stair Hopper, so that could mean it is a harder obstacle than what we saw in L.A. and Dallas. Also, the Stair Hopper was in a previous city a couple years ago and tripped up just as many great ninjas like Geoff Britten and Jamie Rahn. It's food for thought.
Now onto the athletes. Congratulations to Kenny, Ryan, and Brett. Competing in the same city as Drew Drechsel and actually coming out on top is something pretty incredible. I think it was very unfair and unfortunate that Brett Sims had to be skipped, especially since there were only 3 finishers, and they definitely could have showed him. I mean, they showed all 5 in Dallas, so what makes Sims unworthy of being shown? I assume it's because his "story" was already shared when Stratis ran, but they don't always need to pair a story with every runner. They don't with the best who run at the end. Think about it, Rayl in Qualifying didn't have one, Drew didn't have one, Joe didn't have one, Sean and Najee I don't think had one, either, and Daniel in Finals didn't have one. I know Sims may not be any of those guys, but he finished and did what 27 others couldn't. Shouldn't be receive more recognition? I know I talk about this all the time, but it really bugs me. I also think Brett Sims in particular has been doing better and getting stronger. I remember seeing him a few years ago, and he had never been to Vegas or something after numerous seasons of competing. Now, he was 1 of 3 to finish a City Finals course, and yet he gets nothing. He's going to Vegas, and the Beard Battle is continuing, but still, I think it kind of sucks. Speaking of Beard Battles, I actually thought they might skip Ryan. Last year, every run was skipped for him. Even Coolridge got more screen time than him last year. So, I'm glad he is having a better season this year. Also, my bet is that Stratis will go farther, and Sims will shave.
Now, I might sound a little hypocritical, again, but I do admire what Kenny did. His story about kidney donors is very closely linked to ANW which I think is important for bios. Most of them are about losing loved ones, battling illnesses, recovering from illnesses, or honorary runs for special people. While I think that is all fine, they are very personal things. Inspiration comes from sharing your struggles, and I realize for some of these people, they are impacting someone's life more greatly than I'll ever know or relate to. ANW is also about fighting and healing and motivation and comebacks, and we definitely see a great deal of that. Kenny is a little different because ANW came before the life changing event. He didn't compete on ANW because of something. Rather, because of ANW something happened. I think that is one of the best ANW stories they should use. It's like the poster story for bios and back stories. It's also great because Kenny actually finished, and the victory just adds to the cause. They also ran the story while he was on the course and then cut back to him mid run, which is nice because the back half is more exciting in the Finals than the front which we've already seen and know he can do.
Now, as far as Drew and Jessie go. We all know they both had strength for days when they reached the Stair Hopper. Both were so relaxed and had done the first 8 obstacles with perfect ease. One slid forward and one slid back, but, unfortunately, both got wet. We also know they would have climbed the Spider Trap in a nano second and could have easily been the 4th and 5th finishers. However, we can't ignore the fact that they did fall. It doesn't, honestly, change their potential, let's call it, in Vegas. Neither of them are any less amazing than they were before, and they still have the best shot in Vegas over anyone else. Also, as both of them mentioned to Kristine, they knew they had fuel left in the tank, and they're returning to Vegas which is the most important thing. It definitely stung for both of them to walk away wet, but hopefully they stay dry in Vegas. Both of them are still some of the absolute best ninjas the world as to offer, and both of them are still on my top list. If Drew does win it all this year, he won't have a perfect record, though. Hopefully, there are no glitches in Vegas because last night still proved that they can mess up, and in Mt. Midoriyama, it will be over. It's really hard to say with these two. Both were a total shock last year in their early exits. Both are phenomenal, and people expect a lot out of them. There are only two outcomes: they fall or they win it all. Drew has not won it all, yet, so while we think it is crazy for him to drop, it's more likely than him hitting 4 buzzers, as mean and pessimistic as that sounds. I love Drew, one of my favorites, makes this show what it is. I'm just stating the facts. It's like this with everyone, to be fair. Plus, we don't know, yet, how they have switched up Mt. Midoriyama. They may have made it harder, they may have made it easier, and like we saw last night, any obstacle at any point could mess people up. You only get one shot, and it could be something never before seen. For someone like Drew, we just don't know. Obviously, I hope he does well. If he wins it all, great. I really hope it's either him or Joe. If they keep the Wing Nuts I would love to see Jessie on them, too.
Looking at the list, I think R.J. Roman is the only rookie, correct me if I'm wrong, please. Nick Patel and Reko Rivera are familiar names to me. Not faces because they probably get skipped left and right, but the names sound right. Cothran, Craver, and Suchoki are some good ol' vets. Like I said last week, for the Finals I tend to have the most to say about the finishers and/or the big names. The people who rounded out the 15, I don't mean to diss or anything, I just don't have too much to say. Personally and honestly, I don't think most of them will go too far in Vegas. If you tank out in the city finals, you have even less of a chance taking on Stages 2-4, especially because it's all in one night. I do believe some of these guys will have a good season this year, but for now, it's hard to say, and I just don't have any predictions or thoughts, yet.
So, overall, Miami probably had the biggest shocks. I was surprised in L.A. by 9 finishers, but the list this week is even more shocking. I can't wait for next week. Tyler Yamauchi, Lorin Ball, Travis Rosen, and of course, Isaac Caldiero. Every eye will be on him next week and definitely if he returns to Vegas. I expect him to finish, but we'll see...
Comment which city you think has been the most challenging so far and who you're most excited to see from the cities coming up.
Now onto the athletes. Congratulations to Kenny, Ryan, and Brett. Competing in the same city as Drew Drechsel and actually coming out on top is something pretty incredible. I think it was very unfair and unfortunate that Brett Sims had to be skipped, especially since there were only 3 finishers, and they definitely could have showed him. I mean, they showed all 5 in Dallas, so what makes Sims unworthy of being shown? I assume it's because his "story" was already shared when Stratis ran, but they don't always need to pair a story with every runner. They don't with the best who run at the end. Think about it, Rayl in Qualifying didn't have one, Drew didn't have one, Joe didn't have one, Sean and Najee I don't think had one, either, and Daniel in Finals didn't have one. I know Sims may not be any of those guys, but he finished and did what 27 others couldn't. Shouldn't be receive more recognition? I know I talk about this all the time, but it really bugs me. I also think Brett Sims in particular has been doing better and getting stronger. I remember seeing him a few years ago, and he had never been to Vegas or something after numerous seasons of competing. Now, he was 1 of 3 to finish a City Finals course, and yet he gets nothing. He's going to Vegas, and the Beard Battle is continuing, but still, I think it kind of sucks. Speaking of Beard Battles, I actually thought they might skip Ryan. Last year, every run was skipped for him. Even Coolridge got more screen time than him last year. So, I'm glad he is having a better season this year. Also, my bet is that Stratis will go farther, and Sims will shave.
Now, I might sound a little hypocritical, again, but I do admire what Kenny did. His story about kidney donors is very closely linked to ANW which I think is important for bios. Most of them are about losing loved ones, battling illnesses, recovering from illnesses, or honorary runs for special people. While I think that is all fine, they are very personal things. Inspiration comes from sharing your struggles, and I realize for some of these people, they are impacting someone's life more greatly than I'll ever know or relate to. ANW is also about fighting and healing and motivation and comebacks, and we definitely see a great deal of that. Kenny is a little different because ANW came before the life changing event. He didn't compete on ANW because of something. Rather, because of ANW something happened. I think that is one of the best ANW stories they should use. It's like the poster story for bios and back stories. It's also great because Kenny actually finished, and the victory just adds to the cause. They also ran the story while he was on the course and then cut back to him mid run, which is nice because the back half is more exciting in the Finals than the front which we've already seen and know he can do.
Now, as far as Drew and Jessie go. We all know they both had strength for days when they reached the Stair Hopper. Both were so relaxed and had done the first 8 obstacles with perfect ease. One slid forward and one slid back, but, unfortunately, both got wet. We also know they would have climbed the Spider Trap in a nano second and could have easily been the 4th and 5th finishers. However, we can't ignore the fact that they did fall. It doesn't, honestly, change their potential, let's call it, in Vegas. Neither of them are any less amazing than they were before, and they still have the best shot in Vegas over anyone else. Also, as both of them mentioned to Kristine, they knew they had fuel left in the tank, and they're returning to Vegas which is the most important thing. It definitely stung for both of them to walk away wet, but hopefully they stay dry in Vegas. Both of them are still some of the absolute best ninjas the world as to offer, and both of them are still on my top list. If Drew does win it all this year, he won't have a perfect record, though. Hopefully, there are no glitches in Vegas because last night still proved that they can mess up, and in Mt. Midoriyama, it will be over. It's really hard to say with these two. Both were a total shock last year in their early exits. Both are phenomenal, and people expect a lot out of them. There are only two outcomes: they fall or they win it all. Drew has not won it all, yet, so while we think it is crazy for him to drop, it's more likely than him hitting 4 buzzers, as mean and pessimistic as that sounds. I love Drew, one of my favorites, makes this show what it is. I'm just stating the facts. It's like this with everyone, to be fair. Plus, we don't know, yet, how they have switched up Mt. Midoriyama. They may have made it harder, they may have made it easier, and like we saw last night, any obstacle at any point could mess people up. You only get one shot, and it could be something never before seen. For someone like Drew, we just don't know. Obviously, I hope he does well. If he wins it all, great. I really hope it's either him or Joe. If they keep the Wing Nuts I would love to see Jessie on them, too.
Looking at the list, I think R.J. Roman is the only rookie, correct me if I'm wrong, please. Nick Patel and Reko Rivera are familiar names to me. Not faces because they probably get skipped left and right, but the names sound right. Cothran, Craver, and Suchoki are some good ol' vets. Like I said last week, for the Finals I tend to have the most to say about the finishers and/or the big names. The people who rounded out the 15, I don't mean to diss or anything, I just don't have too much to say. Personally and honestly, I don't think most of them will go too far in Vegas. If you tank out in the city finals, you have even less of a chance taking on Stages 2-4, especially because it's all in one night. I do believe some of these guys will have a good season this year, but for now, it's hard to say, and I just don't have any predictions or thoughts, yet.
So, overall, Miami probably had the biggest shocks. I was surprised in L.A. by 9 finishers, but the list this week is even more shocking. I can't wait for next week. Tyler Yamauchi, Lorin Ball, Travis Rosen, and of course, Isaac Caldiero. Every eye will be on him next week and definitely if he returns to Vegas. I expect him to finish, but we'll see...
Comment which city you think has been the most challenging so far and who you're most excited to see from the cities coming up.
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